Micklem After School Club

Inspection of Micklem After School Club Micklem Jmi School, Boxted Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2QH

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This provision meets requirements

Children have access to a variety of stimulating and age-appropriate activities and resources at their after-school club. They play a key role in planning their play experiences, joining in planning discussions and providing feedback about activities. Staff monitor popular activities and create engaging opportunities based on children's interests. For example, children look forward to competing in football matches with the dedicated setting sports coach.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff organise the environment well, providing children with a wealth of activities and resources that support their differing interests and needs. Children enjoy completing themed crafts as well as experimenting with arts and craft materials. Those who are feeling more energetic explore the vast outdoor area, where they can join in team games or navigate the age-appropriate climbing equipment. Staff understand that children may be tired after a busy day at school. They consider children's emotional well-being by providing quiet spaces for them to relax, chat with friends and enjoy more sedate activities.

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This provision meets requirements

Children form close relationships with staff, who engage well with them during play. Staff chat with children about their latest hobbies and interests and show genuine enthusiasm. Children attending different schools develop close friendships with one another. They wait in anticipation for their friends to arrive and are swift to establish games together.

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need to do better?

n Children are familiar with the routines in the after-school club and follow them well. They arrive in an orderly manner and place their bags and water bottles away safely. Children understand the need to wash their hands before helping themselves to a healthy, light snack before clearing their plates and cups away. n Staff communicate with parents by sharing information verbally about children's time in school and at the club. Leaders send out termly newsletters, reflecting on children's activities and experiences at the club and provide them with photographs. This gives parents a deeper insight into the time children spend at the club. n Partnerships with the host school are strong. Staff collect younger children from their classrooms and share information about children's time at school. Staff use this information to provide additional support for children where appropriate. Leaders communicate well with staff from other schools children attend, sharing

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need to do better?

pertinent information regarding children's well-being and behaviour. n Staff are knowledgeable about their responsibility to keep children safe. All staff complete regular paediatric first-aid training within the required time scales.

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need to do better?

2 July 2025 They conduct regular risk assessments of all areas of the after-school club and supervise children well during activities. For example, staff use a radio system to communicate with one another during sessions. n Generally, children behave well. They enjoy playing team games and sports together. For example, children organise football matches with sports coaching staff. When staff identify concerns regarding children's behaviour, leaders are swift to act. They establish clear setting rules and create contracts, where children commit to displaying positive and appropriate behaviours. However, when children struggle following these agreements, staff are not consistent in recognising and responding to this. n Staff encourage children to be curious and follow their ideas and thoughts. For example, children create patterns with colourful chalks and flour. Staff encourage them to experiment mixing colours together and using different quantities of

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need to do better?

flour, exploring the different effects they can make. This encourages children to become absorbed in play and develops their critical thinking skills. n Children are all allocated a named member of staff, who is responsible for their well-being. This system works particularly well with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and early years children. These staff have a particularly strong understanding of their key children and their needs and are observed supporting children well during their time at the club. n Leaders are committed to supporting staff practice and well-being. They complete regular supervisions with staff to identify additional training needs. Staff have access to a wealth of online training opportunities to develop their knowledge further. Club leaders take on roles of expertise that they share with the staff at the provider's other settings. These close professional relationships

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need to do better?

enable leaders to evaluate the care they provide and better support the interests and meet the needs of children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2739937 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10399925 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 150 Name of registered person Good Shepherd After School Club Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01442 408964 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Micklem After School Club registered in 2023. It operates from Micklem Primary School, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Sessions are from Monday to Friday, 3.15pm to 6pm, during school term time. The provider also operates a holiday club at the setting from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. The club employs six members of staff.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and provider took a tour of the club. They discussed how the club is organised and the play opportunities provided for children. n The inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

2 July 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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