Hampstead Community Centre Playscheme

Inspection of Hampstead Community Centre Playscheme Fitzjohn's School, 86a Fitzjohn's Avenue, London NW3 6NP

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This provision meets requirements

Children enjoy a welcoming and supportive environment, where they quickly settle into well-established routines. From arrival, children confidently self-register using their unique numbers. They show a clear understanding of the day's structure. Staff encourage children to take responsibility by involving them in tasks, such as tidying up. Older children often support younger ones. For example, they carry their mats and set up picnic-style lunches. Children are kind, independent and cooperative.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff celebrate children's backgrounds and languages through creative activities. For example, they make multilingual welcome posters and flags that represent children's countries of origin. This helps all children to feel valued and included. Staff work closely with parents and carers to learn key phrases in children's home languages. This supports children's communication and helps them to have a sense of belonging in the club. Staff support children with additional needs, including those with allergies and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), well through individual care plans and partnerships with external specialists. This ensures children's safe and inclusive participation in all activities.

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This provision meets requirements

Children take part in a wide range of stimulating outings and play experiences, including kayaking, bowling and visits to farms with playgrounds designed to support children with SEND. These activities support children's social skills, teamwork, physical development and understanding of the world around them. Staff plan activities carefully, always prioritising children's safety and well-being.

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need to do better?

n Leadership and management are strong and well organised. The provider uses regular self-evaluation, involving staff and parents, to reflect on and improve the club. Staff's training is up to date, especially in safeguarding, first aid and supporting children with additional needs. This helps children to have safe and high-quality experiences. n Leaders work closely with specialists and local authority teams to support children with SEND and specific needs. They complete detailed risk assessments and make tailored adjustments to ensure that all children access activities safely. This helps children to feel included, confident and able to fully enjoy the experiences on offer. n Children's well-being is a clear priority for staff throughout the day. They supervise children closely to ensure that they are safe, happy and settled in the environment. Staff encourage healthy eating by checking children's packed

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need to do better?

lunches and discussing healthy food choices with children. They support

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need to do better?

7 August 2025 children's social development through positive interactions and structured play that builds their friendships and confidence. n Parents are very positive about the club. They appreciate how staff gather key information to help their children to settle quickly and feel comfortable. Parents say their children enjoy attending the club and are always excited to return. n Staff are especially responsive to the needs of younger children. They provide gentle support as children learn to share, take turns and work with others. This caring approach strengthens children's social skills and helps them to form positive relationships. n Staff support children's personal development through warm and respectful relationships. They listen to children's ideas and follow their interests. For example, when children show an interest in clay, staff offer guided activities to create models, such as spaceships. This inclusive approach helps children to feel

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need to do better?

valued. n Staff skilfully guide children in using tools safely, such as scissors and hot glue guns. For example, during a group project to build a large model of a giraffe, staff provided clear instructions and close supervision. This support helps children learn to manage risks, work collaboratively and take pride in their creativity. n Staff feel supported and enjoy working at the club. They create a warm and caring environment for children. Leaders work closely with the provider to ensure robust safer recruitment. They have clear induction processes in place for new staff. n Staff provide a calm outdoor space, where children explore books and comics independently. They encourage careful handling and support children's early literacy. This quiet area helps children to develop focus and regulate their emotions. Older children often share stories with younger ones. As a result, children build confidence and enjoy reading.

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need to do better?

n Children develop their gross motor skills with confidence. For example, they use the adventure playground safely. Staff encourage children to take part in ball games, such as football and tennis, to build teamwork and children's coordination and resilience.

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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 EY262532 Local authority Camden Inspection number 10392343 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 48 Number of children on roll 134 Name of registered person Hampstead Community Action Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0207 794 8313 Date of previous inspection 16 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Hampstead Community Centre Playscheme registered in 2003. It is independently run and operates from Fitzjohn's School in the London Borough of Camden during the summer holidays. It is open between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. The club employs 10 permanent members of staff. Of these, five staff hold suitable qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 5.

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Inspection activities

n Leaders showed the inspector around the club. They discussed how they keep children safe and plan activities for children. n Parents, staff and children shared their views of the club with the inspector. n Leaders showed the inspector relevant documentation. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during the inspection. n Leaders engaged in a meeting with the inspector to discuss the leadership and management of the club.

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Inspection activities

7 August 2025 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

7 August 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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