Hardwick B & A Club

Inspection of Hardwick B & A Club c/o Hardwick Primary School, Steward Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2PW

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Met

Previous inspection Not Met (with actions)

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This provision meets requirements

Children show confidence and enthusiasm as they eagerly choose from a selection of resources and equipment to play with. Children are keen to let off steam after a school day and enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air. They consistently show positive behaviour and good manners during their play and are happy to take turns and share the resources with each other. Older children provide leadership and support to younger children, enhancing the skills and confidence for both. For example, when children work together to build a large wheel out of connective shapes, they learn the value of working together as a team. They giggle and laugh as they push the wheel up the hill successfully together. Children comment that their best part of coming to the club is making new friends and the amazing art and crafts opportunities.

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This provision meets requirements

The professional and caring staff safely collect children from their classroom and older children make their own way to the club. When children arrive, they hang up belongings and initiate washing their hands before sitting for snack. Friendly and attentive staff are always on hand to support young children to learn these daily routines. Consequently, new children settle swiftly and feel safe and content at the club because they know what expected of them.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the management team have ensured that Ofsted have been notified of all new committee members to ensure necessary suitability checks can be completed. The management team show professionalism and dedication to improve. For example, they have reviewed and tightened their recruitment policies and procedures. This ensures the safety and well-being of children at the club. n Staff use children's interests to help them test their physical limits. For example, staff encourage and guide children to ascend the rope ladder on the climbing frame, to rescue the toy dinosaur they place at the top. Children proudly say, 'I got it.' When staff praise them for using an excellent climbing technique, this genuine and meaningful praise boosts children's confidence and self-esteem. n The manager and staff have a reciprocal and highly effective relationship with teachers at the host school. Staff gather useful information from parents and

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need to do better?

children's teachers to support children before starting the club. As a result, staff can tailor learning experiences and environments that ensure all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), have full access to the engaging and wide variety of resources. n Mealtimes and snack times are calm, well organised and sociable. Children enjoy healthy meals, tailored to their dietary needs, from a carefully planned menu.

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need to do better?

26 September 2025 Staff use mealtimes to support children's understanding of healthy eating habits and provide healthy snacks, such as fruit. Parents report how their children are starting to eat more fruits and vegetables at home because they have tried and liked them at the club. n Staff show clear enjoyment being in the company of children. They are often invited into children's play, and their fun-loving interactions portray how they love their job. n During children's play, staff spend time with individual children and really get to know them. Children enjoy engaging in discussions and telling staff what they are looking forward to doing at the weekend with their family. The environment promotes identity and inclusion. For example, staff use wall displays that show children's achievements at the club. However, staff do not always fully consider how they could use available resources and children's first-hand experiences to

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need to do better?

celebrate and broaden children's understanding of their own and different cultures. n The management team and staff complete mandatory training, including paediatric first aid and safeguarding. Additional in-house training and regular supervision sessions help staff to understand their roles and responsibilities of keeping children safe. Children demonstrate a very good understanding of how to stay safe. For example, they always inform an adult if they need to go to the toilet when they are playing outdoors. n Parents applaud excellent communication from staff about all aspects of their children's time at the club. Parents describe the trusting relationships they have built with all staff and comment on how much their children look forward to attending the club.

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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 961777 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10378310 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 24 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Hardwick B & A Club Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07858 471676 Date of previous inspection 18 November 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Hardwick B & A Club registered in 2001 and is located in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The club employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold playwork qualifications at level 3. All other staff have appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The club opens Monday to Friday, during school term time. Sessions are from 7.45am until 8.50am, and from 3.15pm until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a tour of the club, both indoors and outdoors, and reviewed how they ensure the club is safe and organised. n The inspector had several discussions with the management team to explore how the club is led and managed. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents and carers shared their views of the club with the inspector. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the club.

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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

26 September 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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