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Ofsted rates Tower Hamlets summer holiday scheme as ‘good’

 

Extra places available for affordable holiday scheme for October half term.

Record attendance at summer holiday schemes.

Ofsted has rated a Tower Hamlets summer holiday scheme as good following an unannounced inspection last month.

On one of the busiest days of the summer programme, Ofsted visited as 230 children were attending the scheme, which also included two trips to the Mile End Water Festival and King Edward Memorial Park.

John Biggs Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Our summer holiday childcare scheme has served a record number of children as a result of the additional investment delivered in my budget this year. I’m proud of the holiday offer that we have been able to provide for families in the borough, helping to support families by providing this high quality, subsidised childcare provision.”

The holiday childcare scheme is Ofsted registered and provides affordable childcare for children aged 3 to 13 years old. The holiday provision takes place in the borough’s schools and operates during the school holidays (excluding the Christmas break).

The scheme also supports working parents who can book extended hours from 8am – 6pm, as well as the standard 9am – 5pm option.

A number of places are provided for children with special educational needs and disabilities and referrals of vulnerable children from social care, schools and other partner agencies.

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children’s Schools and Young People, said: “This is a great endorsement by Ofsted of our holiday childcare scheme. We will be reviewing the recommendations from Ofsted’s report and begin implementing these for our October holiday scheme where we will welcome even more children and families.”

The council service received an overall grade of good in all areas and the inspector was highly complementary of the scheme and the service provided.

Ofsted’s report found:

Staff provide a range of interesting and exciting activities, which means that children behave well and are fully engaged.

Staff are warm and caring; they take great efforts to form good attachments with children in each key group. Children settle well and feel confident to make friends and are helpful to each other.

The setting is highly inclusive, and leaders work extensively to provide additional support to families who have children with special educational needs.

Safeguarding is effective. Leaders have robust systems in place, which means that staffs know how to identify children who may be at risk of harm or abuse.

Children share their ideas and suggestions to help staff plan daily activities and make changes to the learning environment.

Staff have high expectations for behaviour and model good behaviour well. Therefore children show kindness and respect to each other and are able to manage their own emotions.