Play scheme celebrates ‘Good’ Ofsted rating

Teignbridge’s childcare play scheme Teign Starz is celebrating a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.

The Ofsted inspection took place on July 26 2016 at Dawlish Leisure Centre.

The centre has been working hard to achieve good grades with the help of the childcare team led by Abby Warren, Lindsey Thorne and Karen Bush.

Ofsted’s report praised ‘kind and friendly’ staff who ‘chat and share jokes’ with children and children show ‘genuine affection’ towards staff members. The report also said staff are ‘good role models’ and children make friends easily and settle in well.

Teign Starz is play scheme that provides children aged 3 – 13 years of age with fun and educational activities at an affordable rate for their parents. It opens daily during school summer and Easter holidays, and during some half-term breaks.

Some of the exciting indoor and outdoor activities available include mini-Olympics, parachute games, swimming, Disney song-offs, bouncy castles and building dens.
It achieved a Good rating across the board for effectiveness of the leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and personal development, behaviour and welfare.

Key findings are:

• Since the last inspection, management and staff have worked hard to improve the provision and practice. Good leadership and management arrangements ensure that staff meets children’s needs effectively at all times.

• Children are happy and participate in a wide range of activities. Staff involve children with the running of the club and encourage them to contribute ideas and to the planning of activities.

• Staff are kind and friendly. They chat and share jokes with children. Children show genuine affection towards staff and are pleased to see them.

• Partnership working is good. Staff share information about children’s achievements with parents and teachers. This supports children’s well-being and development both at home and at the club.

You don’t have to be a member of the leisure centre to take part in any of the summer activities available, everyone is welcome to come along and have fun in a safe, supervised atmosphere.

There are certainly plenty of positives to be taken from the report and Teignbridge is now taking steps to action the improvements recommended and aim for an outstanding result from Ofsted.

Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Recreation & Leisure said: “We are delighted with this inspection result. The team have been working tirelessly to improve the service and this ‘good’ rating is a terrific boost to the staff. Their efforts were recognised and applauded by the inspectors.

“With Team GB’s great success at the Rio Olympics and our Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards just around the corner, this news comes at the perfect time for this popular leisure centre.

“There are all sorts of activities for children throughout the final days of the school holidays, helping out busy parents and keeping energetic youngsters participating in social sports and activities.”

Cllr Ted Hockin, Teignbridge Ward Member for Dawlish Central and North East said: “This report matches exactly what I hear from the general public, the atmosphere is superb and children love it and want to return. This in turn encourages people of all ages to use the facilities and helps keep people fit and healthy. A good result, well done to our staff and keep it up you are setting the standard.”