Hackney Holiday Scheme

In December 2022, children helping to choose outings and play resources gave Hackney Holiday Scheme its clearest character: holiday care shaped around their interests. Based at Benthal Primary School in Hackney, it has 50 places in total.

On 19 December 2022, the scheme met requirements, but no early years children were present, so the outcome did not assess the quality or impact of their experiences. That distinction matters when weighing the scheme: arrangements were examined, rather than daily care observed with young children attending.

In December 2022, the scheme’s approach gave children a say in both activities and outings. Their requests helped determine the resources staff selected and the visits they planned. This gives children an active role in shaping their holiday time.

The December 2022 arrangements divided children into two groups by age, with younger children also able to join older children’s play. The intention was to combine time with peers and opportunities to build confidence across ages.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children’s learning, development and care. For children, learning includes developing social skills through play with others; the scheme’s December 2022 arrangements supported peer play and included children’s interests in activity planning.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted recorded arrangements for regular safeguarding training, trained safeguarding leads and daily premises checks, alongside gathering information from families, schools and other professionals to support individual needs.

In December 2022, each child was allocated a key person responsible for settling and day-to-day care. This person also handled daily parent updates, giving families a consistent contact for discussing activities and concerns.

The December 2022 behaviour approach used clear expectations and encouragement, with staff explaining what needed to change when difficulties arose. Staff induction and a handbook set out how care should be organised. Feedback from children, parents and staff informed development plans, while targeted training addressed staff learning needs. Parents could also discuss everyday questions with staff.

The address is Benthal Primary School, Benthal Road, London, N16 7AU.

In December 2022, the scheme operated for two weeks over Easter and four weeks in the summer holidays. Opening hours were 8.45am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday. This was a holiday calendar, rather than a description of year-round nursery attendance.

Operating on school premises does not guarantee a Reception place at Benthal Primary School.

• Holiday planning. The December 2022 calendar covered Easter and summer. Which ages can attend, and what are the dates for your intended holiday?
• The inspection’s limits. No early years children attended during the December 2022 visit. The requirements-met outcome therefore gives a narrower assessment than an evaluation of children’s daily experiences.
• Children’s preferences. In December 2022, children helped choose outings and resources. This approach suits families who value children having a voice in their holiday activities.

Hackney Holiday Scheme’s December 2022 arrangements suited families seeking holiday provision with child-led activity choices and a consistent parent contact. Its December 2022 arrangements combined age-related play groups with opportunities to mix across ages. The central qualification is substantial: the inspection assessed arrangements while no early years children were present, so it cannot establish how those arrangements worked for them in practice.