Opening hours
Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 9:00 am; Monday - Friday: 2:45 pm - 6:15 pm (Term time only)
The Cookie Club Wilshere Dacre
Ofsted: Met
(Mar 2022)
Number of places
36 places
Age range
4–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2022
Local authority
Hertfordshire
About this day nursery
The Cookie Club is a family-run childcare provider established in 2004, offering before and after-school care for primary school-aged children from 4 to 11 years old. Initially founded by Sheila to provide affordable, safe, flexible, and fun childcare outside of regular school hours (9 am to 3 pm), the club has since expanded due to increasing demand.
It now operates across six schools within the Hitchin area, with clubs located on three school sites. The Cookie Club prioritises creating a welcoming, secure, and stimulating environment that fosters children's well-being, learning, and development through play.
They incorporate individual needs, current interests, and feedback to ensure children feel supported, can thrive, and enjoy their time. The club adheres to legislation and guidelines from the Department for Education and local authorities, undergoing regular Ofsted inspections to maintain a safe, fun, and nurturing environment while meeting all required regulations.
They provide a friendly atmosphere where children are safe, have fun, develop skills, and make friends. Following Playwork Principles, children can freely choose from a wide range of activities and resources, including crafts, games, construction, messy/sensory play, investigative play, technology, cookery, and reading.
Staff also assist with homework or reading. After-school sessions include a snack on arrival, followed by activities, and a light tea served between 4:30 pm and 4:45 pm from a seasonal menu, with drinking water always available.
Children are encouraged to continue with games and activities until collection.
Our ethos
We strive to create a welcoming, safe and stimulating environment that promotes children’s welfare, learning and development in a fun, play-based setting; incorporating children’s individual needs, current interests and feedback to ensure they feel secure and supported to develop, thrive and have fun. Our clubs follow the Playwork Principles, so children are free to choose activities and resources as they wish.
What it's like
Children arrive happy and settle quickly into activities at the club. Staff calmly speak to children and establish what is wrong and offer them the opportunity to choose a new or favourite activity to help improve their mood. Children show that they like being at the club and are inspired by activities such as marble-run building.
Family-runBefore and after-school carePlay-based learningOfsted inspectedSnacks and light tea provided
Pricing & funding
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Age range
4-11 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Session types
Before school, After school
Food
Snacks and a light tea are provided.
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for The Cookie Club Wilshere Dacre
Last inspected 2 March 2022 · Alison Reeves
Overall effectiveness
Met
What it's like to attend
Children arrive happy and settle quickly into activities at the club. Staff calmly speak to children and establish what is wrong and offer them the opportunity to choose a new or favourite activity to help improve their mood. Children show that they like being at the club and are inspired by activities such as marble-run building.
Inspector highlights
- Staff focus on supporting children to continue to build on their social skills.
- Children's creativity is encouraged through activities like ice-sculpting and painting.
- Leaders report positive relationships with schools and other professionals to support children and families.
- Children benefit from time outdoors in the fresh air where they can move freely and play organised games.
- Children behave well at the club and are kind to one another.
Areas to develop
- 1There is scope to enhance the induction process for new staff to help them feel even more confident in their role.
Inspection #10126185 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents state that they are happy with the club.
They say that staff are friendly and supportive and that they understand the children and make every effort to work with them to help children enjoy their time and to behave well.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Any child identified as needing a little support is quickly offered one-to-one time with staff to help them overcome any worries. Leaders and other professionals share important information about children to ensure they understand children's needs and any concerns that need to be monitored.
Outdoor space
Children benefit from time outdoors in the fresh air where they can move freely and play organised games. Staff arrange gardening activities and children have been successful in growing plants in window boxes.
Parent Reviews of The Cookie Club Wilshere Dacre
5.0
(1)
Abi Beynon
2 years ago
My children have thrived at Cookie Club after school care for the last two years. The team are interested in the children and provide good feedback of how their session has gone each day. I love the board telling me everything they’ve eaten or done, it gives some great talking points for after pick up! Thank you everyone for your wonderful care and thoughtfulness towards the children!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for The Cookie Club Wilshere Dacre. See all on Google Maps
Frequently asked about The Cookie Club Wilshere Dacre
About the setting
The Cookie Club was registered in 2013. It is one of three out-of-school clubs run by the provider. The club employs eight members of staff, three of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The manager has a childcare qualification at level 5. The setting is open Monday to Friday in term time only, with sessions from 7.30am to 8.45am and from 3pm to 6.15pm.
- URN
- EY472328
- Registered person
- The Cookie Club Limited
- Day care type
- Out-of-school day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
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