Barracudas (Chislehurst)

Farringtons and Stratford (Barracudas)

Inspection report for early years provision

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Farringtons and Stratford (Barracudas)

Unique Reference Number EY303249 Inspection date 16 August 2006 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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Farringtons and Stratford (Barracudas)

Setting Address House School, Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 6LR

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E-mail

Registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Out of School care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Barracudas Summer Activity Camp operates from Farringtons and Stratford school in Chislehurst and was registered in 1995. The group opens Monday to Friday during the summer holidays from 08:00 until 18:00. Children have use of a sports hall, classrooms, indoor and outdoor courts, swimming pool and playing fields. The group is registered to provide care for 120 children aged from 4 years to under 8 years. There are currently 84 children on roll. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group accepts children with disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. 12 full-time staff work with the children. More than half the staff including the manager have appropriate qualifications. Staff have access to training courses

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and support services run by Barracudas.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is promoted through adults encouraging good hand washing routines. Children are taken in small groups to use the bathroom between sessions, so that whole group supervision is maintained. Children's health is protected through those who are sick or infectious being excluded from the camp. Parents of children who are feeling unwell, are contacted immediately to collect their children. Good procedures are in place to deal with emergency situations, including trained first aiders and life guards, promoting children's welfare. Good records are kept, supporting and safeguarding children's health and welfare. Children have excellent opportunities to develop physical skills, because they are regularly engaged in outdoor games, such as basket ball and tennis. They are encouraged to enjoy an active life-style, because activities are interesting and stimulating both inside and outside and include trampolining and archery. Adults

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Helping children to be healthy

show a good deal of enthusiasm, which motivates children to participate fully in the activities on offer, helping them to enjoy exercise. Children have drinks regularly, so that they remain hydrated following physical activity. Breaks are scheduled between sessions, so that children can enjoy further drinks and snacks. The tuck shop offers a range of sweets but also some healthy options and choices such as fruit.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and move around the premises safely, because the physical environment is very well arranged to meet their needs, including good use of red and white hazard tape to mark boundaries. Children are confident walking across to different locations and facilities, because direction and room signs are clearly displayed. Adults are vigilant and supervise children very closely, helping to keep them safe and protected from hazards. Equipment and apparatus are safe and well maintained, because good risk assessment and safety procedures are followed diligently. Children learn how to use equipment safely and appropriately, because adults are very good at explaining and demonstrating to the children, the purpose and correct use of these resources. Children are kept safe and protected should there be a fire, because they know how to respond to emergency evacuation of the premises and adults know how to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

respond to child protection concerns, should they arise. Strong leadership and management is ensuring all adults working directly with children, plan, prepare and supervise sports activities with a high regard to safety. Children clearly understand the importance of safety rules, helping them to enjoy new experiences and challenges without endangering themselves or others. Children are very capable of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 using a wide range of equipment, including art and craft resources, in a safe and appropriate manner, although some items such as scissors, are not readily available to them, limiting their play and learning opportunities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and purposefully occupied throughout the day, because a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities are available, for example fencing, basketball, aqua slide and art and crafts. Sessions are well balanced, so that children enjoy choices both inside and outside. Adults engage in a variety of different sports and team games with the children, helping to sustain their interest and enjoyment. Adults explain clearly and also demonstrate the rules of game, so that children know what to do. Children are divided into smaller groups for some activities, such as using the trampoline, so that they can receive more individual attention and closer supervision as required. Children enjoy a real sense of achievement, because adults are skilled in helping children get the most from an activity. For example, adults support children very well in practicing and developing basic skills, leading into a full game of basket ball. As

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the net is out of reach, the adult supervising the game, acts as the post, so that children throw and the adult catches the ball to score a goal. Children also enjoy sense of achievement in art and crafts. They have the opportunity to make something from scratch and produce an end product to take home at the end of the session. The range and supply of resources in the art room is somewhat limited, so that the quality of children's creative experiences are reduced. Adults are attentive to children's care needs and respond well to these, for example ensuring children take warm clothes for sitting outside while having their morning break. Adults are creative and innovative in their management of groups, so for example, forming lines and moving around the sports hall following the court markings, is fun for the children, while safe and orderly. Children have good opportunities during breaks in the session and over the lunch period to socialise, mix

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

with their friends and spend time with brothers and sisters. Children spend time in small groups along side activities, listening to stories, so they are refreshed and rested.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Adults support and encourage children very well, so that they participate fully in the range of activities available. Boys and girls are fully encouraged to develop skills in the range of sports on offer, because adults avoid gender stereotyping. Inclusion is promoted by ensuring a good ratio of adults to children. For example, this enables weak and non-swimmers to have equal access to swimming pool activities. Left handed children are able to use scissors for craft activities, because left handed scissors are available in the art room. Children with disabilities and specific needs are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 made welcome and integrate well in the setting, because a good level of supervision is provided. Some good written information is available to parents about the camp activities, so that they can make informed decisions about suitability for their children. Good records are kept of children's individual needs and parents requests for intensive, 1:1, sessions. Adults adapt and respond well to children's presenting abilities, so that individual needs are met. Parents are kept well informed of children's welfare in the setting, for example, any accidents that may occur, promoting a partnership approach to children's care. Parents are not being informed however, of the presence in the setting of child with nut allergy, so they can ensure suitable packed lunches are provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the setting, so that all children take part and enjoy activities, in a way that helps them feel good about themselves. Children are friendly, chatty and sociable, because adults help children to develop positive relationships. Adults look out for any children sitting alone and introduce them to others, so they get to make friends. Certificates are presented for good behaviour, positive attitudes and contribution to the group or activity, along side sports achievements, building children's confidence and promoting self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Adults are properly vetted, ensuring they are suitable to work with children. Any assistants aged 17 years and workers awaiting references, are directly supervised, safeguarding the children. Adults working with children are warm and caring, enabling children to form positive relationships. The group is very well lead and skilfully managed by a qualified and experienced teacher, ensuring all children's activities are safely and appropriately supervised. All the activities, such as trampolining, archery and swimming, are organised with safety in mind. The camp manager has a real presence in the setting and continually moves around the site, supporting and encouraging both the children and the adults working with them. A good range of team games are organised so that children are purposefully occupied while waiting for turns on the main equipment in the sports hall. The organisation of the art and craft session is less effective than the sports activities,

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Organisation

because group sizes are too large for the range of resources available for sharing. Arrangements for outdoor swimming sessions entail some children sitting and waiting in wet costumes, so they become cold and shivery on cooler days. The schedule of activities is well balanced, so that children have opportunities to be active both inside and outside. Good arrangements are made for children to have rest breaks between activities, so that they have opportunities for drinks and snacks as required. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure there are sufficient resources for creative activities • follow the camp's procedures for informing parents about nut allergy • review the arrangements for outdoor swimming sessions

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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