Barracudas (Horsham)

Barracudas

Inspection report for early years provision

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Barracudas

Unique Reference Number EY302426 Inspection date 10 August 2005 Inspector Jill Steer

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Barracudas

Setting Address Farlington School, Guildford Road, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 3PN Telephone number 01403 254967

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E-mail

Registered person Barracuda's 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 Activity Day Camp is one of 26 provisions run by Young World Leisure Group Ltd. It opened in 2005 and operates from Farlington School in Broadbridge Heath, Horsham. A maximum of 120 children, aged from 4 to under 8 years, may attend the facility at any one time. The Day Camp is open Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 18.00 during school summer holidays. Children have access to many of the classrooms within the school and the school grounds. On-site facilities also include the school sports hall, open-air heated swimming pool, drama room and enclosed school grounds for outdoor activities. The

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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 Day Camp takes children from the school and surrounding areas.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have many opportunities to play in the open air and participate in physical activities. They play team games such as football and rounders, which develop their co-ordination and large muscle skills. Children enjoy many of the activities outdoors, such as swimming, aqua slide and tennis, providing them with fresh air and exercise to enhance their wellbeing. When children become unwell they are made comfortable and cared for until their parents take them home. If they are infectious they do not attend, which helps prevent the spread of contagious illnesses. Children play in a clean environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. They know that washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating helps prevent the spread of germs. Children bring their own packed lunches, which ensures their individual dietary needs are met. They can buy further drinks and snacks from the tuck shop, however, they

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Helping children to be healthy

cannot help themselves to a drink whenever they want one. This means that children are not encouraged to manage their personal needs and may remain thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a welcoming and well maintained environment. They have access to a good range of equipment which is safe, appropriate for the activity, and suitable for their age and stage of development. There are very good procedures in place to ensure the children's safety, as staff undertake frequent and thorough risk assessments. This ensures that children have fun with a suitable and stimulating range of resources in a safely managed environment. Staff clearly and regularly explain the safety rules to the children, and close supervision minimises risks and maximises safety. For example, before every swimming session, children receive a talk about the rules around the pool, and there is a minimum of one lifeguard present at all times. Children therefore have a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe. A clear and comprehensive procedure monitors the safe collection of children, and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

ensures that they only go home with known adults. Staff training and understanding of child protection issues means that they know what action to take if they have concerns about a child, and can act in their best interest in order to protect them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities both indoors and out. Some are familiar to them, such as football and swimming, while others provide new challenges and experiences, such as fencing and video making. They are well supervised and supported by staff members, who are fully involved in the activities; this develops children's confidence and self-esteem. Children use their imaginations extremely well as they participate in drama sessions. They interact with their peers and adults equally well, speaking with confidence and showing very good co-operation and respect for one another; for example, as each child takes a role in representing the production of chocolate in a chocolate factory. Children are very happy and stimulated. They enjoy an extensive range of fun

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities and positive interaction with the staff, enabling them to make new friends within a happy and relaxed environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a sense of belonging in the club, as their individual needs and interests are respected by staff and they are given the freedom to make choices. They develop self-esteem as they voice their opinions and make decisions, such as which staff will face the weekly 'gunk tank'. There are systems in place to support children with additional needs, and most activities can be adapted to ensure all children can be included. Children behave well. They benefit from lots of praise and encouragement, given around a framework of ground rules which are consistently applied. They learn to share and take turns while playing group and team games. Staff encourage children to support each other; they learn to co-operate and negotiate to ensure everyone's opinion is heard and valued. Information is shared with parents through a weekly certificate of achievement, which is awarded to all children, detailing activities they have participated in. Opportunities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are made available for parents to speak to staff each day, which ensures consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organised and effective management of the club ensures all procedures are in place to safeguard children. Staff are suitably qualified and experienced to ensure that children's activities are well planned and supported at all times. A key worker system operates, which helps children develop good relationships with staff, aiding them to settle quickly into the club. Children are organised into groups according to age, and supported by the appropriate level of staffing to maintain required ratios.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The induction and training programme ensures that staff work together to implement the company's policies and procedures in a consistent manner. This helps them to create a stimulating environment in which children can have fun, enjoy and learn in safe surroundings. All regulatory documentation is maintained and stored securely to ensure confidentiality, whilst allowing easy access to children's records when necessary. Overall, the needs of the range of children attending are met.

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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 children have access to drinks at all times.

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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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