Barracudas (Norwich)

Barracuda's Summer Activity Camp

Inspection report for early years provision

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Barracuda's Summer Activity Camp

Unique Reference Number 257873 Inspection date 16 August 2005 Inspector Lesley Gadd

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Barracuda's Summer Activity Camp

Setting Address 95 Newmarket Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 2HU

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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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The Young World Leisure Group provides a range of Barracuda Activity Day Camps at many different venues. The Norfolk scheme opened in 2002 and is run from a central Norwich venue, using the sports hall, art and craft rooms, halls, swimming pool, tennis courts and the playing fields. The scheme has the use of eight classrooms as base rooms. The scheme is registered to care for up to 100 children aged from 4 to 8 years and above. There are currently 98 children aged under 8 years on roll. It is open from Monday to Friday with main activities starting at 08.45 until 17.15.There is an

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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 extended day club which parents can book open from 08:00 until 18:00. Children come from the local and wider area. The group welcomes children with special educational needs and who speak English as additional language The scheme employs 18 staff including 5 staff working with the children under 8. Several staff are qualified teachers, for those working with children under 8 years, 3 hold teaching or childcare qualifications. The company has also trained a range of staff within the team in sports related certificates, to enable the safe presentation of courses in archery, fencing and motor sports.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is well promoted as staff effectively implement a range of positive practises to ensure the nutritional, health and physical needs of the children are met. Children are cared for in a clean and warm environment where they and staff have established good hygiene routines to prevent the spread of infection. Children competently wash their hands before eating and remember to shower before swimming demonstrating their awareness and knowledge of the need for good personal hygiene habits to ensure their well being. Children's welfare is given excellent consideration by staff as robust procedures are in place to respond when children have accidents or become ill. The setting holds parent's contact numbers, first aid kits are readily available and staff are trained in emergency aid and administration of allergy medication. Children’s health and growth is keenly promoted through the availability of a varied

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Helping children to be healthy

snack diet and written information for parents' listing healthy lifestyle points such as eating a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit. The children are enthusiastic about the range of snacks available such as popcorn. They are offered a drink of water or squash indoors and particularly outside in hot weather, to keep themselves refreshed. The younger children demonstrate their independence well when helping themselves to unpack and eat their lunch. Children's dietary requirements are discussed with parents before they start to attend to ensure their individual preferences or requirements are met. Children enjoy socialising with their peers at lunch times and are able to talk about 'good' foods and body energy with staff. This helps to develop their awareness of healthy eating and exercise. All children enjoy a rich range of indoor and outdoor activities to develop their physical fitness and promote their good health. They are eager to take part in a well

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Helping children to be healthy

planned extensive range of activities throughout the day. Children competently demonstrate their physical abilities and show a healthy range of emotions when they kick a ball, chase with a lacrosse stick and cheer at their success, hit a flying tennis ball, crawl up a climbing wall, bounce on a trampoline, engage in fencing combat with a foam sword and smile with delight when facing down an opponent, hop and jive to music, slither and slide in drama and manoeuvre well around obstacles in the mini Olympics, whooping with excitement when they complete the course! Staff talk about

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Helping children to be healthy

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 importance of warming up and cooling down after exercise and children develop an awareness of the effects of exercise on their bodies, for example their hearts beat faster. Children's sense of well being is supported, as they are able to rest and relax with music when needing to recuperate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the scheme which gives high priority to safety matters. Staff are vigilant in their supervision of the children both indoors and outside. The scheme has excellent practises in place to monitor and maintain the standards in relation to children's safety, for example detailed risk assessments are completed twice daily within the scheme and further checked by visiting staff from head office, to identify and reduce potential hazards. Children move confidently and safely around the site enjoying their sense of freedom, but understand the clear boundaries that ensure their own protection, for example children know that safety helmets are needed to protect eyes when foam sword fencing takes place and that practising emergency evacuation routines helps them be prepared should there be a fire. Children enjoy a welcoming environment within the premises, where they can place

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

their bags and display their art and craft. This promotes a sense of belonging. Children are confident and keen to select from a range of high quality, safe, well maintained equipment, such as art materials, bats, sticks and balls. They are enthusiastic about the choices they make, for example. a child who chooses to sketch a 3D art picture with tissue paper, smiles with a sense of pride on completion. The setting carefully monitors the children's choices to ensure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children's welfare is very well promoted as the staff have a secure understanding of child protection procedures and comprehensive vetting procedures are completed on personnel. The staff complete training and discuss child protection policies as part of their induction training and the setting knows where to seek help if they are concerned about a child in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and very settled in a supportive and caring setting where relationships between children and staff are excellent. Children separate confidently from parents to familiar staff who greet children enthusiastically and there is an easy and informative exchange of information about the children's needs, such as clothing and suntan cream. All children show a strong sense of belonging as they know where to put their coats and bags in their base rooms. Children are valued as staff get down to their level physically and make time to involve themselves in the children's activities such as finding craft paper to complete an art picture.

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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 All children eagerly join in with a vibrant and challenging range of indoor and outdoor activities which are well planned by staff, who have appropriate experience and training. Children enthusiastically take part in opportunities to manoeuvre a ball in hockey, kick and dribble a ball in football, act out a scene in a chocolate factory drama, sing and dance rhythmically, take part in a mini Olympics with a variety of skills, navigate their way in a treasure hunt, control their bodies on a trampoline, balance on a trim track, dodge well and squeal with laughter during foam fencing combat, draw and paint with flair. Children are highly motivated and strive to demonstrate their developing skills well, encouraged by the infectious enthusiasm of staff, for example a child beams with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

delight as he finally catches a lacrosse ball after several attempts. They enjoy science activities and make new discoveries and connections with good questioning from staff to develop their thinking and knowledge, for example, finding out that paper aeroplanes fly better when consideration is given to design. Children confidently select their own activities, demonstrating their independence, and are developing their social skills as they take turns within games. Children benefit from the scheme's positive approach to supporting their confidence and gain many skills. Staff are based with a set age group of children getting to know what they like and where they can support children's development. Children's confidence and abilities are fostered by staff all the time with praise and stickers, raising their sense of self-esteem. When children finish attendance at the scheme they all receive a certificate outlining what activities they have taken part in and any

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

specific skills gained such as science, football or tennis, reaffirming their progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children receive a warm welcome and are very secure and confident within the scheme. Staff have excellent relationships with the children and are keen for them to have fun and develop their potential, sensitively encouraging all children to take part in the full range of activities. Children show their independence as they make choices about what colours are used to decorate their name boards and demonstrate their growing self esteem as they positively engage in the rich variety of challenges within activities such as the mini Olympics. Children are very well behaved and polite. Staff are consistent when managing a wide range of behaviour to ensure children grasp a strong sense of right and wrong. Children enjoy each others company and take turns when playing games, responding well to the positive praise received from staff, fostering a climate of respect. All children play a full part in the scheme because the staff acknowledge and respect

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their individuality. Children with particular needs are very well supported, for example a child with a broken leg is able to join in a running game of duck, duck, goose as she is pushed around by staff in her wheelchair, a child who has English as a second language is well supported by staff who know key words to foster his understanding of game rules. Children with day passes are fully integrated into the scheme and are introduced to the groups of children they join. A piece of each child's art and craft

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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 work is displayed in their base rooms, giving a sense of value to all children. An effective partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's well being. Parent's views about their children's health and care needs are actively sought at the point of inquiry and on arrival at the scheme before children attend. Parents are provided with verbal daily feedback on their children's day and a weekly letter gives further detail on specific activities such as water fight, theme dressing up day and finale barbecue and talent show. Parents receive good quality information about the scheme and they, alongside the children themselves are asked to complete questionnaires to enable the scheme to review its practice. Parents feel able to comment on all aspects of the service and speak very positively about the scheme,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

particularly about the high quality activities their children enjoy and the attentiveness of staff.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced by strong organisation and the outstanding commitment and dedication of the fully qualified manager and staff team. Children's needs are a priority within this high quality provision which is committed to ongoing improvement of its service. Children's needs are very well met and they are positively supported in their care and activities as the staff team maintain good adult to child ratios, show a respectful regard for the wellbeing of all children and plan their time well. Children are confident within the scheme's setting and have good facilities to ensure they can play, be active, recuperate and eat in comfort. The scheme regularly reviews its practice to maintain its excellent standards of care for the children. All staff are vetted and have relevant qualifications and experience. The manager carries out evaluations of every member of staff, risk assessments are

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Organisation

monitored frequently and questionnaires are sent out to parents and children. Staff meetings take place and all staff attend a two day in-house training programme before the summer camp commences. All documentation is comprehensive and supports the good practice of a knowledgeable and highly skilled manager and his staff team. They consistently give utmost priority to protecting all children, promoting their well-being and supporting all to develop their potential.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that additional opportunities were provided for parents to be welcomed into the setting and share information about their children. Since the last inspection the setting has made good progress on addressing the above point. The scheme has developed two formal opportunities for parents to complete written detail about their children's diet, medical or personal care needs when registering initially and on arrival at the scheme, where staff organise themselves and ensure senior staff are available to speak with parents to confirm

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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 details and ensure children's individual welfare is appropriately supported. A notice board is displayed by the arrival and departure area which lists the activities that have taken place during the day and staff ensure they are free to speak with individual parents, ensuring they are informed about the children's day. In addition parents receive a letter giving details of specific events such as a theme day and talent show to ensure they have time to prepare the children and involve themselves in these events if they wish.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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