Barracudas (Welwyn)

Barracudas Activity Camp Sherrardswood School, 3 Lockleys, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL6 0BJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 April 2015 17 August 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The quality of teaching is good. Staff provide an exciting range of activities and learning opportunities. These engage children's interest and complement their knowledge and understanding. Children integrate successfully with a wide range of ages. This means that younger children are inspired by the abilities of the older children.  Children's confidence and physical skills are highly prioritised through an extensive choice of activities. All ages participate in exciting new challenges, such as motor sports, team and group sports. Children's ideas and creativity are supported through making rockets, pirate ships and by individually creating pictures, posters and models to display around their age-appropriate base rooms.  The manager and staff have high aspirations and they strive to deliver high-quality learning experiences for children. They are very effective in accurately monitoring and evaluating the already good practice. This enables the group to identify and meet

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This provision is good

children's needs very well.  Regular training and monitoring of staff ensures that children's welfare and safeguarding are prioritised while teaching children how to manage risks safely.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, staff do not use open-ended questions or give children the time to think and respond in their own way.  Children are not always made aware of the health hazards that storing their lunch boxes in direct sunlight may have on their food.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 increase the careful use of questions and give children sufficient time to think and respond with their own ideas  ensure that all food and drink are stored and transported safely.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to, and interacted with, a selection of staff and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at the environment, resources and equipment provided and how effectively they are used to support children's play and learning.  The inspector examined a selection of information and documentation relating to the suitability of adults, children's safeguarding, welfare and progress.  The inspector toured all areas indoor and outdoor and discussed staff performance and monitoring with the manager.

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who attend. This is good

The enthusiastic staff team provide high-quality activities and they complement the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively. They gather information from the parents and the children about what they like and can do. In addition, any areas of learning with which they need additional help with are discussed. For example, some parents request additional help with scissor skills for their children. This is effectively incorporated into the activities for the children. Children benefit from an extensive range of activities, which are mostly based around their physical skills. For example, they learn archery skills and are well tutored on using an electric go-cart. As a result, children develop high levels of confidence and they are very well motivated. Children's ideas, views and opinions are valued and they proudly decorate their base rooms, which gives them a sense of responsibility and belonging.

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good

The staff are friendly and welcoming, which enables them to form appropriate bonds and attachments with the children. Care practices are good and children display good levels of confidence and emotional well-being. They display appropriate levels of personal independence and social skills. The exciting activities on offer provide children with the self-motivation to follow the rules to enjoy the activities and equipment safely. As a result, children's behaviour is impeccable. Effective links with parents ensure that children's care routines and well-being are supported. Children are well supervised and learn good safety habits, which gives them skills to enable them to move on to full time school with confidence. Staff are clear and confident about the action they would take if they have any concern about children's health, safety and welfare.

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provision is good

Senior managers in the group headquarters oversee the manager and staff. Regular staff observations and evaluations keep the activities fresh. These are effectively linked to the requirements for early years children. Staff are well supervised and ongoing training is given throughout the sessions. This enables them to continue to provide complementary teaching for children. All staff are employed through a robust recruitment and induction process. They are mentored by experienced staff and continue to expand their own understanding. Risk assessments are carried out regularly and any hazards are addressed as soon as they become evident. For example, staff minimise the risk of their own hot drinks near children by providing themselves with a suitable staff break area. The manager and staff deliver the safeguarding and welfare requirements to a good level. All staff, children and parents' views are sought in evaluating the activities and sessions

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provision is good

provided. As a result, the group adapts the activities and equipment to meet the needs, requests and ideas which have been highlighted through successful self-evaluation.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY257417 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 992061 Type of provision Out of school provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 200 Number of children on roll 120 Name of provider Young World Leisure Group Limited Date of previous inspection 17 August 2009 Telephone number 0845 123 5299

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Setting details

Barracudas Activity Camp is one of 27 activity camps run by Young World Leisure Group Limited. It was registered in 2007. The group employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and the remaining staff are training as teachers and sports coaches. The group opens from Monday to Friday during the Easter and summer school holidays. Sessions are from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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