Barracudas (Letchworth)

Barracudas (Letchworth) St Christopher School, Barrington Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3JZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 July 2017 11 August 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The leadership and management team has made significant improvement to the club since their last inspection. For instance, they have enhanced the club's security, and adjustments to the staff induction process have further deepened all staff's understanding and knowledge of what to do if they have concerns about a child.  Staff provide children with plenty of choice when they arrive at the club. For example, those children who want to sit quietly and relax have space to do so. Others who want to be more physically active are able to be.  Children are extremely happy, settled and confident. They have exceptional relationships with staff and each other, which significantly benefit their emotional well- being and sense of belonging. Children arrive keen to find friends and play.  The management and leadership team has a good knowledge of recruitment and the steps to take to check that staff are suitable. They encourage staff to attend regular

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This provision is good

training courses online and at specified venues prior to the holiday sessions to support and extend their skills and knowledge.  The staff team works closely together, which helps to provide children with an enjoyable experience.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Procedures to seek information from parents regarding what they know about their child's interests, likes and dislikes before they begin at the club are not robust.  The leadership and management team has not considered the different ways to fully involve all parents as part of the club's self-evaluation process.

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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

 strengthen the strategies for parents to share information about their children's interests, abilities and likes before they start  build further on the systems that take account of parents' views on all aspects of the provision to contribute to plans for future improvement.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation and checked evidence of the staff's qualifications and suitability.  The inspector held discussions with the management about how it is moving the club forward.  The inspector observed staff and children interacting together during activities.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents to take into account their views on the service they receive.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a good understanding of their role in protecting children from harm and the wider safeguarding issues. They know what to do and who to report concerns to should they have any about a child's welfare. Staff have regular training and updates. The management follows thorough recruitment procedures that help ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff regularly check the club environment throughout the day to identify and mitigate possible risks to children. In addition, good adult-to-child ratios ensure supervision is very effective. The management and leadership team accesses training to improve their knowledge of early years. They are well able to support staff in observing and monitoring children's progress and development. Regular staff supervision meetings, assessments and annual appraisals help to ensure that staff are supported to provide a good service.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children as they play, they plan activities that reflect their interests that are carefully linked to the areas of leaning which offers support to their school learning. Staff feedback and discuss children's interests and accomplishment with parents during both the arrival and departure times. Children thoroughly enjoy swimming and moving freely between indoors and outside where they can choose to explore resources or play in a variety of group games. They enjoy having a go at tennis, football or archery. Staff promote children's imaginative play. For instance, they provide small-world play figures, play foods and dressing-up clothes to enhance children's role-play experiences. Children show good design skills as they make mini-beasts out of clay and sticks. They are provided with a good range of resources and materials, and enjoy drawing indoors, alongside mark making on the floor outside with coloured chalk. Children develop good

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

mathematical skills, as they count up how much fruit they have had each day and compare which days they ate the most.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff maintain excellent relationships with all children. Children are extremely motivated, happy, engaged and demonstrate a significantly high level of emotional well-being. Staff take time to get to know the children. They have an exceptional understanding of each child's needs, which helps new children to settle straight in. Staff are excellent role models. Children understand the staff's expectations and the club rules. Children are extremely respectful, thoughtful and kind towards each other. They have excellent manners and are very polite. Staff promote and discuss healthy foods and are aware of any special dietary requirements. Children enthusiastically engage in sports activities and learn about the importance of exercise. They thoroughly enjoy daily opportunities to go outside whatever the weather. Staff provide children with a very wide range of activities, which helps them to practise and extend their already excellent physical skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491826 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1084552 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 14 Total number of places 188 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 August 2016 Telephone number 0845 123 5299

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reference number

Barracudas (Letchworth) registered in 2015. The club employs 27 members of staff. Of these, the two managers hold qualified teacher status. The club opens for four weeks of the summer holidays from 8am until 6pm.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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