Barracudas

Barracudas Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St Albans AL4 9NX

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Inspection date 16 August 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Not Applicable

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The provision is good

n Children demonstrate that they feel exceptionally safe and secure in the welcoming environment that staff create. They confidently speak to authorised visitors about the exciting activities they have participated in and invite them to join in their play. n The highly qualified staff team inspires children to build on their understanding of a healthy lifestyle and the impact of exercise of their body. Following a music and movement session, children learn about how blood carries oxygen around their body. They assess how their heart rate has changed following exercise. n Staff provide a rich range of activities and experiences. Children express a keen interest in the building work being carried out on the premises. Staff make the most of this spontaneous event. Children observe the different types of construction vehicles and talk about why the builders need to use a range of materials for different purposes.

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The provision is good

n The management team strives for excellence and continuously reflects on the service the camp provides. It actively seeks the views of staff, children and parents. Good practice from other camps within the group is shared with staff daily. This helps to introduce new ideas and activities.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Staff do not consistently fully inform all parents about their children's achievements and the range of planned activities on offer in advance. n Occasionally, staff do not fully consider the needs of all children when planning sport activities to provide them with very good opportunities to take part.

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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

n extend the information provided to parents about their children's achievements and range of activities, to strengthen the link between home and the camp n review the arrangement of some planned sporting activities to inspire all children to join in.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the activities indoors and the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the camp manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and area manager of the camp. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the camp. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare or development. Risk assessments are used well to help reduce hazards. Staff deploy themselves well and have children's safety at the heart of everything they do. A robust induction system supports staff to be clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff receive good training opportunities. Recent training has increased staff's knowledge of safely introducing even more exciting outdoor activities. Staff receive regular supervision meetings with the management team. A collaborative approach is adopted to support staff to continue to build on their skills and knowledge. Parents comment that their children 'adore attending' the camp and it is clear that staff are 'very happy carrying out their roles'.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff create a strong sense of anticipation and excitement as they introduce activities to children. This motivates children to listen carefully. For example, they concentrate as they clap their hands together and on different parts of their body to copy a rhythm. Children eagerly take turns to be the 'rhythm master' and make up their own rhythm. They move their bodies with control and coordination in response to the different tempos of music. Children explore the texture of clay with their hands. They discover how to use water effectively to create a smooth surface. Children use their vivid imaginations to mould the clay. They respond well to staff's use of questioning and describe the intricate features of their models and why they have added such detail. Children thoroughly enjoy challenging activities. They persevere to build a tower out of paper and various structures using marshmallows and dried spaghetti.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The qualified and highly experienced staff team shows that it has an excellent understanding of helping children to build on their key skills. Staff place a very high priority on supporting children's personal development. They are excellent role models and children's behaviour is exemplary. Children show that they have the utmost respect for each other and build exceptionally strong friendships within a short period. They recognise and praise each other for their achievements. Children show very high levels of independence for their age. They take great responsibility of their personal belongings and confidently assess their own risks. Staff invest time to build superb relationships with all children. Despite the relatively short period that children attend, key persons have a meticulous knowledge of children's interests and individual personalities, which they share with all staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501134 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10059785 Type of provision Out-of-school day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 4 - 14 Total number of places 200 Number of children on roll 121 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0845 123 5299

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reference number

Barracudas is one of 42 holiday activity day camps that is registered under Young World Leisure Group Limited. The St Albans camp registered in 2016. It is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm for four weeks during the summer school holidays, excluding bank holidays. There are 31 members of staff. Of these, ten hold level 3 qualification or above.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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