Barracudas Canterbury

Inspection of Barracudas Canterbury The Junior Kings School, Milner Court, Sturry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 0AY

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This provision meets requirements

Children are exceptionally settled in the calm and welcoming environment. They chatter away with friends and staff as they develop their friendship groups. Children are keen to join in with activities and take pride in their achievements. For instance, they congratulate their friends on how much the arena they have built out of wooden blocks looks like the one in the picture.

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This provision meets requirements

Children excitedly talk about their favourite activities at camp. The bouncy castle is a firm favourite. Children clearly explain the rules they need to follow to keep themselves and their friends safe at the camp. For example, they know how many children are allowed on the bouncy castle at any one time.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff provide children with an exceptional range of creative activities. The children show their imagination as they represent their ideas through a wide range of media and materials. For instance, children explore texture and develop their senses as they make sculptures out of clay. They are curious and eager to investigate, for example matching flags to countries before designing their own flags.

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This provision meets requirements

Children behave extremely well and are kind and caring to others. Staff plan activities to support new children to settle in the group. For instance, during a memory game, staff paired the children up to encourage all children to have a go at working out which item was missing from the box.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff provide children with high-quality care. They are positive role models, for instance, they give children clear, helpful instructions so that children understand expectations of behaviour. They show respect as they speak and listen to children. Staff value the children's views, which they use to help them to plan activities and experiences. For instance, throughout the day they offer children choices of what they would like to do, such as party or garden games. n Staff provide children with an array of experiences, which help them to develop their physical skills and support their health and fitness. For example, children thoroughly enjoy running around playing team tag games. They practise their hand-eye coordination as they play a variety of bat and ball and throwing games. n Safety is of paramount importance to the management and staff at the camp. They are fully aware of how to minimise risks while still allowing the children to

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need to do better?

explore and engage in activities. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For instance, they are aware of the need to follow safety measures, before they

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need to do better?

11 August 2021 can take their turn on the track in motorsports. n Leadership and management of the staff at the camp is highly effective. There are robust procedures in place to maintain the well-being and professional development of the staff. The area manager visits the camp regularly and is always available for support if needed. The camp and early years managers observe staff interacting with children regularly. They feedback on the practice seen to celebrate the staffs' achievements as well as giving them ideas on how they can further develop their skills. Staff benefit from a wide range of training online as well as more practical opportunities, such as lifeguard and archery training. n The manager and staff have developed effective partnerships with parents. They provide them with a wealth of information before their children start at the camp. Staff use the information gathered from parents to help them identify any

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need to do better?

additional support the children might need throughout the day. Parents comment that their children love the club, they enjoy the activities and make new friends. However, due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, they do not have as much contact with the staff looking after their children as they would like. n Children have a very full timetable of events, which they are extremely excited to join in with. Staff recognise the importance of adapting games and events. This helps to ensure all children have an opportunity to experience a wide range of sports. For instance, older children dress in protective clothing before using the foil for fencing practise. Younger children take part in foam fencing. They practise their physical skills and learn about different fencing techniques.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are vigilant and have robust procedures in place to keep children safe and secure. They know the signs and symptoms they need to be aware of to safeguard children. This includes the wider context of protecting children, such as exploitation and radicalisation. They confidently explain how to make referrals, both within the organisation and to relevant agencies. All staff complete an extensive online safeguarding training programme. The company has a designated department focusing on the safe recruitment and induction of staff. They complete the required checks to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559078 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10194110 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

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inspection

Total number of places 175 Number of children on roll 568 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01480 467 567 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Barracudas Canterbury registered in 2018 and is part of a large chain of activity camps run by Young World Leisure Group Limited. The camp is open each weekday from 8am until 6pm during most school holidays. The camp employs 29 members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. Most of the other staff hold a teaching or sports instructor qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they took part in. n The early years manager completed a joint observation and feedback to the inspector. n The inspector spoke to the managers and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The area manager took the inspector on a tour of the camp. He explained the different types of activities they offer the children and how they risk assess the provision. n A number of parents provided feedback about the camp through discussions with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

11 August 2021 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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