Ultimate Activity Camps at Holmwood House School

Inspection of Ultimate Activity Camps at Holmwood House School Holmwood House School, Chitts Hill, Lexden, Colchester, Essex CO3 9ST

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This provision meets requirements

Children are eagerly welcomed by staff. New children are quickly supported to find familiar friends to play with, which helps them start their day positively. Children enthusiastically choose from a wide range of activities that are suited to their age group. They colour, and read stories before they prepare for a busy day. Staff prepare activities that appeal to children's interests. All ages are happy to join in with activities and try new things. This creates a sense of value for children as they make a positive impact on their own levels of comfort and enjoyment.

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This provision meets requirements

Others play outside, playing on go-carts and preparing for swimming. Staff ensure that children are included in the choices of activities. This allows them to feel empowered in their environment. Interactions between staff and children are positive and respectful. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement. They proudly show staff their artwork, which staff display. This helps raise their self- esteem and confidence. Children develop close friendships with their peers. They giggle and laugh together as they play with various activities. Children's behaviour is good, and they show care and consideration for others. For instance, older children happily play with their younger peers, and they take turns and share with maturity.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff team work cohesively together to ensure the children are well cared for. The manager has a positive attitude to ensuring that staff's well- being is looked after. Her staff say they feel valued and are given opportunities to develop their careers. Staff receive regular supervision sessions, which ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities within the holiday club. The manager ensures staff complete mandatory training and provides opportunities for further training. For example, staff are due to attend a sign language course to help them support children who use signing to communicate. This ensures staff's skills and practice are developed to suit the needs of the children. n Staff join in with children's games and praise them for their skills and individual strengths. They encourage children to be confident with their ideas and ask thought-provoking questions. Children answer confidently, enthused by the

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need to do better?

conversation where they feel listened to. Staff skilfully adapt their levels of support and expectations to each child's age. n Staff have high expectations for the children's behaviour and demonstrate this through their own behaviour. They remind children to pack away activities and be kind to each other. As a result, children behave well and quickly develop an understanding of how their behaviour has an impact on others. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are looked after

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need to do better?

11 August 2022 extremely well at the club. Staff work closely with parents and the children to develop supportive care plans to help the children feel settled and secure. They ensure children have space for quiet time and provide sensory resources to help them manage their emotions and feelings. Parents speak highly of the holiday club, commenting that they can relax knowing their children are 'safe and looked after by capable and caring hands'. n The management team is effective. They routinely evaluate the setting and are open to suggestions on ways to improve the club. The management team works hard to ensure they recruit enthusiastic staff. Children know that they can join in with energetic and exciting games but are also offered chances to sit quietly and be calm in the sensory area of the room. This helps the children to feel nurtured and takes into consideration their well-being throughout the day.

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need to do better?

n There is a good range of activities available to children, both indoors and out. Staff are positive role models. They provide children with lots of praise and guidance. As a result, children's behaviour is good. Staff teach children to consider the needs of others and how to take turns. Occasionally, some adult- led activities can be too long for younger children. Staff ask younger children to sit and wait for longer than they are able. This can lead them to become disengaged, which can cause disruption.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team have an exceptionally secure knowledge of safeguarding and child protection. This includes the early help referral and allegation procedures. Staff clearly explain their role and responsibility for keeping children safe from abuse or harm. In addition, they are equally aware of concerns associated with extremist views, female genital mutilation, and radicalisation. Robust recruitment, induction and suitability checks ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Clear policies and procedures are in place and implemented in practice, particularly regarding risk assessment. Policies are shared with parents and updated regularly to reflect changes in legislation.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2586904 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10239590 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 104 Number of children on roll 168 Name of registered person The Ultimate Activity Company Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0330 111 7077 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ultimate Activity Camps at Holmwood House School registered in 2019. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 3 and level 6. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, during school holidays.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the holiday camp received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the club. n The inspector undertook a learning walk around the camp with the manager. She held regular discussions with the manager and the staff. n The inspector spoke to children and parents during the inspection and took account of parents' written views of the club. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation. This included evidence of staff suitability, attendance records, risk assessments, policies, and procedures.

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Inspection activities

11 August 2022 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 2022 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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