Kidz Camp Essex Southend

Inspection of Kidz Camp Essex Southend Hamstel Junior School, Hamstel Road, Southend-On-Sea, Essex SS2 4PQ

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This provision meets requirements

Children look forward to attending this large all-inclusive holiday club setting. They come in happily each day, eager to find familiar faces. Children develop close bonds with the warm and enthusiastic staff. They enjoy taking part in a range of exciting activities of their choice in the spacious indoor and outdoor environments. The setting is highly organised, and staff implement clear and consistent routines. As a result, children settle quickly into activities and understand the rules and expectations for the day.

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This provision meets requirements

Children's behaviour is superb. Staff act as highly positive role models for sharing, turn taking and respecting others. They integrate all children into activities effectively. Staff encourage older children to support younger children to access activities throughout the day. They sit with younger children during meal and snack times and encourage them to talk about their opinions and experiences. This results in enjoyable social experiences for all children. Staff adapt activities to meet the needs of younger children. This ensures an all-inclusive environment. The company have a clear process for supporting self-regulation and management of behaviour. Staff communicate efficiently together to coordinate assistance. Management are highly supportive, stepping in quickly when needed. This results in calm environments and smooth transition periods between activities.

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need to do better?

n Staff bring a wide range of skills and experience to their roles. Those with teaching and early years qualifications provide singing and dancing sessions for younger children. Activities throughout the setting are exciting and stimulating for all. As a result, children confidently take part in enjoyable activities. Staff show passion and dedication to their roles, resulting in high standards of provision. n Independence and responsibility are instilled from an early age. Children are expected to take responsibility for their own belongings and maintain personal hygiene. They have direct access to water to top up their drink bottles. As a result, children develop excellent independence. They know their responsibilities to stay with their groups and follow instructions. Younger children thrive under the challenges of independence. n Staff are highly supportive of children with special educational needs and/or

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need to do better?

disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. Leaders seek information upon booking as to any additional support required. They make sure that funding is used effectively to put support in place, so that all children have the same access to activities. Some staff have experience in working with children with additional needs or are bilingual. This offers excellent support to all

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need to do better?

4 August 2022 children. n Parent partnerships are highly effective. Parents appreciate the regular communication and excellent information they receive prior to enrolling their children at the setting. They know what to expect and report that their children love attending and come back year after year. Parents praise the setting for the amount of choice children have and the variety of exciting activities on offer. n Staff welfare is a high priority and staff are extremely well supported. Leaders ensure regular observations and supervisions take place. Staff feel valued and confident in their roles. They have regular opportunities to progress within the company. Many staff work their way up from being children at the club to junior supporters and then members of staff. Leaders celebrate staff achievements and appreciate the skills they offer to the club. n Staff provide a variety of healthy and balanced meals and snacks at the setting.

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need to do better?

Children choose their own sandwich fillings for lunch. Snack and mealtimes are social events for children, who sit next to friends of all ages. Younger children are encouraged by older children to join in conversations and staff support children to make choices, use independence and enjoy these times with others. n Community outreach is commendable. The setting is part of a community funding programme. A local supermarket have recently donated water and fresh fruit to the holiday club to further support the provision. The owner of the company is highly reflective of practice. He works closely with the local authority to gain advice, especially for the early years provision that he delivers. As a result, the setting provides high level support and quality activities for all children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have strong knowledge and awareness of safeguarding principles. They recognise their responsibilities for keeping children safe at all times. Leaders and staff also have effective knowledge of wider safeguarding aspects, such as the risk of being drawn into radicalisation. All staff understand the stringent processes for reporting within the setting and beyond. Staff follow the thorough risk assessments closely to ensure that children are kept safe at all times. Children's safety is paramount, and staff closely monitor children's attendance and whereabouts throughout the day.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2577092 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10239305 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 150 Number of children on roll 486 Name of registered person Kidz Camp Essex Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01702879224 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Kidz Camp Essex Southend re-registered in 2020. It operates from within the grounds of Hamstel infant and junior school, Southend-on-Sea. The holiday club currently employs 16 members of staff. Of these, three hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 and above. Other members of staff hold qualifications relevant to their roles outside of early years. The holiday club opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm, during school half-terms and holiday periods, excluding bank holidays. They accept a variety of funding for children, and the company are signed up to the 'holiday activities and food programme'.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector completed a learning walk of the areas used by the setting to find out how they are organised, and the range of activities provided both indoors and outdoors. n Staff, children and parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection, sharing their views. n The inspector checked a sample of documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and training. n The inspector held regular meetings throughout the inspection, to keep the owner and a manager updated.

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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

4 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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