Barracudas Cambridge Long Road

Inspection of Barracudas Cambridge Long Road Long Road Sixth Form College, Long Road, Cambridge CB2 8PX

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This provision meets requirements

Children eagerly enter the camp and are greeted by an incredibly warm and friendly staff team. Children happily wave goodbye to their parents. They feel safe and secure as they excitedly chat to staff and new friends about the day ahead. Children settle swiftly into their individual groups, which helps them feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. Children's voices are listened to as they help to decide the group's 'golden rules', such as being kind and sharing.

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This provision meets requirements

The fantastic array of activities on offer means children are spoilt for choice. Children love the bouncy castle. They describe the thrill of trying new motorsport experiences, such as riding a go-kart in the safe outdoor environment. Children explain the rules about safety and how to protect themselves. For example, they know to put on the protective clothing and helmet under the supervision of the specialised trained instructor. Children explain that 'only one child is allowed on at a time'.

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This provision meets requirements

Children access amazing art and craft activities, where they express themselves in a variety of ways. They design and create pictures of their future self. Children develop self-esteem and confidence as they tell staff and peers about their creation and what they want to be when they are older.

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need to do better?

n The management team and staff provide high-quality and inclusive care. Staff explain instructions to children in a clear and insightful way to ensure all children understand. Staff use visual, interactive strategies to support children who speak English as an additional language. For example, children show their understanding by putting their thumbs up. Each day is broken into a number of sessions. Children are given choice about what they want to do as they have the option of two activity choices per session. n Children's physical and emotional well-being is prioritised. Extensive facilities including a large sports hall promote fitness as children play team sports, such as basketball. Young children roar with laughter as they take on the challenge of beating a member of staff in a running race. Children can try archery and during the summer months the aqua park is a firm favourite. Children explore nature,

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need to do better?

build dens and enjoy a scavenger hunt. In addition to keeping active, staff support healthy attitudes towards food. Staff promote this with a fun, weekly challenge, where children are given points for the number of fruit or vegetables they have in their packed lunch. n Staff are superb role models. They talk in a calm and respectful manner and give meaningful praise, promoting positive behaviours and attitudes. Regular visits

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need to do better?

5 April 2023 from the area manager ensure that the camp's ethos is securely embedded. This is consistently evident through expert staff practice. For example, behaviour management is highly effective as staff throughout the camp consistently ensure children know what is expected of them. Staff use memorable rhymes to support young children to follow instructions in a fun way. For example, the group leader says 'line up in single file' and children form a line while saying 'duckling style' with a giggle. As a result, children display exceptional behaviour and good manners. n Meticulous policies and procedures, including robust and ongoing risk assessments, are followed to ensure children are safe and well cared for. Safety is of unquestionable importance to the management and staff at the camp. The ratio of staff to children is always adhered to. Staff consistently carry out risk assessments during activities. For example, during a woodland adventure, staff

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need to do better?

clearly mark out areas that children can freely explore. n The manager and staff have established effective partnership with parents. Parents report a professional and well-organised camp that their children repeatedly ask to return to. Before children start, parents are provided with information to support their children to have a positive experience at the camp. Group leaders identify children who may need some extra support during the day. This process begins before children start by gathering in-depth information about each child. As a result, all children's individual and personal needs are met superbly well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The safety of children is a priority and for the Barracudas company as a whole. Staff receive meticulous training before every holiday season. Staff talk confidently about how they protect children on the premises and how they supervise them extremely closely. Senior staff are continuously monitoring staff practice and ensuring they are following the rules and regulations of the camp. Staff can identify a child who may be at risk of neglect and/or abuse and know how to report concerns. A robust recruitment process ensures that those working with children are suitable for their role. First-aid procedures are implemented exceptionally well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2620881 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10264421 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 96 Number of children on roll 150 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01480 467567 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Barracudas Cambridge Long Road registered in 2020 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 26 members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold qualified teacher status, four staff hold qualifications at level 6 and fifteen hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above. Specialised staff, such as sports instructors, also work with the children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the camp has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector and the manager discussed the impact of the pandemic, and the inspector has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The early years manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and the early years manager discussed with the inspector how they ensure both inside and outside environments are safe and suitable. n The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection and completed a joint observation with the early years manager. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection. n The inspector had discussions with the managers and spoke to staff and children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the suitability and qualifications of staff, activity timetables, policies and procedures.

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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

5 April 2023 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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