Cascade Camps at Longdean School

Inspection of Cascade Camps at Longdean School Longdean School, Rumballs Road, Hemel Hempstead HP3 8JB

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This provision meets requirements

Children attend this unique setting with eagerness and enthusiasm. They have many opportunities to choose what they would like to explore and access with help and support from the staff. The environment is stimulating and enticing with exciting and fun activities. For example, children have an amazing time exploring the large inflatable equipment. They show fantastic levels of fascination as they follow the safety rules successfully. This helps further develop their gross motor skills and spatial awareness, and builds on their confidence and self-esteem.

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This provision meets requirements

Children's natural curiosity is fostered through reading their favourite books with a member of the staff. They quickly become immersed in the storyline and engage in meaningful discussions about the characters. Children successfully identify rhyming words and learn new concepts, such as 'divine', 'illustrator' and 'stork'. This promotes communication and language skills to very high levels. Furthermore, children have fantastic opportunities to enhance their teamwork and cooperation. For example, they concentrate intently to build a large structure with domino pieces. Children take turns with confidence and show high levels of respect and consideration towards their peers. This also helps build on their critical thinking, problem-solving skills and social interactions.

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need to do better?

n Staff and leaders offer inclusive practice. They take children's interests into consideration when planning a range of stimulating and exciting activities. Staff take the time to get to know all children. They ensure that children are always happy and engaged in activities that spark their curiosity and fascination. n Staff are excellent role models for the children. They model language well and demonstrate various activities effectively. For example, children have a great time exploring the play dough, using a wide array of cutters and tools. They choose what they would like to create to build on their fine motor and imaginative skills. n Children behave very well and have excellent manners. For example, they have opportunities to make healthy choices at mealtimes. Children understand the expectations for appropriate behaviour and how to operate all equipment safely. n Children have great opportunities to be active and healthy. For example, older

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need to do better?

children enjoy taking part in a game of football outdoors. They follow the instructions exceptionally well and run around the field avoiding obstacles. Children work very well as a team and laugh and giggle with excitement. This also strengthens their social interactions and helps to build on their gross motor skills, balance and coordination. n Children have access to a wide array of small-world resources and activities to

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need to do better?

1 June 2023 enhance their imagination. For example, a group of children are very excited to join in pretend play with dinosaurs, sharing them very well. They successfully name all the dinosaurs and talk about their characteristics. This helps broaden children's experiences and supports effective communication and language skills. n Staff benefit from regular meetings and training that enable them to develop their practice and knowledge. They feel very well supported in their role and career growth. In addition, they say they are very happy working at this setting. n Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for their setting. They constantly reflect on their practice and strive to deliver high-quality care and inspirational activities for the children. For example, they employ skilled and expert members of staff, such as football coaches or drama teachers, to enhance children's experiences. Leaders value their team and always place the children and their

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need to do better?

interests at the centre of everything they do. n Partnerships with parents are strong and effective. Staff work very well with the parents to find out about children's needs and preferences. This promotes a good continuity of care and adds value to the setting's overall practice. Parents comment on how well the staff and leaders communicate and praise the inspirational activities their children explore.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff and leaders have sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. This includes wider aspects, such as female genital mutilation. Staff understand the importance of following the correct procedures to report any concerns to relevant professionals to protect children from harm. There is a robust induction process in place to ensure that all staff complete regular and relevant training to keep their safeguarding knowledge current. Policies and procedures are effective and accurate, and reviewed regularly. They are implemented accordingly and shared with staff and parents. Staff carry out regular risk assessments to assure children's safety and welfare. Furthermore, effective staff deployment means that children are well supervised and cared for.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2643242 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10286795 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 220 Number of children on roll 89 Name of registered person Cascade Social Enterprise Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07535585964 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Cascade Camps at Longdean School Hemel Hempstead registered in 2021. The camp is open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, during school holidays. There are 13 childcare staff/camp activity coordinators, five of whom hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3 or above.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The provider showed the inspector around the provision. They discussed how the provision and the activities are organised. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff members and children, and assessed how children's interests are considered when planning activities. n Some parents met with the inspector who took account of their views. n The inspector had a discussion with the staff members about the activities provided for all children. n Children spoke with the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector held a meeting with the leaders. She looked at the relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of the staff to work with

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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

1 June 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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