Barracudas – Welwyn Ridgeway

Inspection of Welwyn Garden City - Ridgeway Ridgeway Academy, Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City AL7 2AF

p.1

This provision meets requirements

Children settle quickly at the holiday camp. Friendly staff greet them warmly and introduce themselves. This helps children to feel welcome and they soon engage in play. Children enjoy activities which link to their experiences at home. For example, they excitedly talk about their preparations for Halloween as they colour in pictures of bats, pumpkins and ghosts. Children are excited to find others who share their interests. This leads to new friendships being made. Staff interact positively with children, joining in with their play and activities. This results in mutual respect between children and adults. Children's behaviour is very good.

p.2

This provision meets requirements

Children have many opportunities to be active. They enjoy sports, team games, dance and drama. Children understand the rules of the games and play cooperatively, sharing toys and resources well. Daily discussions around the rules and values of the club help children to stay safe. They know to have regular drinks of water to stay hydrated after being active. Children organise their own food they bring from home, knowing to choose what to have for snack and lunch. This helps children to have sufficient nutrients for the day to keep them energised.

p.2

need to do better?

n The enthusiastic manager and staff team organise the camp very well. They are all aware of their roles and deploy themselves effectively to make sure all children are supported and supervised. Staff use radios to communicate between the different groups. This means they can immediately support each other when they are needed. n There is an appropriate key-person system in place for the younger children to ensure their emotional and care needs are met. Staff obtain detailed information about children before they start, which supports their transition into the camp. n Children enjoy the many activities provided. They develop their creative skills and concentrate well, such as when they design treasure maps. Children enjoy imaginative play, for example taking on the role of pizza chefs. They show their understanding of money and value as they sort out play bank notes and work out how much their pizzas cost.

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents talk positively about the camp. They say their children enjoy the activities provided and are excited to attend. Parents say they have peace of mind that children are safe because of the effective health and safety procedures that are in place. n Children have many opportunities to make choices. They decide what activities they want to take part in through each day. Staff give children clear information of what each activity is. This results in children making swift decisions and being excited to try out new experiences.

p.2

need to do better?

24 October 2023 n There is a good relationship between the managers and the school. Open communication and detailed information sharing enables managers to know who is expected on site and of any maintenance work that is happening. This helps to promote consistency in keeping children and staff safe. n The provider has a robust recruitment procedure in place. This ensures all staff are suitable to work with children. They receive good support to build on their knowledge and skills. The management team regularly observe staff as they lead activities and give them constructive feedback. This enables them to swiftly identify areas for development in staff practice. Staff talk positively about the support they receive from the managers. They report they thoroughly enjoy working at the camp and many return year on year.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The managers and staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibility to protect children from harm. They accurately describe the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse. Safeguarding policies and procedures are well understood. As a result, staff are confident in what they must do should they have any concerns about children's well-being or the conduct of their colleagues. Staff are also aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as how families may become exposed to extremist views. Effective health and safety policies are securely embedded in practice.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2647368 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10295794 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 180 Number of children on roll 110 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01480467567 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Welwyn Garden City - Ridgeway registered in 2021. The holiday camp is open from 8am until 6pm through school summer holidays and half term holidays. The camp currently employs nine members of staff.

p.4

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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The camp manager and the inspector completed a tour of the parts of the premises being used. n The inspector held discussions with the staff, parents and children during the inspection. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with children and monitored children's engagement in a range of play activities and sport. n The area manager, camp manager and early years manager discussed how the club is organised with the inspector.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

24 October 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6