Barracudas (Bedford)

Inspection of Barracudas (Bedford) Bedford Girls School, Cardington Road, BEDFORD MK42 0BX

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This provision meets requirements

Staff and 'Billy the Barracuda', the camp mascot, warmly welcome children on their arrival. Children quickly settle, make new friends, and behave well. They become engaged in the activities provided and have lots of fun. Staff provide children with a good range of age-appropriate resources and activities throughout the day. Staff encourage children to re-enact familiar stories and provide opportunities for them to make models of clay, to participate in water play activities and to access the large inflatable slide.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff readily engage in conversations with the children and take a genuine interest in what they are doing. For example, staff talk to children about their fish drawings, supporting them to use scissors safely. Additionally, 'explore and play' sessions enable children to make individual choices about what they would like to play with. For example, children use their imaginations, describing that they are using the pretend mixer to make pretend cakes for their friends.

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This provision meets requirements

The staff encourage children to be physically active. Children are supported to learn the rules of games, such as 'duck, duck goose' and 'goal ball'. They listen to instructions well, patiently wait their turn and eagerly cheer on their friends. Additionally, staff play parachute games with the children, introducing them to concepts, such as under and over as they play. Children enthusiastically crawl under the parachute pretending to be a cat. They try to catch their friends who are pretending to be a mouse.

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need to do better?

n The provider, management and staff strive to provide a safe environment and a wide range of activities for the children to enjoy during the school holidays. There is a strong staff team spirit. Staff have a positive attitude to their roles. They state that they feel well supported and valued by the management team. The provider uses a wide range of written policies and procedures to support children's safety and the implementation of the activities provided. n Recruitment, induction and supervision procedures are in place. This ensures staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. For example, staff complete a wide range of online training and attend training sessions at the school before the start of the camp. This supports staff to become familiar with the school site and safely implement activities. Furthermore, reflective practice is highly valued, which supports ongoing improvement.

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need to do better?

n Younger children have an assigned key person. This helps children to settle and become familiar with their new surroundings. Staff develop caring relationships with children and are responsive to their individual needs. They praise children

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need to do better?

1 August 2024 for their efforts and achievements, which effectively supports their sense of achievement and emotional well-being. Children respond by smiling and continuing to persist at their chosen activity. n Management and staff implement sound risk assessment procedures. Staff supervise children well and have high expectations for their behaviour. Staff talk to children about the rules of the club at the start of each day. Children learn that they need to listen to instructions, be kind to their friends and use good manners. n Management and staff have secure arrangements in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They consult with parents, gathering a range of information to meet each child's individual needs before they attend the club. This ensures children have fun and can join in the range of activities alongside their friends. n Management and staff ensure that the service provided is inclusive for all

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need to do better?

families. Parents are able to contribute what they know about their child so that staff know their wishes. This helps to promote the needs of their child. For example, parents share key information about specific dietary needs and any medical needs. This supports continuous and consistent care for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY330767 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10344289 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 974 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01480 467 567 Date of previous inspection 21 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Barracudas (Bedford) registered in 2007. The setting employs 44 members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or above, including six who have qualified teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during specific weeks of the school summer and Easter holidays. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The inspector took a tour of the areas available to the children with the area manager and talked about how the club is organised, including the play opportunities they provide for the children. n The inspector observed staff interactions with the children during indoor activities. n The area manager, early years manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection to take account of their views.

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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 August 2024 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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