Barracudas (Barnet)

Inspection of Barracudas (Barnet) Queen Elizabeths School, Queens Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 4DQ

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This provision meets requirements

Leaders and staff consistently implement the club procedures and routines to create a safe and welcoming environment for children. They gather detailed information from parents before children start, to help them cater for each child's individual needs. For example, staff ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have appropriate support to participate in routines and activities. This attentive care helps children to feel happy, comfortable and secure. They build warm and positive relationships with staff and readily go to them for reassurance or help.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and provide consistent reminders about rules and boundaries in the club. Children respond well to this clear guidance. They understand and follow established routines, such as putting away their belongings and being kind to their friends. Staff offer a wide variety of experiences for children, which broaden their knowledge and skills and complement their learning at school. For example, children enjoy learning about the Olympic Games. They participate in a range of sports, which strengthens their physical skills. Staff encourage children to think about healthy eating and how this helps them to be better athletes. Children talk about foods that give them energy. They have fun drawing their ideal healthy meal.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have good oversight of the club and ensure that they are on hand to support staff and guide their practice. Staff say that they feel valued and receive relevant supervision and training to equip them for their roles. For example, they attend an induction day before the start of camp, to update and refresh their understanding of club policies and procedures. n Staff provide activities which spark children's imaginations and foster positive attitudes to learning. For instance, children practise their critical thinking as they figure out how to connect large pieces of cardboard, to create buildings and enclosures. Staff encourage teamwork and praise children's efforts, which inspires children to persevere and try different methods. They show great pride and satisfaction in their achievements. n Children's physical health is promoted extremely well. Children have many opportunities to be active, such as swimming, football and an outdoor scavenger

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need to do better?

hunt. Staff ensure that there are regular breaks for children to rest and refuel. They are mindful about children's welfare. For example, during hot weather staff provide shade outdoors and check that children's water bottles are continuously refreshed. n Staff are sensitive to children's emotional needs and provide opportunities for

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need to do better?

31 July 2024 them to talk about their feelings. For instance, children use pictures of facial expressions, to indicate how they feel on arrival at the club. This helps staff to identify where children may need more support to feel at ease or join in with activities. n Staff are good role models. They are kind and approachable and provide a calm environment for children. As such, children learn to treat others with respect and to accept other views and ideas. For example, children eagerly discuss the characters they create during a drawing activity. They listen to their friends' thoughts and cooperate to develop imaginative storylines. n Leaders and staff establish good relationships with parents. They listen to their views and work hard to keep them informed about their children's time at the club. Parents speak highly of the service and say their children thoroughly enjoy attending. Children also speak positively about the club. They say the staff are

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need to do better?

nice, and they really like the activities. n Staff complete thorough risk assessments of the club premises. This includes daily checks of the areas and equipment used by children. Where a potential risk is identified, steps are taken to remove or reduce the hazard.

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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 EY258083 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10346977 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 120 Number of children on roll 179 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01480 467 567 Date of previous inspection 3 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Barracudas (Barnet) registered in 2003. It is one of a chain of privately run holiday schemes. It operates from a secondary school building, which is situated in High Barnet in the London Borough of Barnet. The activity camp opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, during most school holidays. The provider employs 41 staff. Of these, eight staff hold childcare qualifications at level 6, level 7 and qualified teacher status. Other staff hold a range of relevant qualifications.

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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 area manager showed the inspector the parts of the premises used by the club. He explained how the provision is organised to provide the activities and promote children's safety. n The inspector observed a range of routines and activities, to evaluate how well staff cater for children's individual needs. This includes a joint observation with the area manager. n Leaders met with the inspector to discuss issues, such as staff recruitment and training. They ensured that relevant documents were available for the inspector to view. n The inspector spoke to staff, parents and children, to help assess their views and experiences of the setting.

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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

31 July 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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