Barracudas - Canterbury St Ed

Inspection of Barracudas - Canterbury St Ed St. Edmunds School, St. Thomas Hill, Canterbury CT2 8HU

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This provision meets requirements

Children arrive happy and confident to this warm and welcoming camp. Children are highly motivated and engaged in the exciting experiences offered to them, including swimming, art class, science experiments and go-karting. Children are confident to talk and have their opinions or views heard. Each group has their own breakout room for their age, which gives children a sense of belonging and security. Children demonstrate strong knowledge of what they have already found out during an 'Under the Sea' topic. For example, during a group time, children explain that whales do not need to brush their teeth to get rid of bacteria, as smaller fish do this for them.

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This provision meets requirements

Children's behaviours and attitudes are exemplary. They demonstrate good turn- taking. For example, when waiting for their turn, they raise their hand if they wish to speak. Team rules are embedded at the beginning of each session. This helps children understand the expectations during their time at the camp. Children show pride in their achievements. This is demonstrated when they successfully hit the ball during a game of rounders, and enthusiastically show staff the sea creature creations they have made in art class. Independence in young children is promoted by staff, who are strong role models. For example, children self-register upon arrival before placing their belongings away.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers ensure there are robust procedures in place to ensure the safety of all children. This includes completing a daily risk assessment and quality assurance checks on activities and equipment used. Leaders also provide specialist training for certain staff to allow children to gain access to new experiences and skills such as archery, swimming and riding motorised vehicles. Leaders put in place effective arrangements so that staff, children and parents have a clear understanding of different roles. For example, lifeguards, management and room practitioners wear different-coloured tops. This helps provide a sense of security for all. n Parents confidently remark on how friendly and professional all staff are at the summer camp. They state how warm, inviting and inclusive the environment is, offering a large array of activities for children to engage with. They feel it is a place where children are safe, loved and ultimately having fun. Parents are well

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need to do better?

informed through a variety of ways, including blogs, daily communication sheets and photos displayed of each day's fun activities. This allows parents to have regular updates and be fully informed. n There is a clear, robust process for recruitment, vetting and induction of all staff. This ensures that staff are suitable for the role and confident to fulfil it to the

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need to do better?

8 August 2024 best of their ability. All staff have access to relevant training. This ensures children are safe and allows them to access the extensive activities on offer. n Information on children is gathered before the child joins, giving staff the best knowledge of each child while in their care. This includes strong procedures in place if a child requires medication. This enables staff to appropriately plan and prepare activities based on children's interests. Children enjoy having the choice of two activities for each session. This tends to include one creative activity or a visit to the forest school, and then a more physical activity in the outdoor environment. n Children demonstrate exemplary behaviour, manners and conduct. Staff use consistent, successful strategies to promote positive behaviour. Children demonstrate these attributes by listening attentively to staff and following instructions. They raise their hand if they wish to speak, line up patiently when

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need to do better?

going from one activity to another and show respect towards staff and their peers. n Children are independent in their self-care such as toileting, handwashing and dressing/undressing themselves. Healthy eating is promoted with clear conversations to parents in regard to portion control and healthy items. This ensures children have access to a balanced and healthy diet at the camp and access to drinks bottles throughout the day. These are taken into the outdoor environment when accessing activities to make sure children are suitably hydrated.

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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 2678918 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10350603 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 121 Number of children on roll 471 Name of registered person Young World Leisure Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01480467567 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Barracudas - Canterbury St Ed registered in 2022. It is one of many holiday camps owned by Young World Leisure Group Limited. It operates from St Edmunds school in Canterbury, Kent. It is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during holiday periods only. The camp employs 24 members of staff, who all hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above. Specialist sport instructors are also employed.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the camp 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during group time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at the holiday camp.

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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

8 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

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

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