4-2-11 Activity Camp

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy to attend this inviting and friendly club. They form close and trusting relationships with staff, who get to know them and their families well. Staff are organised and gently guide children through the structure of the day.

They provide children with a good balance of adult-led activities and children's 'choice time'. This helps children to play freely and explore their interests. Staff set age-appropriate rules and expectations, which support children's good behaviour and promotes their safety.

At the start of the day, children come together to discuss the club rules and share these with children who ar...e new to the club. Children understand why rules are in place. For example, staff talk to them about the importance of not sharing foods in their lunch boxes because they may contain foods which some children may be allergic to.

Staff carefully plan the environment to meet the needs of all children who attend. They divide the large hall into smaller areas to create a calm environment. This helps to develop children's social interactions.

Staff create cosy spaces for children, so they can rest if required. Children use this area when they begin to feel tired. They sit down relax, and look at a selection of books and stories.

Staff join them to offer reassurance and read aloud their favourite stories.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The club's positive ethos support children to be confident and sociable. Children introduce themselves to new members of the club and initiate early friendships, asking peers if they would like to join their play.

Children use their imagination as they build thoughtful structures from magnetic shapes. They share their ideas with visitors and explain they need a bigger space to keep the animals. Children discuss their experiences from home and talk fondly about the different pets within their family.

Good working relationships are in place with the host school. Leaders and staff communicate with them regularly to enhance the quality of the holiday provision. Staff take children to attend weekly swimming lessons at the school's on-site swimming pool.

These sessions are led by a qualified swimming instructor and lifeguard, and are supported by additional staff members for increased supervision.Staff promote children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle. They request that children wash their hands before collecting snack and support them to make healthy dietary choices.

Staff help children to learn about their own safety when they walk to the playing field. Children sit contentedly on a picnic blanket to eat, before enjoying free play. They learn to put rubbish in the bins and share their understanding of the impact of littering on the environment.

They explain that if left on the floor, food packaging could be eaten by wildlife and this could make them unwell.Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise. Staff enthusiastically lead group games.

Children listen to staff as they give instructions. They play the parachute game and enthusiastically engage in ball games. Children have fun as they navigate an obstacle course.

In addition to mandatory training, such as paediatric first aid and safeguarding, leaders host in house staff training before the start of every holiday camp. This gives all staff opportunities to refresh their knowledge of individual roles and responsibilities and share and develop their understanding of best practice. Staff are also invited to attend camps at linked settings to support their professional development.

They share ideas and are encouraged to take these back to make improvements to their provision.Staff work in close partnership with parents to gather the information they need to ensure children's individual needs are met during their time at the club. They request that parents complete an 'All About Me' form, to provide detailed information about children's past experiences, as well as likes and dislikes.

Leaders follow this up with a telephone call, if they feel further support for children is required. Daily communication methods at the start and end of each day are strong. Parent feedback is positive.

Written comments state that 'the variety of activities is exceptional' and 'staff are professional and attentive'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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