Activ Camps At La Retraite

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children arrive at the camp with great expectations, and swiftly engage in the variety of activities on offer. This helps to reinforce and extend the knowledge, skills and understanding they have already acquired at school. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour.

They brief children at the start of the day about the activities on offer and the behaviour expected. Children behave well. Where children's behaviour is unacceptable, staff are consistent in enforcing the camp's positive behaviour policy.

Children listen to staff, follow instructions and concentrate on the activities on offer.There are strong relati...onships between staff and children. Staff respond to children's needs immediately.

Their interaction with children ensures that children's language and vocabulary are further developed at the camp. Children interact with each other in a healthy environment and make new friends. They show respect to each other.

For example, children take on responsibility to lead their groups. In this way, they begin to develop the skills needed for leadership roles in later life. Children are in groups based on their age.

They are, therefore, in a group with their peers when undertaking activities. Children enjoy a broad range of activities that keep them occupied for their time at the camp. They develop independence skills, self-esteem and confidence in the camp environment.

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

During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the provider has revisited their policies and procedures to make the camp as safe as possible and free from infection. The provider has introduced a 'doorstep policy' for parents. This prevents other adults from coming into the camp.

The provider has also implemented additional cleaning routines to ensure good hygiene. Children stay in peer 'bubbles' with other children of their age.Leaders and managers complete regular supervision and appraisal meetings of their staff.

These are robust and help to ensure children engage in purposeful and meaningful play at the camp.Staff provide a stimulating learning environment for all children, outdoors and indoors. Older children really enjoy ball-throwing games.

The camp offers a variety of activities for the children. Consequently, children have the opportunity to explore different activities during their time at the club.Children express joy as they move and use their bodies.

For example, they play 'chase' games, and climb up and down a giant inflatable. This supports their large-muscle development and well-being. Children say their favourite activity is the giant inflatable.

Staff read books to young children indoors.Staff collect a range of information from parents. This helps them to manage the care needs of individual children effectively.

For example, information gained about dietary requirements can enable staff to administer medicine, if required. Staff check that children with medical conditions have the prescribed and in-date medicine in place, before they are accepted into the camp.Parents are very positive about the camp, praising it highly.

They say that communication and safety of the children are particularly strong aspects of the club. They comment that at the end of the day, they are told what activities their children have taken part in. They say that where they have made suggestions to camp leaders, they have listened.

Leaders have effective recruitment and induction procedures for new staff. They monitor staff performance effectively. Staff find induction modules effective in supporting them to offer high-risk activity to children successfully.

Staff are well qualified. They mostly work in schools or are students in university. This ensures that suitable staff work with children and parents, and this benefits the children who attend.

Staff use daily risk assessments well to ensure they provide a safe and secure environment for children to play. For example, they follow the manufacturer's risk assessment procedures about how to set up and take down the giant inflatable that children use. Children take appropriate risks safely in the activities they are engaged in.

This reinforces their sense of confidence, self-esteem and independence.

The provision is inclusive. The staff team reflects the diverse background of children.

Staff and children show respect to each other.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff are provided with online training to induct and update their knowledge on child protection and safeguarding issues.

This enables them to identify children who might be at risk of abuse. Consequently, staff have a good understanding of their role, and the processes and procedures in place to raise concerns if children are at possible risk of harm. Staff are deployed to ensure that children are safe.

They maintain accurate records of children's attendance, and have robust paediatric first-aid arrangements in place to respond to accidents and medical emergencies. All staff have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. This ensures that only suitable people work with children.

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