Aktiva Camps At Ark Byron

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy, safe and enthusiastic as they arrive at the club. They are met by welcoming staff and children are keen to share their news with them. The atmosphere at the club is very positive.

Children move around freely, inside and outside. Children have many opportunities to be involved in making decisions about the activities and resources provided each day. As a result, children are keen to participate and remain engaged for long periods of time.

Children behave very well. They are friendly and form strong relationships with staff and each other. Children share the resources and enjoy taking part in activities t...ogether.

Staff engage enthusiastically with children as they play. Children show a good understanding of the club rules and follow them well. They are confident to share their views and say that the club 'is very good fun'.

Children have fun as they take part in a wide range of activities and experiences at the club. They enjoy games, crafts and physical play. For example, children make colourful firework pictures and play with play dough.

They enjoy sporting activities, such as tennis and dodgeball. These activities help children to build on their communication, social, physical and creative skills.

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

Staff share and celebrate children's experiences with others.

Children feel unique and have a high level of self-worth. Staff have a good knowledge of children's interests and preferences in their play. They use this information well to provide challenging experiences for more confident children.

Younger children, who are new to the setting, are reassured and receive one-to-one interaction. Staff use the information gained from parents and children, when first registering, to provide familiar and favourite activities.The management team supports staff to consistently develop their practice.

Staff make the most of training opportunities and share good practice. They regularly observe each other to identify areas for improvement. The management teams uses supervision meetings to support staff's performance.

Children are creative and demonstrate their imaginative skills. They use different resources, such as coloured tissue papers, to pretend dinosaurs are 'firing' in a dinosaurs' land. Children tell visitors that they have drawn a picture for their favourite teacher.

They show a positive attitude to new experiences and take pride in their achievements.The staff and management team are positive role models, who are dedicated to their roles. They communicate well with each other to ensure that children are always within their sight.

The management team conducts thorough and regular risk assessments of the areas and equipment used by children. These are shared with all staff to help manage identified hazards.Children are very sociable, and make fun and trusting friendships at the club.

They actively include others in their play and look to share their experiences. For example, children enjoyed making rockets together with blocks and take turns counting down from 10, before shouting 'blast off' together.Staff provide children with an array of experiences, which help them to develop their physical skills and support their health and fitness.

For example, children thoroughly enjoy running around playing team tag games. They practise their hand-to-eye coordination as they play a variety of bat and ball and throwing games.The manager and staff have developed effective partnerships with parents.

They provide them with a wealth of information before their children start at the club. Staff use the information gathered from parents to help them identify any additional support that the children might need throughout the day. Parents comment that their children love the club, enjoy the activities and make new friends.

Children are able to make choices from the extremely wide variety of exciting activities on offer. Staff are quick to notice if children are not participating in their chosen activity and manage to involve them in a different way, such as becoming a judge or referee, rather than participating. This helps all children to feel involved and included.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and neglect, including broader safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty. They know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child in their care.

The management team follows safe recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. All staff attend mandatory safeguarding training and keep up to date with changes in legislation and policy. Staff are deployed well to ensure good levels of supervision and support for all children.