Aktiva Camps at Belmont

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children receive a very warm welcome into the camp by the friendly staff.

They are happy and settled. Staff are very observant to support any child who is a bit nervous on arrival. They also show a good understanding of children's individual needs, and this helps with the settling-in process.

Children enjoy the range of free play activities available at the beginning of the day. This helps them to settle in as it is a relaxed and enjoyable time. Later on, children have great opportunities to be active and explore the outdoors.

They enjoy fun games, such as 'What's the time Mr Wolf?', which generates lots of laught...er together with some vigorous running. They also enjoy games of hockey and football, where they learn about rules of the games. This enhances their teamwork and learning to play cooperatively.

Children show a good understanding of the camp rules that help them to stay safe. For example, they know to line up and walk to the playground. Children behave very well.

Staff are very knowledgeable about children's interests and provide a fun and inspiring range of activities. There is a big emphasis on creative design. Children really enjoy the craft activities and look forward to making things.

For example, children decorated a jewellery box and used their own imagination and creativity to make their boxes unique to them, using different colour paints, feathers and shiny materials. This supports children to have a sense of pride in their own work.

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

Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the camp.

They provide good training and support to the staff team and regularly reflect on their practice to deliver high-quality care and enriching activities. Staff's well-being is a high priority to leaders and various rewards are offered to the team. Staff report they enjoy their work and feel valued.

The premises are safe and secure, and children cannot leave the camp unattended. They are escorted from the registration desk to their groups and returned to parents at the end of the day. The main gates are locked after registration ends in the morning and if there are any latecomers parents need to ring the camp phone to gain access.

Staff are deployed effectively and supervise their groups of children very well. Regular head counts are completed when the children move around the camp to ensure no child goes missing or gets left behind.Children are placed into groups, dependant on their age.

This is flexible and if siblings wish to stay together this is accommodated. However, this is usually only for their first day as the children very quickly make friends and feel comfortable with the caring staff.Parents are welcomed by the staff at the reception desk, and they ensure they have all required information about each child's needs.

The camp has extensive information on their website for parents when they book their child into the camp, ensuring they know what they need to bring for their child. For example, suitable foods for a packed lunch and ensuring children have hats and sun cream in their bags.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive very good support.

Staff know children's individual needs very well; they engage with them and are aware of ways to help children settle in and stay calm.Children enjoy some relaxed time when the group comes together and take part in singing and story times. They listen attentively to the story about the 'Gruffalo' and join in with parts of the story.

Parents are very complimentary about the care their children receive. Their positive feedback demonstrates children are very happy and enjoy attending the camp. There is a good amount of information on the camps website to keep parents well informed about the service provided.

Children learn about healthy lifestyles. Parents are encouraged to provide a nutritious packed lunch for their child. Children learn to make good snack choices and are reminded to keep their sandwiches for lunchtime.

Staff remind children of rules of the camp such as not sharing any food. Children show good hygiene awareness and understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and at other appropriate times during the day.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff have received safeguarding training and demonstrate a good knowledge of what to do if they were concerned about a child. They are also aware of the reporting procedures if they are concerned about a colleague's behaviour to children. There are secure recruitment procedures in place to ensure all staff have appropriate suitability checks completed.

Risk assessments are completed to ensure the premises and resources are safe for children. Daily checks are completed by managers before the camp opens. Staff are deployed very well to ensure children are always well supervised and safe.

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