Atlas Camps Cheltenham - Greatfield Park

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the camp, making choices from the wide range of activities planned by the staff to meet their interests.

Children quickly build friendships with children from a wider community and learn about each other's differences and backgrounds.The well-qualified and experienced staff are very attentive and involve themselves eagerly in children's play. They use positive interactions and model key skills to support children to develop their independence.

For instance, younger children respond well to prompts from staff about using scissors safely as they play. Children's physical skills are ver...y well supported. They learn to use a range of tools and resources correctly, such as gym equipment in the hall.

For example, during a team gymnastics game, staff demonstrate how to safely buckaroo like a horse over a vault box. They support children to learn the difference between a pencil roll, a barrel roll and a forward roll as they act being a monkey. Children cheer on their friends as they attempt new moves.

They shout 'You're so springy' as they bunny hop, and giggle and scream as others crawl about like a crocodile. Children negotiate the rules well to ensure their safety and staff praise their excellent behaviour and listening skills.

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

The welcoming environment and friendly staff help all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to gain a good sense of belonging.

Children form strong attachments to familiar staff that support their emotional well-being. Staff take time to listen to the children, helping them to express their feelings and find solutions to problems.Children play cooperatively and happily.

They confidently select resources and games they can play together, such as 'Granny's Footsteps' and 'Danish Longball'. Children engage in routines enthusiastically, there is a sense of fun and enjoyment as they tidy away resources and prepare for new activities or lunch. This is because staff model and encourage appropriate behaviour and social skills extremely well.

They show their clear enjoyment in activities and it is infectious.The camp manager and staff form very positive relationships with parents. This highly effective two-way flow of information provides a consistent approach to children's care.

Parents are very complimentary about the staff. They say 'They are so full of energy' and are 'lovely, engaging, motivating and inspiring for children'.Children of all ages thoroughly enjoy being imaginative and artistic as staff provide excellent opportunities for them to express their own ideas.

For example, children develop their creativity as they use a selection of resources to paint and draw. They paint stunning landscapes and draw beautiful gardens. Younger children design their own card games and staff play along, cleverly adapting the game to add subtraction skills to extend the challenge of matching and addition.

Leaders welcome staff's, children's and parents' suggestions and ideas. Staff continually ask children what they would like to do throughout the session. Children know their views and opinions are valued.

This ensures children feel respected and appreciated. Staff reflect well on their practice and make improvements. For instance, they have reorganised the play environment to offer a chill-out space where children can be quiet, rest or read.

Leaders use robust recruitment, vetting and induction arrangements that help them ensure staff are suitable for their role. Senior managers monitor staff skills well as they work towards higher qualifications and identify further training to improve practice, such as greater knowledge of the early years foundation stage requirements.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Children's safety is at the heart of everything staff do. Leaders regularly question staff on their understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they can implement them effectively. The camp manager and staff are very confident in their responsibility to report any child protection concerns to appropriate authorities.

They attend regular child protection training to sustain their knowledge and leaders provide an excellent range of written policies and procedures, which are implemented successfully to protect children's welfare. Staff consistently talk to the children about the importance of safety as they remind them of the rules and encourage them to negotiate space and take turns during their play. This ensures children develop their own understanding of risk as they keep themselves and others safe.

Also at this postcode