Barracudas (Bedford)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff and 'Billy the Barracuda', the camp mascot, warmly welcome children on their arrival. Children quickly settle, make new friends, and behave well.

They become engaged in the activities provided and have lots of fun. Staff provide children with a good range of age-appropriate resources and activities throughout the day. Staff encourage children to re-enact familiar stories and provide opportunities for them to make models of clay, to participate in water play activities and to access the large inflatable slide.

Staff readily engage in conversations with the children and take a genuine interest in what they are doing. F...or example, staff talk to children about their fish drawings, supporting them to use scissors safely. Additionally, 'explore and play' sessions enable children to make individual choices about what they would like to play with.

For example, children use their imaginations, describing that they are using the pretend mixer to make pretend cakes for their friends. The staff encourage children to be physically active. Children are supported to learn the rules of games, such as 'duck, duck goose' and 'goal ball'.

They listen to instructions well, patiently wait their turn and eagerly cheer on their friends. Additionally, staff play parachute games with the children, introducing them to concepts, such as under and over as they play. Children enthusiastically crawl under the parachute pretending to be a cat.

They try to catch their friends who are pretending to be a mouse.

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

The provider, management and staff strive to provide a safe environment and a wide range of activities for the children to enjoy during the school holidays. There is a strong staff team spirit.

Staff have a positive attitude to their roles. They state that they feel well supported and valued by the management team. The provider uses a wide range of written policies and procedures to support children's safety and the implementation of the activities provided.

Recruitment, induction and supervision procedures are in place. This ensures staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. For example, staff complete a wide range of online training and attend training sessions at the school before the start of the camp.

This supports staff to become familiar with the school site and safely implement activities. Furthermore, reflective practice is highly valued, which supports ongoing improvement.Younger children have an assigned key person.

This helps children to settle and become familiar with their new surroundings. Staff develop caring relationships with children and are responsive to their individual needs. They praise children for their efforts and achievements, which effectively supports their sense of achievement and emotional well-being.

Children respond by smiling and continuing to persist at their chosen activity.Management and staff implement sound risk assessment procedures. Staff supervise children well and have high expectations for their behaviour.

Staff talk to children about the rules of the club at the start of each day. Children learn that they need to listen to instructions, be kind to their friends and use good manners.Management and staff have secure arrangements in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

They consult with parents, gathering a range of information to meet each child's individual needs before they attend the club. This ensures children have fun and can join in the range of activities alongside their friends.Management and staff ensure that the service provided is inclusive for all families.

Parents are able to contribute what they know about their child so that staff know their wishes. This helps to promote the needs of their child. For example, parents share key information about specific dietary needs and any medical needs.

This supports continuous and consistent care for children.

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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