Barracudas (Chislehurst)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and eager to participate in all the available activities. Children receive a warm welcome from staff, who accompany them to their designated room.

Children engage in free play and planned activities throughout the day. For example, they complete 'All About Me' books on arrival and are keen to share their self-portraits with each other. Children build new relationships as they share resources while playing in a pretend doctor's surgery area.

Staff encourage children to take turns and share. For instance, they role model imaginary play scenarios, such as examining each other's ears and administering inject...ions. Children are encouraged to make choices to help to build their confidence.

For example, they choose between clay modelling or foot golf. Children practise their gross motor skills as they guide a football around and through obstacles. Their delight is evident as they cheer each other on and smile at their successes.

Children use their imaginations and demonstrate a positive attitude towards activities. For instance, when modelling with clay, they persist in rolling and manipulating it into 'pirates' and 'princesses'. Children discuss their intentions and are keen to explain how and what they are doing.

They are kind and help each other to tidy up after activities, sensitively supported by staff, who praise them for their efforts.

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

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and are excellent role models. At the beginning of the week, staff introduce a behaviour chart and explain to children about the boundaries and health and safety rules.

Children who have attended before recall and share the expectations with their peers. Staff explain that positive behaviour warrants a move on the behaviour chart. They are keen to provide examples of the behaviour they expect, including 'good listening'.

Staff use a pictorial timetable to reinforce the routine. This helps to prepare children for the next activity. It also supports those children who struggle with transitions and helps all children to be included.

Children learn to keep themselves safe. For instance, they practise the fire evacuation procedure at the beginning of the week. Staff use a tour of the site to help children to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and facilities.

They role model how to move in the environment. For example, staff remind children to walk behind a staff member in a line. This helps children to have a smooth transition between activities and promotes their positive behaviour.

Children have many opportunities to develop their physical and personal skills. Staff capture children's interest as they read a story about a 'Selfish Crocodile'.Children listen in anticipation as they are asked to stretch like a giraffe and move like a crocodile, which they do with confidence.

Staff use the story to have discussions with children about oral hygiene and the importance of caring for their teeth. Children are eager to share their understanding of the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Staff are perceptive, following children's lead and including all children by inviting quieter members of the group to speak.

Staff receive a robust induction, which includes health and safety training. They comment that they feel supported by line managers. Staff are confident in their understanding of the company's policies, including accident and medication procedures.

Additional training is available for those staff who wish to upskill and specialise in a specific area, such as archery or motor sports. Specialist staff are employed to teach subjects, such as art and dance. This helps children to choose from a wide range of activities, depending on their interests.

Experienced leaders and managers are confident to support staff's professional development. They place a great emphasis on providing opportunities for staff's promotion within the organisation. Staff engage in regular meetings, which highlight areas of development and further training is put in place.

This ensures that staff have the skills and confidence to facilitate the activities for children.Parents report that their children are extremely happy. They welcome the daily feedback from the staff at the end of the day, which explains what their children have done.

Parents feel included and comment that any concerns are addressed immediately, and outcomes communicated. For instance, they welcome the new electronic enrolment procedure, and say that this has drastically reduced the morning registration process to help them be on time for work.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff receive safeguarding training as part of their induction. They can recognise the potential signs of abuse and know the procedures to follow should they have a concern. Staff are familiar with a range of safeguarding issues, such as extremist behaviour and are clear on the whistle-blowing policy.

The designated safeguarding lead attends external training to ensure that their knowledge is up to date. Leaders work closely with the staff who are responsible for the premises to confirm that they are safe. The company has a robust recruitment and induction procedure to make sure that all staff are suitable.