Barracudas (Godalming)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children settle well.

They arrive at the club with enthusiasm and show they have good relationships with staff. This is demonstrated as they immediately discuss what activities they plan to do for the day. Staff provide a wide range of opportunities for children to be creative.

For example, they demonstrate to the children how to make the dream catchers as they weave different colour wool around the sticks. Children are enthusiastic and motivated to join in. They watch the staff and concentrate as they cut the wool for their dream catchers.

Children eagerly show staff when they have finished and look proudly at th...eir creations.Staff ignite children's imagination as they create dens on a woodland walk. Staff interact well with children.

They talk about the items they are using, such as logs and leaves, which they use to create chairs for the squirrels. Children have great fun as they take part in drama sessions. They cheerfully dance to pirate songs with their friends.

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. For example, they use the daily welcome session to help children learn how to keep themselves safe and be kind to their friends. Furthermore, they teach children the procedure in the event of a fire.

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

Leaders have taken steps to address actions raised at the previous inspection. For example, they have robust risk assessment systems in place to ensure that the site is safe and secure for the children. Staff demonstrate that they have a strong understanding of these procedures and communicate well as a team.

This helps keep the premises safe.Leaders plan a welcoming club for the children. They make full use of the areas within the school to meet the differing needs of the ages of children present.

Staff deploy themselves well to help children as they play. They ensure children are always supported by a familiar adult. Children know the staff that care for them and invite them into their play.

This helps children develop positive relationships.Staff plan activities to motivate children. Children are active in this club.

For instance, they exercise their large muscles playing parachute games and having swimming lessons. They strengthen their small finger muscles, as they use blocks to build towers. Staff show children how to safely carry large sticks in the wooded area.

Staff support children to develop an awareness of a healthy lifestyle. They encourage children to wash their hands before eating and to drink plenty of water after playing active games. Staff sit with children at mealtimes and encourage them to take care of their own belongings.

This is a sociable occasion.Staff encourage good manners and are respectful of the children's choices. Overall, children's behaviour is good.

However, some activities are not explained clearly enough by staff. This sometimes impacts children's behaviour. For example, on occasion, children run around and are not always sure what is expected of them.

Partnership with parents is strong. Staff share a wealth of information with parents. As such, parents are complimentary about the consistency of the staff and how they know their children well.

They say that this helps their children quickly settle into their days at the club.There is an established management team in place and, together, they accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the club. Leaders support their staff team effectively.

They mentor and supervise the staff who are training to be managers of the club. Leaders encourage staff to reflect, evaluate and make plans for the ongoing development and improvement of the club through daily discussions.The provider has rigorous recruitment procedures in place to help ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

Leaders support staff well through their induction. They work alongside staff, supporting practice. Staff have meetings to plan their professional development.

They say that they feel valued by the management team and they enjoy working at the club.

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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