Barracudas (Norwich)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are busy and happy during their time at the club. They are familiar with the daily routines, remembering to put their rubbish in the correct bins after snack and finding their group leader at the start of each activity session. Staff know children well.

They make use of information from parents and notes on the club's registration tablet to learn about each child and their needs. Staff consider children's interests and previous experiences as they plan the activities for the week. They ensure an appropriate level of challenge as well as opportunities for children to rest and engage in quieter activities amidst the busy and... fun schedule of sessions.

Children develop positive relationships with staff and readily join in with conversations. They listen carefully to instructions and enthusiastically join in with 'call and response' when in large groups. Staff ask children questions about their previous experiences with watching and playing sports.

They talk about the Olympics and recent sports day activities. Staff use this information to encourage and praise children's efforts. Staff have high expectations for children.

They remind children of key rules, such as having 'listening ears, walking feet' and 'kind hands'. Older children are encouraged to agree additional 'group' rules together. This helps them to think about acceptable behaviour and take ownership of this as a group.

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

Leaders and managers at the club have a secure understanding of their roles. They regularly use audits and observations, alongside parent and child feedback, to check the quality and standards of the service. Staff understand the purpose and ethos of the club well and make good use of the club's online training modules to develop their professional knowledge and skills.

They know how to access support from leaders and managers to work towards promotions or specialist roles.Children take part in a huge variety of engaging activities, such as energetic exercise and sport, crafts and tabletop games. Children talk about their favourite sessions, including modelling with clay, swimming and 'mini-Olympic' games.

They also include novel experiences, such as learning to drive small quad bikes and fencing or 'sword-fighting', in their drawings of 'favourite things to do at Barracudas'.Staff clearly demonstrate and explain new skills or techniques. They make use of humour to effectively capture children's attention and make the session briefings fun.

For instance, they model what might happen if you run too fast with an egg on a spoon. Staff check children's understanding before moving on.Children develop friendships and a sense of belonging at the club.

They clap and cheer for their friends during sports activities. Children wait patiently for their turn to use equipment or join a relay race and talk sociably with their friends and staff while they wait.Staff provide encouragement and praise throughout the day.

They recognise kind and helpful behaviours, as well as children's personal achievements or progress. Children readily help staff to tidy away equipment and toys.Parents praise the standard of care and the variety of activities.

They appreciate the 'brilliant, professional' staff and social atmosphere of the club. Parents also note how children access plenty of physical exercise while attending, with daily swim sessions and specialist sports and dance staff providing sessions.Staff plan varied activities for early years children linked to a common theme, such as a familiar book.

They introduce the activities by reading the book to the group. Children demonstrate a high level of interest in stories and are keen to join in. Sometimes, staff do not provide children with opportunities to explore key aspects of the story or illustrations, to help complement their early literacy and thinking skills.

Staff make use of walkie-talkies to communicate with other groups and coordinate their activities. They work well as a team and take actions to support others, such as putting out equipment for the next group, which helps the day to run smoothly and maximises the time children have to enjoy activities. At times, transitions between whole club activities, such as snack to the next activity, can become noisy and hectic.

Consequently, children can find it hard to hear their group leader and become restless or disengaged as they wait to move on to the next session.

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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