Camp 4 Champs

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enter the holiday camp excited to begin their day of fun and enjoyable activities.

They register their attendance at the main registration desk with their parents and wave them goodbye. A coach greets them with a smile and takes them through to the main hall to sit with their group and coach. There, new children are introduced and found a 'buddy' to support them.

Children who have attended the camp before re-acquaint themselves, some giving their friends a good morning hug. Once all of the children are present, they listen attentively to the manager, who reminds them about safety and moving sensibly between the ac...tivities. Children enthusiastically interact during this introduction speech by shouting out the rules, when prompted.

For instance, they know about not leaving their group without their coach's knowledge, keeping well hydrated and being kind to each other.Children have a packed day of exciting and interesting activities. Those with parental permission enjoy a swimming session each day.

They are reminded about the 'rules of the pool' before being allowed to enter the water as the lifeguard gives a clear and informative safety briefing. Coaches supervise and monitor children from the pool side or sometimes join them in the pool. Children have fun with large inflatables, diving toys and light balls.

They are well behaved, know the rules and are respectful towards each other. They are encouraged to be independent, as staff always suggest they have a go before helping anyone who is struggling.

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

Leadership is strong.

The small chain of holiday camps is run by a company, comprised of three directors. Two of the directors work face to face with the children and staff at the camps, while the third organises bookings, staff rotas, training and general administrative issues. Each camp has a manager and a deputy who support staff and ensure that all the resources and equipment are on site and ready to go.

The camps are suitably staffed, mostly with qualified teachers or with people who are at university, working towards a teaching or coaching degree.Parents spoken to at the inspection share that their children love attending the holiday camps. They say how, as soon as one camp finishes, the children are asking to be booked to attend the next one.

Parents comment on how well the booking system works and how friendly and approachable the manager and staff are. Managers seek feedback from parents and children following every camp and act on any ideas or suggestions to continuously improve and develop the camps.Staff are caring, proficient and knowledgeable about the camp and the children.

Many staff return to work each holiday and build good relationships with the children. The staff team meets every morning before the children arrive to review the activities and discuss any specific needs of the children attending that day. This helps staff to be confident and to plan how to meet the needs of the children in their group.

Children enjoy participating in creative activities, often based around the festivals being celebrated at that time of year. For example, they carefully design how they would like to decorate their polystyrene egg on paper before embarking on the design on their actual egg. Their finished products are beautifully and brightly coloured, with some amazing patterns and designs.

Children cooperate as they join in with a cooking activity. They carefully measure the ingredients needed to make their shortcake biscuits, some shaped as fried eggs with yolks. Children share the bowls and take turns to mix the ingredients together.

Coaches help and support where needed. They encourage the children to describe how the dough feels on their hands and to consider solutions when their dough is either to dry or too sticky.Staff promote healthy eating and encourage children to develop their understanding of foods that are good for them.

They sit together at break and mealtimes and share conversations about foods they like. Children are able to buy treats from the 'tuck shop' once a day. Staff monitor how much they buy.

Older children often sell the tuck, providing a good opportunity for them to manage money and give the correct change.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders ensure that all staff complete training around safeguarding, including the 'Prevent' duty, before they begin working at the camps.

They remind staff about their safeguarding responsibilities during their morning briefing. Staff know the signs to be alert to and confidently describe how they would report any concerns. They would initially go to the designated safeguarding lead within the camp and, if necessary, the local safeguarding partners or the police.

Directors of the company have robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure that they employ suitable people. They review their ongoing suitability before each holiday camp. Staff receive a clear induction to inform them of the company's policies and prepare them for their roles.

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