Keen Bean Camps

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children of all ages have great fun at this inclusive and welcoming camp.

The friendly and enthusiastic staff greet them warmly as they arrive. Children are eager to choose from the exciting activities that are set up in the spacious environments, both indoors and outdoors. Many children attend the host school, and so friendships are already well established.

Staff are caring and attentive to children who are new to the camp, helping them to settle and get to know the daily routines. Children develop strong bonds with staff and each other. They demonstrate they feel safe and secure.

Children are friendly and polit...e and develop good social skills. They confidently describe their favourite activities to visitors. Children have very good opportunities to work as a team, be active and play outdoors.

For example, they take part in physical activities such as dodgeball, archery, pedal go-karts, field games and swimming. Younger children are introduced to different sports and thoroughly enjoy their visits to the pirate ship climbing frame. They go on nature walks, and take part in singing and dancing, dressing up and role-play activities.

Children know the camp routines well and happily tidy up before they sit at the table for meals. These are social occasions, and children enjoy talking to each other as they eat. Staff support children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

They encourage children to bring healthy snacks and lunches. Children take part in a wide range of activities to promote their physical health and well-being.

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

The experienced and knowledgeable manager is assisted by a very dedicated and enthusiastic staff team.

They work extremely well together and excellent use is made of their different skills, qualifications and experience. Staff are exceptionally good role models. The well-organised programme of activities runs very smoothly, and all staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities.

Staff encourage children to try different activities and learn new skills. They clearly enjoy being with the children and are very attentive and encouraging.Children's behaviour is exemplary.

They are kind and thoughtful to each other. Older children are happy to help younger children. They share their resources and involve them in their games.

The mixed-age groups help to create a relaxed, family atmosphere. Children treat each other with respect and enjoy the time they spend together.Staff are very skilled at supporting all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Staff adapt their levels of support to each child's abilities. This helps to ensure that all children have the opportunity to enjoy activities with their friends. They are encouraged and supported to take a full and active role at the camp.

Children can choose to take part in a range of theatrical activities, including singing, dancing, drama and craft work. For example, children sing songs from well-known stage shows and enjoy making beautiful masks of the characters. Drama sessions help to develop children's coordination, confidence, voice projection and memory skills.

Younger children happily come together for their morning welcome meeting. They eagerly introduce themselves and participate in discussions. Children sit and listen well as they take turns to tell each other about their favourite book.

Staff continually talk to children, asking them meaningful questions. They value children's comments, encouraging them to become confident communicators and express their views.Staff communicate well with parents and keep them fully informed.

At the end of each day, staff share children's achievements and the activities they have enjoyed. Parents say their children have fun and enjoy their time at the camp. They can access information from the camp's website and social media.

There are strong links with the host school. Some staff also work at the school, which helps to provide continuity for children.Children participate in activities that support them in extending their knowledge while they have fun.

For example, children develop their understanding of the natural world as they watch caterpillars make their cocoons before becoming beautiful butterflies. They are fascinated by the ant farm and enjoy using magnifying glasses to hunt for bugs when they go for walks in the forest area.Staff have daily meetings to share their thoughts on what they do well and where they could improve.

The manager observes staff and helps them to extend their skills and abilities. He ensures all staff complete mandatory training, including paediatric first aid and safeguarding. The manager supports staff's well-being and professional development.

He is passionate in providing an extremely high-quality service for children and their families.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a very good understanding of their responsibility to keep children safe.

The provider, who is also the manager and designated safeguarding lead, is clear about the processes to follow should he have any concerns about children's welfare. He carries out relevant checks on staff and ensures that they are suitable to work with children. Staff receive regular training, which helps to keep them up to date with current safeguarding issues.

There are robust procedures in place to sign children in and out of the camp. Staff supervise children well. They want all children to have fun in a safe and secure environment.

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