Ultimate Activity Camps At Maltman’s Green School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children enjoy their time at this welcoming, well-run camp.

Throughout the session, there is the sound of cheerful chatter and laughter. Children greet visitors with curiosity and talk about their experiences at the club and home.Children are happy and have fun playing with their friends.

Staff consider children's interests and ideas when planning activities. For example, children have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children learn about the Olympic Games, and eagerly take part in games, practising exercises such as star jumps and the plank.

Children understand how to behave at the camp. ...Staff use explanations and gentle reminders to help children manage their emotions and consider others. For example, each morning new children are identified immediately and greeted by attentive staff, who make extra effort to ensure they settle quickly.

This helps children to learn how to behave well and familiarise themselves with the camp's rules.Children are confident communicators. Staff engage with children during meaningful conversations, listening to their views and opinions.

For example, children enjoyed exploring the wooded area, searching for a range of objects they had been tasked to find on their scavenger hunt. Children are confident and self-assured. They feel safe and secure at summer camp.

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

Professional development is strong. Staff say that they are very well supported. Newer members of staff value the support that they are given from other colleagues, alongside that provided by the managers.

Head office staff provide an extensive amount of support, both prior to the camp running and during the camp's opening period. Robust induction and supervision procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and have a strong understanding of their role.Staff encourage conversations about the benefits of healthy food on children's bodies and children understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

For example, children know that it is important to drink regularly when playing energetically. They use the regular breaks to rehydrate and look forward to lunch and snack times.Partnerships with parents are strong.

Parents state they are very happy with the service the camp provides. They find the staff team approachable and flexible to meet the individual needs of their children. Parents state that their children enjoy attending the camp and that, sometimes, children request to attend additional sessions, as they enjoy their time at the camp so much.

The leadership team seek parents', staff's and children's views and act on these to drive improvement. Parents are particularly positive and comment that they are impressed by the communication of the changes made to the setting during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In particular, the information made available to them has helped to reassure them that their children are safe at camp.

Staff know individual children well and are attentive to their needs. Children form strong bonds with staff and are happy and confident. Younger children enjoy accessing the designated early years room, where they can take time to rest and relax.

Children are motivated to explore and investigate and, overall, show good levels of curiosity and concentration at camp. However, sometimes, during longer and larger group activities, some children find it difficult to maintain their interest. The organisation of these activities does not consistently support the different ages and needs of children at these times.

The camp offers children plenty of opportunities to be physically active and practise their sports skills. For example, children can take part in games of dodgeball, archery, parachute games, tennis and swimming. This helps children develop confidence and teamwork, as well as benefiting from valuable exercise.

There are plenty of enjoyable options for children who are not as interested in sports and children are able to follow their interests. For example, children enjoy creative activities, such as drawing and drama. Younger children particularly enjoy the 'story adventure', where children make up their own stories, using their own characters, such as unicorns, foxes and rabbits.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The leadership team and all staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures. They all complete relevant safeguarding training.

They are aware of the possible indicators that could suggest a child is at risk of harm. Staff know the steps to take if they have concerns about a child's welfare, including exposure to extreme views and behaviour. There are robust recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

Staff are vigilant about security. The entrance doors remain locked and staff ensure children are closely supervised. Staff complete risk assessments to ensure the premises remain safe.

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