Ultimate Activity Camps at Headington Prep School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are happy and content. Most children know their surroundings well as they attend the school and are aware of their play environments.

Those children who do not attend the school receive positive support through explanations and engagement to become familiar with the areas they use. Staff are very aware of children's interests and effectively adapt the activities to promote these. For example, children who prefer to play outside take part in a bug-house building activity.

Staff extend the time allocated to ensure children finish this play to their satisfaction.Children's confidence grows during the well-planned act...ivities and play experiences. Staff effectively interact and engage with children in conversations to help link the play to their interest and preferences.

Children feel secure and welcomed into the setting through the positive relationships developed with the staff.Children develop close friendships with staff and other children. Staff support this well through team games and activities.

For example, during nature trails, staff pair children up with others who have similar interests. They use effective questions to encourage children to make bonds and develop team work and cooperative play.Children are cared for by familiar staff.

Managers carefully plan staffing arrangements so that children receive consistent care. Staff who work with younger children have the relevant qualifications and experiences to understand how to meet younger children's needs.

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

Staff are enthusiastic to continuously attend training to meet the ongoing needs for the children in the camp.

Managers regularly assess staff's understanding of procedures and policies and how these are successfully implemented on a daily basis.Staff support children to meet their own personal needs effectively. Children confidently explain why they need to wash their hands after outdoor play, before lunch and snacks and after toileting.

Staff positively promote children's dignity and privacy when using the bathroom, with sensitive support to manage their own needs.Staff plan a wide range of stimulating and interesting activities that provides children with a good balance of indoor and outdoor experiences. Children confidently voice their opinions about what they like best.

Staff recognise this and use feedback from children to vary the experiences to support their preferences. For example, some children prefer more physical games. Staff incorporate more team work and leadership responsibilties during games, such as dodgeball.

However, on some occasions, the activities for this age range do not stretch and challenge some children enough. There is limited flexibility for these children to join older children's activities and experiences to fully meet their needs.Staff highly promote children's physical well-being.

Children experience physical activities in both indoor and outdoor environments. They gain fresh air, exploring their surroundings and learning to appreciate the natural world. They are reminded to regularly drink water and take regular snacks.

Staff encourage children and parents to provide healthy options to encourage children's understanding of a healthy diet and nutrition. Children enthusiastically show staff and their friends what healthy foods they are eating for their lunch.Children learn to keep themselves safe.

Staff give clear explanations as to how to use equipment safely, to protect children from hazards and harm. They help children to assess their play environments themselves. This helps children to thoroughly enjoy their play experiences in a safe and secure environment.

Staff are well deployed and provide children with positive interactions and engagements. Children listen to rules and boundaries, and learn to understand how to play group games cooperatively. They learn to negotiate through these activities by talking through roles and responsibilities to support harmonious play.

For example, staff and children explain to each other who are sharks in the parachute game and ensure everyone has this opportunity by swapping roles successfully.Parents are welcomed by the children's key person. Staff build professional and positive relationships with parents, exchanging information about the care needs for individual children.

However, parents do not always know what activities their children have participated in.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.