YMCA Fairthorne Manor Daycamps

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children build good relationships with the friendly and approachable staff.

They quickly and happily engage in the routine of the day and outdoor play activities. Children follow the staff's clear instructions on safety procedures well. Staff highlight hazards and risks to children and help them understand how to keep everyone safe.

Children are keen to join in the challenging play activities, which vary from den making in the woods, to zip wire and reciting new songs around the campfire. Staff are well trained, paying close attention to child safety. Children enjoy talking to staff and visitors about what they do at the c...lub.

They show excitement and confidence during their play. The staff interact well with children to help them feel included. Children develop a keen sense of belonging and enjoy returning to the club during the school holidays.

Staff are attentive and sympathetic to children's different needs and emotions. They show a good understanding of young children, whom they frequently engage with and talk to. Children are encouraged to express their ideas and have a voice during the play activities.

They demonstrate good behaviour because staff have high expectations of them and are positive role models.

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

Children show a strong bond with staff and to their friends. They play harmoniously, such us when they make dens in the wood.

For example, two children work together with enthusiasm and with one at each end, they carry a large log. They discuss their dens and talk articulately about the habitats for various creatures, real and imaginary.Children who are new to the club, smile and appear settled, fully taking part in the activities.

The small team of staff support the newest children's emotional well-being appropriately. However, the role of the key person is not specifically focused on new children who are less familiar with the club and the activities.Children benefit from being active, such as when they eagerly talk about the fun they have on the jumping pillow.

Staff demonstrate they have robust risk assessments in place for high-risk equipment, such as this. For example, the jumping pillow is not used when wet or muddy and children take part in creative indoor activities instead.Effective leadership by the management team ensures that all staff are clear on their roles and responsibilities.

New staff benefit from a robust induction that supports them to fulfil their daily roles successfully. Permanent staff undertake regular supervision and temporary day-camp staff are monitored and given coaching to develop their knowledge and practice.The leaders and managers use self-evaluation and reflection well to make sure they sustain good practice.

They share lessons learned at other YMCA settings to ensure they continually improve what they offer children.Parents report positively about the club and the staff team. They state their children very much enjoy their time at the club and there is good communication with the staff.

The leaders and staff gain good information about children before they start at the club, to be able to meet their individual needs. For example, staff know the children with allergies and carry their medication from activity to activity, in the first-aid kit. Children who need extra support are given it, after discussion with the children's parents.

Children show good motivation and positive attitudes during the daily routine and play activities. They are well behaved and quickly learn the rules of the club. For example, after snack time children line up eagerly, ready to go pond dipping.

The leaders and managers provide free holiday provision for eligible children, in line with the government funding 'Holiday activities and food programme'. Parents report their children benefit from outdoor activities, such as climbing and enjoy the nutritious, hot midday meal.The staff team follow vigilant procedures for the collection of children at the end of the day.

They have clear safety procedures in place, which are followed closely by the staff. Accidents are documented well. They are monitored and evaluated by the lead activity programme trainer to help ensure hazards on equipment are kept to a minimum.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Staff have a keen awareness of their safeguarding responsibilities and have an up-to-date knowledge of their good child protection policies. They are trained well to understand the procedures they must follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare or are worried about an adult.

Staff are knowledgeable about wider safeguarding issues, such as children and families drawn into County Lines and illegal cultural practices on females. The staff team show they follow correct child protection procedures when they are worried about a child and keep associated records. The provider uses safe recruitment procedures when employing new staff.

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