Active Camps - Oxford

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children have fun and enjoy their time at the holiday camp. They are keen to take part in the wide variety of activities on offer. Children are comfortable in the care of the friendly and welcoming staff.

They get to know the other children in their group and settle quickly. Children behave well and are considerate of one another. For instance, they take turns to hold the door open for each other.

Children thank their friends politely and display good manners.Children experience the benefits of spending plenty of time outside. They learn about the importance of staying in the shade when the weather is too hot and drinking ...water to keep hydrated.

Younger children become immersed in imagining they are going on a safari adventure. They tiptoe through the trees as they pretend to search for animals. They discuss the different sounds they can hear and things they can see as they explore together.

Children are engaged, focused and are confident to share their thoughts and ideas. Older children relish the challenge of scaling the vertical climbing wall and ladders on the adventure playground. They keep trying and persevere as they encourage each other to get to the top.

Children move around the play equipment absorbed in their make-believe games. They are happy and have fun together.

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

Leaders carefully consider how to organise the camp to best meet the needs of the children attending.

They separate children into their different age groups and provide activities that are suitable for their abilities. Staff remain in the same group to provide consistent care and get to know the children well.Children benefit from high energy activities throughout the day.

For example, they participate in team games of football and dodgeball. Younger children race around as they play tag. They laugh and giggle as they chase each other during a game of 'What's the time Mr Wolf.'

They relish the opportunities to be physically active.Staff recognise that children need periods of rest and time to unwind. Children listen to stories and look at books independently.

They play with toy dinosaurs and build structures with blocks. Staff join in their play and ensure children are supported to get involved with something that interests them.Staff provide children with opportunities to be creative.

For example, younger children make animal masks. They stick different materials together and carefully cut out holes for eyes. Older children work together in small groups to make three-dimensional structures.

They discuss their ideas and collaborate to build their creations. Staff praise and celebrate children's hard work. Children demonstrate pride in their achievements.

Staff clearly explain the rules and behavioural expectations of the camp to children before activities. Children demonstrate their understanding of these by listening and following staff's clear instructions. Where children struggle with their behaviour, staff gently and sensitively support them to make positive choices.

Leaders are committed to ensuring they provide an inclusive camp. They aim to meet the needs of all children that attend. They put in place effective support for vulnerable children and children with special educational needs and/ or disabilities.

Staff liaise effectively with parents and/or carers to ensure they know children well and have all the information they need to successfully provide them with good quality care and experiences.Leaders make use of staff's knowledge and skills to enhance the provision they can offer to children. For example, staff that speak different languages help children that speak English as an additional language by explaining instructions in their home language.

They translate for children when they do not understand and help them to learn new words and phrases in English. Children benefit immensely from this support that increases their ability to join in and become fully involved in all the experiences.Staff involve children in planning the camp themes and activities.

They talk to children about their interests and favourite things. Staff listen to children's feedback and use their suggestions to create the routine for the next day. Children are valued and develop a sense of belonging in the camp.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.Leaders place the highest priority on children's safety when attending the camp. They risk assess the premises to ensure hazards to children are minimised.

Staff communicate effectively with one another to ensure children are safely supervised when moving around the site. Leaders ensure that staff's suitability to work with children is checked. They have robust recruitment and induction procedures in place to ensure staff understand their responsibilities.

Staff understand how to report any concerns they may have about children's welfare. They know the signs that may suggest a child is at risk of abuse. Staff know what to do if they are worried about the conduct of adults working with children.

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