Maidenhead children's activity camp earns Ofsted praise for care and safety

Ofsted has given a highly positive evaluation of a summer camp operating out of a Maidenhead school.

Barracudas is a company which offers activity day camps. Registered in 2023, Barracudas Maidenhead operates from St Piran's School in Gringer Hill.

The camp is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm during the school holidays.

The provider currently employs 43 members of staff to work at the camp. Of these, 15 hold qualifications at level 6 or above.

An inspection in July took place just so Ofsted could make sure the setting met the quality and standards necessary for an early years provision.

In their findings, they reported that children ‘are greeted by friendly staff at this welcoming setting’.

“The early years manager is passionate about the care provided for the youngest of children,” wrote Ofsted.

Children settle quickly and build secure bonds with the staff caring for them. Children show they feel safe and secure.

Staff gather information from parents to help meet children's individual needs. Overall, staff keep parents updated – daily timetables are provided for parents.

There are plenty of activities which encourage children to learn team building skills, such as tag rugby and football. This helps them build and make new friendships.

Staff provide information to children about what is happening next even for the youngest children, which helps them decide what they want to do.

Children have ‘ample opportunities’ to be physically active and also learn about leading a healthy lifestyle.

For example, younger children have reward charts to record when they eat their fruit and vegetables.

Activities are planned around a theme of the week, and children take part in a variety of activities that link to the theme.

This helps them to learn about the world around them and to understand the differences between themselves and others.

Children ‘behave well’ and follow instructions well. Staff ‘are good role models’ and embed the rules of the setting, explaining to children why these keep them safe.

Staff support children to understand their emotions and how to manage these.

Younger children have areas they can retreat to if they need some quiet time, which helps them to regulate their emotions.

Children are able to spend time away from the main groups and use sensory resources when they feel overwhelmed.

For special needs children, staff use a ‘range of strategies’ to support them and ‘work closely with parents’ to make relevant changes.

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the club, Ofsted added; they have a secure understanding of their individual roles and work well as a team.

Staff communicate well with each other, ensuring staff deploy themselves effectively and children are supervised well.

There is an ‘open and positive culture’ around safeguarding. Staff have regular training in this, which ensures they know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child or adult.

Daily risk assessments are completed on the areas that children use, with separate risk assessments for individual activities.

For example, when children are taking part in an archery activity, staff ensure they follow the risk assessment to keep children and staff safe.