Your assurance of our quality
Q: Are your camps registered?
Q: What assurance does Aiming Higher provide?
Q: Who are ROSPA and what support do they offer?
Q: Who are your staff?
Q: What is the ratio of staff to children?
Q: Is camp safe?
Q: Are your camps registered? [back to top]
All our camps are registered with Ofsted Early Years who ensure that the requirements of the National Standards are met. Camps are inspected at regular intervals and a written report summarises the results under the five following outcomes: - Being healthy - Staying safe - Enjoying and achieving - Making a positive contribution and Organisation. Each outcome is awarded a grade, with "Outstanding" being the highest result achievable. Barracudas reports and those of our competitors can all be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.uk. The registration process with Ofsted includes approval of all policies and procedures, interviews with senior staff and verification of the suitability of the camp venue. In short Ofsted ensures your child receives the quality of care you expect and demand. It is your assurance of our high standards.
Q: What assurance does Aiming Higher provide? [back to top]
Aiming Higher is a National quality assurance scheme for childcare settings. Quality assurance is essential to the development of any setting, as parents and children need to know that they are using high quality childcare. 4Children has developed Aiming Higher - a dynamic quality assurance programme for all childcare schemes, which involves self-assessment, portfolio building, site visit and a final independent assessment involving a national quality panel. The assessment covers all areas of the camp's operation from staff and facilities, to policies and procedures, and requires a lot of preparation from our 'all year round' team prior to the camps opening, as well as commitment from the staff working at camp.
All Barracudas sites operate to these high standards and are regularly assessed to make sure they are being maintained, ensuring that Barracudas remains the best activity camp for your children.
Q: Who are ROSPA and what support do they offer? [back to top]
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is a registered charity established over 80 years ago to campaign for change, influence opinion, contribute to debate, educate and inform. By providing information, advice, resources and training, ROSPA is actively involved in the promotion of safety and the prevention of accidents. As a member we can ensure that our systems, procedures and manuals comply with both best practice and current legislation.
Q: Who are your staff? [back to top]
Our staff are our greatest asset and one of the areas in which we really excel. This is down to our strict and thorough recruitment process. Staff are hand-picked from the teaching professions, colleges and universities. Significantly, we also have a very high number of returning staff, as well as many applicants from other summer camps. We received over 3000 applications last year, and employed over 550 staff at our 27 locations. The teams at each camp include a combination of qualified teachers, lifeguards, qualified instructors, teacher trainees and students.
Staff are selected for their attitude, values, enthusiasm and dedication to caring for children. Applicants are observed and selected through an intense but fun group selection and training session. During the sessions we provide detailed information on the camps, and clearly communicate our very high expectations. Applicants also complete tasks relevent to camp and are assessed by experienced Camp Managers and the Recruitment Team. Staff also undergo thorough 1:1 interviews.
Every member of staff provides a detailed application form, two professional references and copies of relevant qualifications. All successful applicants are then cleared through the Criminal Records Bureau and attend two induction training days prior to starting work at camp. The induction includes specific activity training and details of our many policies. Other topics covered are child protection, health and safety, risk assessments, bullying, equal opportunities, special needs and many more. We have dozens of other courses available to staff, delivered by National Governing Bodies and our own in house trainers. These include first aid, fencing, trampoline, archery, motorsports, "Lab Rats", circus skills, initiative games, childcare and lifeguarding. All of these give extensive training and some provide recognised qualifications.
With the quality of staff that we recruit and train we are able to deliver the most friendly camp atmosphere and fun activity sessions. We make sure that we get the best, so you and your children get the best too!
Q: What is the ratio of staff to children? [back to top]
The ratio of staff to children is 1:8 with children under 7 years; 1:10 with children aged 8 - 10 years; and 1:14 with children aged 11 and over. Your child will be in a group of approximately 25 children, led by two or three members of staff. When the group seperates for activites, they are joined by Activity Instructors. For example, a group of children might be led by a Group Co-Ordinator and Group Assistant. At the start of the first activity session the group divides into two smaller groups. One group would be led by the Group Co-Ordinator in their chosen activity, while the Group Assistant and the second group would be joined by an Activity Instructor to maintain the appropriate staff ratios. Our staff ratios in the swimming pools are 1:5 with the under 8s and 1:10 with the over 8s and always with a minimum of 3 staff at poolside. Our high staff ratios ensure that children feel very secure knowing there is always a friendly face close by. Children who have any worries or concerns always know to talk to their Group Co-Ordinator. Children are supervised at all times including at break and lunch times.
Q: Is camp safe? [back to top]
Yes! the following comments are taken directly from our Ofsted inspection reports;
Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the scheme which gives high priority to safety matters. Staff are vigilent in their supervision of the children both indoors and outside. The scheme has excellent practises in place to monitor and maintain the standards in relation to children's safety, for example detailed risk assessments are completed twice daily within the scheme and further checked by visiting staff from head office, to identify and reduce potential hazards. (Jane Plested, Ofsted Inspector- High Wycombe)
Children are eager to attend and relish their time in the vibrant and safe setting which puts them first. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised because staff are extremely vigilant and use thorough risk assessments, which are carried out regularly to reduce potential hazards. Staff have an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. (Julie Washer, Ofsted Inspector - Bishops Stortford)
Childrens safety is a very high priority within the activity camp. Staff have an excellent understanding of the locations written procedures to keep children safe. Through the extensive recorded risk assessments and observations, they identify and reduce possible harm to children. For example staff are vigilent about unexpected risks, such as wet and slippery surfaces, which are created by heavy rainfall. They promptly act to remove them. Staff supervise children closely in all areas of camp. (Leslie Gadd, Ofsted Inspector - Norwich)
Staff clearly and regularly explain the safety rules to children, and close supervision minimises risks and maximises safety. For example, before every swimming session, children receive a talk about the rules around the pool. (Jill Steer, Ofsted Inspector - Horsham)
Safety is given high priority by the staff who are vigilant in their supervision both when moving around the setting and during activities. (Ofsted inspector - Bedford)
