www.barracudas.co.uk

“Giving every child such an amazing experience they can’t wait to come back!”

Activity day camps for children
Barracudas day camps are for children aged 4 1/2 - 16 years, who want to try new activities, meet new friends of the same age and most importantly have fun! What better way can there be to break up the long school holidays?

Who are Barracudas?
Barracudas is now in its 15th year of providing the most popular activity day camps in the UK. Since Barracudas first started in 1992 they have seen many changes, and have grown from two very small camps to 27 exciting locations for 2006. However, certain core values have remained constant. They have always sought the opinions of parents, which means that their customers views genuinely shape the services on offer. Barracudas invest hugely in staff training, with time, energy and expertise to ensure all staff fully understand, and are committed to outstanding customer service. Recognition of this good work has seen them receive the "Investors in People" award. Barracudas continuously work to provide a professional service that values innovation and fun at its core!

Core Values
Of paramount importance at Barracudas is the welfare, excitement and enjoyment of all the children attending. Parents can be assured that they are second to none when it comes to achieving this with:
· The most caring and professional staff
· The safest centres
· The widest range of activities
· The most up to date equipment
· The safest instruction
· The closest attention to detail

Activity Programme
There are over 40 activities available including motor sports, aquaslide, archery, fencing, swimming, dance, drama, arts & crafts, football, trampoline, circus skills, wacky racers, fizz bombs to name just a few! Each day consists of 6 activity sessions where the children are given a choice of what they would like do, so can create their own programme.

Booking Options
When booking with Barracudas parents can choose anything from one day to six weeks, and opt for a range of Intensive courses. The camps are open from 8.45am - 5.15pm. Busy parents can also take advantage of the AM and PM Clubs (8am – 6pm), which provide extra time at the beginning and end of the day. Quite simply, dates and times are tailored to suit parents and the activity programme to suit the children.

OFSTED Registered
It's sometimes difficult for parents to compare different summer camps. Most are similar, but there are differences and it's the differences that matter! All activity camps and childcare providers should be registered with OFSTED and inspected at least every couple of years. Do not use a camp that isn't registered! Camps are graded as outstanding and inadequate at the top and bottom of the spectrum, with satisfactory and good being the two grades in between.

OFSTED grades camps on how organised they are, the enjoyment levels, safety procedures, how they look after children's health and how they encourage children to make a positive contribution. These grades are then used to give the camp or facility an overall grade.

The results of these inspections are on the OFSTED website www.ofsted.gov.uk. It's always worth checking this to make sure the provider is meeting all of the National Standards and providing quality childcare.

Quality Assurance
As well as being the only activity camp to be officially classified by OFSTED as ‘outstanding’, Barracudas are the only major day camp operator to be voluntarily assessed by the Government backed quality assurance scheme, Aiming High.

All of the centres with wheelchair access that were inspected in 2005 achieved the highest possible grade - Level 3. All of those without wheelchair access achieved the highest grade for sites without that facility - Level 2.

Barracudas are delighted to be able to back up their claim to be the best activity summer camp operator in the UK with evidence from independent and authoritative sources like OFSTED and 4Children.

Recruitment
Barracudas are always looking for new staff to join the ever-increasing teams as the camps grow in size each year!

Staff are hand-picked from the teaching professions, colleges and universities. Significantly, there is also a very high number of returning staff, as well as many applicants from other summer camps.

This year over 3500 applications were received and over 620 staff employed at 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 detailed information on the camps is provided, and the high expectations clearly communicated. Applicants also complete tasks relevant 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.

Anyone interested in working with Barracudas for the 2007 season should contact the Barracudas recruitment team on 01480 497533 or visit www.barracudas.co.uk to apply online.

Parents - 0845 123 5299                    Recruitment - 01480 497533

Bridge House, 23 Bridge Street, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5EH

www.barracudas.co.uk