Gilbert’s Gang

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Children are very happy to come to club and staff greet them with a warm welcome. Some children greet their friends, who they have not seen during the day, with a hug. Children settle quickly to a range of activities.

Staff show a keen interest in what children are doing and engage in their play. For example, a group of children show staff how to fold paper to create a 'dog'. They spend a long time at this creative activity, using their skills to colour the paper.

Children confidently communicate their views and share their experiences of the club. They tell visitors they enjoy the club and the best bit is 'playing'. Child...ren's views about the club are listened to and are valued.

Staff encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas about what they would like to do of a morning or evening. This contributes to children's high levels of engagement in activities. Early years children help to prepare a treat of strawberries for their friends.

They cut up the fruit and know they must hold the knife carefully to keep themselves safe. Children show their mathematical skills and count up to 15 pieces of strawberry. Children's behaviour is good.

They show respect for staff and each other as they engage in meaningful conversations. Children follow instructions well. When they hear a bell ring, they know it is time to stop and listen.

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

The manager has an organised and methodical approach to running the club. She maintains all policies and procedures to a high standard. Staff thoroughly enjoy working at the club.

They comment their well-being is always supported by the manager saying, 'She always puts others before herself.' This helps to promote a happy team that work well together to support children.The manager is very reflective.

She evaluates the experiences children have in the club. She gathers the views of parents and children and uses the information to plan future activities and improve the service which she provides. For example, when a parent requested an earlier start time in the morning this was explored as an option and later implemented.

Staff encourage the children to use the outdoor equipment safely. They gently remind children they do not sit on the bars on apparatus in case they fall backwards. This contributes to children's understanding of rules.

Staff place good emphasis on promoting children's social and emotional development. Early years children have a named key person, who knows them well and supports them to feel secure. Staff ensure they reflect children's interests in the activities they provide.

Staff are responsive to children's needs and join in with their games when asked. Children build strong bonds with each other and with staff.Children benefit from super opportunities to develop their large-muscle skills and be physically active on the large, well-equipped, host school field.

They take on challenges, such as balancing and climbing on the trim trail equipment. Children show good coordination as they play team games, such as rounders and tennis.Staff make sure children learn about healthy food choices and positive hygiene practices to help promote their good health.

On arrival at the club, children can choose a piece of fruit for snack. At teatime, staff encourage children to choose healthy choices from their 'packed tea' provided by parents from home. For those children that have club snack, staff make sure they meet children's dietary needs.

Children know to wash their hands before eating. They drink water throughout the afternoon and staff remind them to keep hydrated.Partnerships with the host school are strong.

Most of the club staff work in the host school. Staff have good relationships with the teachers. For example, they talk to staff each day as they collect the children and are aware of the topics that are being explored in school.

This, overall, helps to support consistency for children's learning.Staff develop, overall, good partnerships with parents. Information is shared mainly face to face on drop off and collection.

Parents comment their children enjoy coming to the club. They say they know who they can talk to if there are any rare issues. This helps to promote continuity of care between club and home.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The manager and staff receive regular training regarding child protection and receive updates about safeguarding issues. They are able to identify possible signs of abuse and neglect, including what action to take if they have any concerns about a child's welfare.

All staff are subject to appropriate checks to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Throughout the session, staff deploy themselves well, this helps to ensure the close supervision of children. The manager ensures that a suitable number of staff hold an appropriate first-aid qualification to meet the needs of children in any potential medical emergency.

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