The Gap

The Gap Hargate Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 1PH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 October 2016 26 October 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The management team has worked hard to bring about a marked improvement in the overall quality of the club. Partnerships with parents, schools and the local authority advisor are good. These help staff to identify accurate targets for driving forward ongoing improvements that promote the vital skills children need to support them in school.  Staff cheerfully welcome parents and children when they arrive in the morning. They engage in children's play, following their lead and interests at all times. Children form positive and trusting relationships with staff and other children.  Staff place a strong focus on listening to children and respecting their views. Children's suggestions and ideas are included in the planning. Staff provide children with a wide range of exciting activities and experiences.  Children experience physical challenge and take manageable risks in their play through regular visits to the adventure playground within the local country park.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some staff do not always keep children engaged well enough during the changeover of routines.  Staff do not always seek enough information from parents when children first start so that they can build on their current interests.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 reflect on the day-to-day organisation of the club so that children are effectively engaged during the changeover of routines  gather more information from parents about their child when they first start, in order to promote a more shared approach in identifying and supporting children's interests from the outset.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff's practice during activities indoors.  The inspector looked at the records about children and the planning documentation.  The inspector completed a joint observation of a children's activity with the centre manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the centre manager. She checked the evidence of the suitability of the staff, the self-evaluation process and the improvement plan.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, staff and children spoken to on the day.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Most staff have attended training on the principles of risk assessment. They are able to effectively identify risks and take measures to reduce them in the indoor and outdoor environment and on outings. The management team and staff have a good understanding of their responsibilities for protecting children from abuse or neglect. There are robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff. The management team ensures staff's ongoing suitability is monitored and there is an effective induction process. Furthermore, staff receive regular individual support meetings where they can seek advice and discuss their future training requirements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are highly effective at supporting all children in their play and learning. Children choose to follow their own interests, for example, playing with the small-world train track. They are engrossed in their play as they design and build a column to support the train track where it connects to the sloping bridge. Children investigate the concept of force as they try to connect the magnet coupled trains. During this activity, staff use commentary to extend children's understanding and use questions that challenge them to think. They develop their strong 'can do' attitude because staff use meaningful praise and encourage their exploration and investigations. Children investigate and explore dough. The physical skills of dexterity and coordination needed for writing are refined as children roll and shape their creations. Children enjoy the shared experience of playing sports games together on the games console. They take turns and share tips with one another. Children

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

make their own choices and establish their own ideas as they learn new concepts and solve problems in their play throughout the day.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff promote children's good health very well. They provide children with meals and snacks that are nutritious and well balanced. Children enjoy daily access to the outside play area, where they enjoy playing football and basketball. They take manageable risks in their play as they test their physical skills on the trampoline outside. Staff and children show real pleasure as they dance together and follow the correct moves to party music. This fosters children's social interaction and encourages them to learn movement patterns that teach coordination. Staff use a wide range of effective approaches to encourage children's positive behaviour. Children enjoy playing with their peers, but they also benefit from contact with older and younger children. Older children show empathy and help younger children to put on their painting aprons and look for their coats. Children are confident and happy and talk freely and enthusiastically to staff and visitors about what

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY317663 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1058280 Type of provision Out of school provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 4 - 12 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Christian Youth & Community Service (Bridging the Gap) Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 October 2015 Telephone number 0121 5254442

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reference number

The Gap was registered in 2006 and is managed by a non-profit voluntary organisation. The club employs five members of childcare staff. The centre manager holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6. Two other staff hold qualifications at level 3 and two at level 2. The club opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 9am and from 3pm until 6pm during term time and from 8am until 6pm during school holidays.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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