The Gap

The Gap Hexham Old Road, Ryton, Tyne and Wear, NE40 3ES

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 June 2017 22 January 2014

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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 manager and staff work well with the teachers in the host school. They obtain information about topics covered and work cooperatively to ensure children's continued learning. This consistency helps children to move confidently between settings.  Children behave extremely well. Staff have high expectations of behaviour and make sure children quickly learn what is acceptable and what is not. Children are very kind to their friends, calm and well mannered.  Staff use good teaching skills, supporting children to 'have a go', and provide lots of meaningful praise. The relationship between staff and children is warm and caring. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.  Staff provide children with lots of choice. For example, those children who choose to sit quietly and play can do so and those who choose to be more physically active can run around outdoors in the extensive outdoor area.

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This provision is good

 The club builds strong relationships with parents which ensure information can be shared effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to teach children further about healthy lifestyles. For example, children do not always have access to drinks when they become thirsty or practice regular handwashing to ensure good hygiene.  On occasions, staff do not promote children's independence skills well enough as they are too quick to intervene and prevent children doing things for themselves.

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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

 make even better use of all opportunities to help build on children's growing understanding of healthy lifestyles  strengthen all opportunities to promote children's independence even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities indoors and outdoors and the interactions between staff and children.  The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the club manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. Strong partnership work and good lines of communication with staff at the school help to strengthen this process. Effective recruitment procedures are in place to ensure staff are suitable to work with the children. Supervision meetings are regularly held to discuss and review staff's ongoing suitability and training requirements. The staff team reflect on their practice to maintain good outcomes for children. Since the last inspection, staff have improved how they collect the views of children and parents by implementing a suggestion box. Parents are kept fully informed about the care of their children and are extremely complimentary about the care their children receive at the club. They know that their children are happy and settled and state that staff members are friendly and supportive towards them. They appreciate the flexibility the club provides

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

and the information staff share with them ensures they know about children's experiences.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff involve children in discussions regarding the arrangements for the session. Children have a keen interest and engage in the wide range of experiences that staff provide and that incorporate children's ideas. Staff encourage children to work together. For example, older children help the younger ones in the group plant sunflower seeds. This demonstrates children's good social skills and provides them with good opportunities to develop an interest in the natural world. Outdoors, children become deeply involved and display their imagination during role play with friends. They play 'Police Stations' and discuss how they should make road blocks on the road. Indoors, children clearly enjoy socialising with the staff and their friends as they enjoy challenging board games. Staff work extremely closely with teachers to help ensure children's continued stimulating experiences as they move through school.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children of different ages develop friendships and enjoy playing together. They quickly settle on arrival and build close and respectful relationships with staff, which help to ensure their emotional well-being. Children's confidence to talk and share experiences with adults shows that they feel comfortable and self-assured. For example, together with staff they create an imaginative story. Staff listen carefully to them and encourage them to express their thoughts and imagination with purposeful questioning. Children learn about good nutrition and the benefits of exercise. For example, they have very good opportunities to be physically active outside and enjoy a healthy and nutritious snack. They develop an understanding of diversity beyond their immediate family experience through a range of activities that helps teach them effectively about people in the wider world.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 311859 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 1087776 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 - 10 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person The Gap Out of School Club Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 January 2014 Telephone number 0191 4136189

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reference number

The Gap registered in 1996. The club employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The club opens from Monday to Friday term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 9am and 3.15pm until 6pm.

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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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