Gilbert's Gang

Inspection of Gilbert's Gang St. Gilberts School, Foundry Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PP

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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'.

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This provision meets requirements

Children'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.

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need to do better?

n 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. n 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. n 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.

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need to do better?

n 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.

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need to do better?

30 June 2022 n 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. n 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. n Partnerships with the host school are strong. Most of the club staff work in the

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need to do better?

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. n 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.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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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Setting details

Unique reference number 2568762 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10238394 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

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inspection

Total number of places 64 Number of children on roll 92 Name of registered person Gilbert's Gang Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07957780222 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Gilbert's Gang re-registered in 2020. They operate from St Gilbert's Church of England Primary School in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The club employs 11 members of staff, eight of whom hold appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. They provide before- and after-school care and a holiday club. The breakfast club operates from 7.45am to 8.40am, and the after-school club operates from 3.15pm to 6pm. The holiday club operates for three weeks of the summer holidays, and two days each week of the half term holidays and Easter holidays. Opening times for the holiday club are 8am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the club. n A meeting was held with the manager. The inspector reviewed a sample of documents, including staff suitability checks and evidence of paediatric first-aid training. n The manager welcomed the inspector and the deputy manager showed her around the club room used by early years children. The manager discussed with the inspector the activities provided for children. n The inspector observed play opportunities for children indoors and outdoors. She spoke to staff in the setting. n The inspector spoke to children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

30 June 2022 regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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