Staffing at Lamesley Childcare Gateshead

Our staff

“Good quality and better cognitive outcomes for children are associated with higher qualification in staff”
(Siraj-Blatchford 2004)

Our highly qualified staff team hold qualifications ranging from NVQ level 2 to BA Hons (greater than that required by Ofsted).

Between us we have experience of working in day nurseries, children’s centres, education, crèche provision, national charities and many of the staff are working parents, so understand how parents feel when leaving their children in someone else’s care.

Each of the clubs has a staffing structure of a manager (minimum qualification NVQ level 3), Deputy Manager (also minimum qualification NVQ level 3) and Playworkers who currently hold Level 2 to Level 3 qualifications in Playwork/Early Years and an experienced, unqualified playworker. We have a 1:10 ratio for children under eight years and a 1:13/15 ratio for children over eight in our afterschool club and a 1:10 ratio for children under eight years and a 1:13/15 ration for children over eight years in our breakfast clubs.

All staff are required to have up to date statutory training in Child Protection, Food Hygiene, Paediatric First Aid, Health and Safety, Manual Handling and Mental Health Awareness. Our staffing structure means that our childcare is reliable – there are no issues with last minute cancellations due to staff illness, staff holidays or low attendance – you can rely on our service 39 weeks of the school year and all school holidays (see your club manager for closure days).

Management team

Lamesley Childcare is managed by a Board of Directors, who undertake the role on a voluntary basis in accordance with the legal structure of the organisation, a Limited Company with charitable status.

There are three Directors with professional management experience of working within Education, Ofsted, the national organisation supporting the out of school sector, NHS and accountancy. One of the Directors is also a parent with children who access or who have accessed in the past, services from Lamesley Childcare and have the additional benefit of being able to offer the perspective of a parent.

Specialist information and advice is co-opted onto the board when needed.

Lamesley Childcare is always keen to recruit new Specialist Advisors and Directors.

Anyone interested in either of these roles should contact the Co-ordinator Nora Baldwin for details of the application process on 07862 220182.

For all enquiries please contact Lamesly Childcare via our contact page here >>

"Staff provide children with a rich, varied and imaginative range of exciting and challenging activities, based on children's interests. These activities successfully complement children's learning in school and enable them to make rapid progress."

"Children's self-esteem, sense of belonging and feelings of emotional security are effectively promoted to the highest level."

"Key persons are exceptionally skilled and sensitive. They help children to form extremely strong emotional attachments and feel very safe within the club."

"Self-evaluation arrangements are sharply focused and take account of the views of staff, parents and children. This has a significantly positive impact on staff's ability to continue to improve the provision and sustain high-quality practice."

"Staff are enthusiastic and full of fun and this is imitated by the children as they play, laugh and learn together."

"Staff are well qualified and passionate about their role."

"Staff place high priority on promoting children's physical and emotional well-being."

"Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about safety and to recognise risks."

"All staff are extremely well qualified and use their skills well, overall, to provide excellent support for children's play and learning."

"Staff provide children with a varied and stimulating environment which is extremely well resourced and presented to capture their interests."

"Children are confident and show they feel safe and secure."

"High quality care is provided and children's safety is given top priority"

"High-quality information is gathered to provide a consistent approach to children's development"

"Staff set up planned activities that motivate and promote children's curiosity"

"Behaviour is very good and children are developing life-long friendships"

"Children with special educational needs/and or disabilities are supported well"

"Staff engage with children enthusiastically, listening to children's views and opinions"