Bilbrook Playgroup

Bilbrook Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

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Bilbrook Playgroup

Unique Reference Number 218097 Inspection date 22 May 2006 Inspector Rosemary Linda Tomkins

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Bilbrook Playgroup

Setting Address Village Hall, Joeys Lane, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1JL Telephone number 01902 844977

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E-mail

Registered person Bilbrook Playgroup Committee Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Sessional care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Bilbrook Playgroup opened in 1993 and operates from two rooms within Bilbrook village hall in Bilbrook, Codsall, South Staffordshire. A maximum of 26 children may attend the group at any one time. The group is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 09.15 to 12.15 during school term times. All children share access to secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 50 children aged from two to four years on roll. Of these, thirteen

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 children receive funding for early education. Children come from the local and surrounding area. The playgroup currently supports a number of children with learning difficulties and also supports children who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup employs seven staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications and one is working towards a Level 3 qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene through planned routines. They know for example, that they have to wash their hands before snack and after using the toilet. Staff follow effective procedures such as, routinely wiping tables and checking cleanliness in the toilets. This sustains good levels of hygiene and helps reduce the risk of cross-contamination. There are procedures for sick and infectious children which are used to help prevent the spread of infection and discussed with parents. Children benefit from a healthy snacks, they have a variety of fresh fruit cut into pieces for small hands to manage and drinks of water. Children enjoy their snack time as they sit together to discuss names and colours of fruit with staff. However, children are not able to help themselves to drinks of water throughout the session as the water jugs are not positioned at a low-level. This means that children cannot

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Helping children to be healthy

choose to meet their individual needs. All dietary and health requirements are discussed and recorded on children's individual record forms. This helps to ensure children remain healthy. All children enjoy playing outside during the session. They join in free play and organised activities such as, using the large climbing equipment in the adjoining playground and walks in the fields surrounding the hall. In addition, the hall provides clear space to use bikes, tunnels and tents. This means that children have a positive attitude to exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very well-organised environment where risks to children are limited through good safety and security procedures. Staff restrict access to the playgroup at all times with monitored locked doors. Staff ensure the outside play areas are fully secure and protected by fencing and a boundary tape. The joint managers ensure there are sufficient staff for walks to help children stay safe and there are clear written procedures in place. Risk assessments are completed regularly together with daily safety checks for inside and outside. However, the emergency evacuation plan record is not up-to-date or in line with the procedure. There is not a system to ensure that all children have practiced an evacuation. This

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 compromises the safety of children in an emergency. Children use a range of safe good quality developmentally appropriate resources. These are well maintained and presented by staff to enable children to choose from the varied range stored at low-level. Staff consistently explain safe practices such as, forming a line to go to the toilets and not running inside. Children are protected by staff who have a good understanding of child protection issues and follow the correct procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are secure in the playgroup's welcoming and caring environment. They have positive relationships with staff. The group makes effective use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure positive outcomes for children under three years. Children play happily together using resources such as, shape sorters, books, home corner and musical toys all suitable to their age and stage of development. All children enjoy exploration with paint, water and sand which helps children represent their feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. Younger children are eager to join in with staff and older children as they use actions and gestures when singing. The children's language and communication skills are promoted well by staff through constant conversation, questions and individual attention. For example, staff sit with children and encourage them to talk about pictures in the books they have chosen.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Consequently children are developing their communication skills and are able to express their needs. There is a very good range of resources to promote imaginative play in the home corner, which is currently being used as a Café where children can choose to play individually or in groups. Great enjoyment comes from dressing-up and role play in the home corner and acting out activities such as, cooking and rolling cars across the floor to each other. As a result children's social skills are developing well. Staff use observations and assessments for all children which help them plan for the next steps for play and learning and show how each child is developing new skills. Therefore children under three are extending their learning to reach their full potential. Staff plan activities and adjust to remain flexible and allow for naturally occurring events for example, fine weather to take children for a walk. However,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

younger children and those who have recently started at the group do not always benefit from large group book-time activities. At times, these children are not always engaged as they are not at the stage of development to remain interested in a large group. This means that children are not always developing at their own pace or having their individual development needs met at all times. But staff are aware of the changing needs of different age groups and currently adjusting the grouping of children to meet their needs. Nursery Education

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The quality of teaching and learning is good. The well--rganised staff team have developed their knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage well to plan and provide a varied range of activities under each area of learning. The learning intention is recorded and relates to the stepping stones so that all aspects are covered. Staff have developed the practice of evaluating their teaching methods and impact of planned activities on the children and record individual children's progress. Staff generally use effective methods to maintain children's interest such as, spending the majority of their time working directly with the children and asking understandable questions. This means that children are appropriately challenged and engaged. Organisation of group time is flexible and encourages children's learning to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

help children concentrate because staff stimulate interest. Children are clear about the purpose of adult-led planned activities and frequently join in with their own ideas and home experiences. Development is good, particularly in the areas of communication, language and literacy, knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development. Behaviour is well-managed by innovative methods such as, asking the children to pretend to be asleep before snack time to slow proceedings down. This results in a calm and caring environment for children. However, some resources such as, programmable toys and cash registers are incomplete and do not allow children to fully enjoy their activity. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they greet each other and staff on arrival. Children are interested and engaged in their free play as they select and carry out activities and assume responsibility for some of their personal care. However,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children are not encouraged to pour drinks, help lay the snack table or serve their own snacks. This means that children are not further developing their ability to initiate and manage tasks or develop personal independence. Children are friendly, show care and concern for others and respond positively to staff's high expectations of levels of behaviour. Children speak clearly and are developing their confidence to speak when in a large group. They listen intently to stories and independently select books for pleasure. Children are learning to use facial expressions and gestures to communicate their likes and dislikes. They recognise their own names and are able to sound letters in words. Children demonstrate that they know how to form letters, they practice letter tracing and make marks on the menu sheets in the Café role play area. Children develop an initial sense of time and place through posters and a display of a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

map of the world. They gain knowledge of their environment as they are taken on regular walks in the fields surrounding the hall. The children have a strong sense of community as they take part in the village carnival on a float dressed as little red devils. Children are introduced to other cultures and customs as they celebrate Divali, Chinese New Year and Easter with art activities, dressing-up, food tasting and stories. They are fully developing their knowledge of the natural world as they have regular opportunities to investigate growing things in the extensive outside area and use natural materials. Children are beginning to understand and use numbers. They count meaningfully up to five and are developing problem solving skills, when deciding 'how many more' when singing 'Five Bananas in a Bunch' and counting children and staff. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 demonstrate that they understand shape, quantity and size as they compare shapes of everyday objects and sorting games. This means that children use number names and number language spontaneously. Staff ensure children are fully extending their understanding of practical counting during everyday routines and a newly designed mathematical learning area. Frequent use of the outdoor areas help children develop their physical skills, children use large apparatus and one-handed tools competently. They climb on the activity frame, use wheeled toys and outside activity equipment with confidence and enjoyment. Children use paintbrushes, spatulas, scissors and cutters with increasing confidence and control. Children are able to express themselves through play dough, exploring different

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

textures and name colours competently. They use their imagination and a range of rhythmic movements as they take part in singing and rhyme sessions. Inside, during free play, the clear space is used very well by the children who enjoy making up their own imaginative games, such as dressing-up in various hats, holding hands and 'going for a walk'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy positive relationships with the staff and each other. They are valued and respected as individuals and their confidence and self-esteem is developed well by staff with use of praise and encouragement on arrival and during their play throughout the session. Staff ensure that resources positively represent the children who attend as well as individuals from the wider community. Children visit the surrounding areas and take an active part in community events to increase their knowledge of the world around them. This helps raise children's awareness of diversity in their community and develop a positive attitude to others. Children behave well, they take turns, share, help each other and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. The access to the group is good and on ground floor level. Children with learning

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Helping children make a positive contribution

difficulties are fully included and supported because senior staff have formulated a system to offer appropriate support and ensure the policies and procedures promote inclusion for all children. Currently, there are no children with specific language requirements attending. All children benefit from the positive partnership staff have developed with parents. This means that children settle well because staff work closely with parents to ensure their child's needs are met. The individual routines and preferences are fully recorded which means that staff are aware of all the children's needs. Parents are made aware of how the setting operates through the 'All About Bilbrook Playgroup' booklet. They are informed of topics and operational changes verbally, from the parents' notice board and regular newsletters. Children's health and dietary needs are discussed and recorded. Exchange of verbal information on a daily basis

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 keeps parents informed of their child's well-being. Progress records are accessible to parents at all times and when a child leaves the playgroup parents are presented with 'My Special Book from Bilbrook Playgroup' which summarises children's progress and achievements throughout their time at the group. Partnership with parents and carers of children who receive nursery education is good. They receive detailed information on the educational programme, are actively involved in providing resources for their children and have open access to regular written development reports. In addition, parents are provided with progress comments on each piece of work their child takes home and invited to join in with social occasions, for example sports day and concerts. This helps parents to feel

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Leadership and management is good. There are robust recruitment procedures which ensure staff are appropriately qualified and vetted. The manager ensures there are the required level of qualified staff working with all children. Staff are sufficiently experienced and knowledgeable to ensure children's individual needs are mostly met. Children in the pre-school room in receipt of funding for nursery education are achieving and progressing because the teaching methods are effective. Children's records and staff details are stored securely and available for inspection. Staff attend training on a rolling programme and are keen to increase their understanding of children's development and knowledge of appropriate activities. Staff are supported by a visiting advisory teacher who provides positive examples of good practice to increase their knowledge and understanding of how children learn.

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Organisation

Good induction training and appropriate policies and procedures work in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. There are clear systems in place for recording accidents, medication and attendance. Most documentation is maintained to a good standard. The policies and procedures are continually undergoing review and update to reflect the progressive improvement of the operational practice. Overall the playgroup meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the provider was asked to record the times of arrival and departure of children and to display the registration certificate. The provider has a separate book to record all late arrivals and early departures of children and staff to the group. This clearly shows when children attend and who looked after them. The registration certificate is displayed on the notice board in the entrance corridor which enables parents to know the registration details of the group. At the last nursery education inspection the provider was asked to improve the staff

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 team knowledge of the foundation stage and stepping stones, develop planning to cover the six areas of learning, improve some aspects of learning opportunities for children and to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery education. The staff team have undertaken training in the foundation stage and now have a good understanding of how children learn and provide opportunities and activities that fully cover the six areas of learning. The children are progressing and achieving in line with the stepping stones. The provider ensures that there are regular meetings to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery education. The children's progress is recorded and shows children's attitude to learning and next steps for development. The records are available to parents at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure fresh drinking water is available to children at all times • ensure the emergency evacuation plan is practised with all children and recorded in the register in accordance with the policy.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • review and evaluate opportunities for children to develop their personal independence during everyday routines

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • ensure resources are complete and in working order to enable children to develop and progress.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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