Edenthorpe Hall Primary Academy

Pawlett Village Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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142933 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Barton Inspector

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The Methodist Church, Chapel Road, Pawlett, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4SH

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Setting Address

07867 727369 Telephone number rlgatherco@aol.com E-mail Pawlett Village Playgroup Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional care Type of care

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Setting Address

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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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?

Pawlett Village Playgroup opened in 1992. It is a committee run group and operates from the Pawlett Methodist Chapel Hall in Pawlett, Somerset. They have use of the main hall, storage room, toilets and kitchen facilities. There is also a safe, enclosed outdoor area available for use.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The group opens five mornings a week during term time only. Sessions are from 09:15 until 12:15 with a lunch club on Monday and Friday from 12:15 until 13:00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently 22 children on roll and of these 16 are in receipt of funding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Four part time members staff work with the children, of these, three staff have early years qualifications to NVQ Level 3. The setting receives support from the Local Authority.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a healthy environment, each session there are indoor and outdoor activities to help children develop control of their bodies. Children are able to access a wide range of resources, such as balancing equipment, wheeled toys and construction which promotes their physical development. Children have access to an adjoining outdoor area and therefore benefit from regular fresh air which contributes to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks. They learn about healthy foods in discussion and planned activities. Children are able to access drinking water throughout the session and staff regularly remind children to have a drink especially after outdoor physical play. Staff are aware of all children's dietary requirements which effectively meets their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in a clean environment where floors and tables are regularly cleaned throughout the session with antibacterial cleaner. Children understand why they wash their hands before handling food, after messy play and visits to the toilet. Children are able to access antibacterial liquid soap and disposable towels to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Accurate records are maintained of all accidents and medication administered, thereby ensuring children are well cared for. Staff have parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, which is in the best interest of the child. Appropriate policies on illness and sickness are shared with parents to ensure positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe, bright and cheerful setting. Children's safety is promoted through good risk assessments which minimise accidents, such as completing daily checks on the environment, due to sharing premises with other users. The premises provide adequate space and there is suitable equipment and furniture for all ages of children cared for which is well maintained. Children are able to move safely and freely indoors and outdoors to participate in activities to support their development. Children access a safe adjacent outdoor area which is securely enclosed and has a safety surface. There is a good range of toys, resources and equipment and they are organised effectively so children can easily access them and make their own choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted by good door security and registration systems. There are good procedures for outings to keep children safe. Children's safety against the risk of fire is promoted by staff's clear understanding of evacuation and the participation in regular fire drills, which are comprehensively logged. All fire appliances are appropriately located and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have a good understanding of child protection procedures through regular training and have up to date information for advice which helps to protect children from harm.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in the playgroup, they arrive happy and eager to participate. All children are achieving well because staff are committed and interested in what children do and say and respond well to their needs. Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage and the framework for Birth to three matters. Children benefit from a good range of interesting and challenging activities, however, planned activities are sometimes too teacher directed which stifles children's own development especially in creative play. Children enjoy making jungle masks in their collage activities and use exciting resources, such as polystyrene, small wooden sticks, wool and feathers. Children's fine motor skills are developing well as they competently use knives and cutters in play dough activities and preparing snacks. Children are engrossed in role play using drills and spanners to make their models on the work bench.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning for funded children is good. Children are making good progress across the six areas of learning. Plans identify aims and objectives related to the stepping stones. Children have regular observations and assessment records show children's progress along the stepping stones. Good records show children's next steps and individual learning needs are carried forward to future planning. Staff use good interaction skills, they play, talk and continually ask questions which effectively supports and extends children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are growing in confidence and independence which is encouraged in every day routines, such as tidy up time, snack time and circle time. Children are able to pour their own drinks and talk in groups about what they have been doing. Children's listening and speaking skills are developing well. Children are excited and enthusiastic as they listen to stories and join in with action rhymes, such as 'Rumble in the Jungle' and the 'Five little Monkeys'. Children have many opportunities during daily routines to become familiar with and recognise letters and their names. Children are encouraged to write their names on their work and are learning the name and sounds of letters in planned activities. Children participate in many activities, such as register time to learn about the concept of number and counting. Children are able to solve simple practical problems, such as how many cups and plates are needed at snack time. Children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

knowledge and understanding of the world is developing well through planned topics, such as the jungle and through participating in fundraising events. Children have regular access to a computer and electronic toys to appropriately support their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy their many craft activities, dressing up and varied role play to develop their imagination. Children learn balancing and coordination skills through activities using bean bags, eggs and spoons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. All children are welcome into the setting and receive good support and care from staff who liaise closely with parents and carers to ensure children's development and progress is suitably enhanced. Children are able to access resources and participate in planned activities to reflect positive images of diversity. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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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 Children's behaviour is good, they are developing an awareness of what is expected of them. Small posters are displayed around the playroom reminding children of the simple rules, such as walking indoors and sharing toys. Children's good behaviour is promoted by staff's praise and encouragement and an effective sticker system supports children's behaviour. Children benefit from staff who are calm and polite when requesting them to complete tasks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Comprehensive written information, such as a welcome pack which includes the policies and procedures keeps parents well informed about the setting. However, the information pack does not contain information about the Foundation Stage. A notice board and daily verbal communication keeps parents up to date on forthcoming events. Staff complete daily a 'home playgroup link' book which keeps parents well informed on children's activities and progress. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning through the reading book scheme and the letter and sound system which extends children's learning in the home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in the well organised setting. Children's work and posters are displayed to provide a warm, cheerful and welcoming environment. Staff ensure furniture, equipment and toys are arranged to cater for the needs of all children and offer easy accessibility to a choice of resources. Indoor and outdoor space is used effectively to meet the needs of children. Staff are well deployed and children are supported by regular positive interaction.

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Organisation

The leadership and management of the playgroup is good. There is a strong relationship between staff and committee and they are very motivated and committed. They have effective systems in place to monitor the provision with ongoing evaluations of activities, meetings and regular observations on children. Staff have appraisals and written feedback is obtained from parents to ensure they identify areas for improvement. The committee are very supportive of staff's training needs

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Organisation

Children's welfare, care and learning is very well supported through comprehensive and effective documentation, excellent operational plan and highly effective partnership with parents. The good quality of care and nursery education supports the requirements to meet children's individual needs. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the provision conduct risk assessments on the premises; develop an operational plan; ensure drinking water is readily available and ensure a least one member of staff has a current first aid certificate. The provision has now implemented a thorough daily premises risk assessment tick list and this is completed daily and signed to promote children's safety. A highly effective and comprehensive operational plan has been developed and supports the welfare, care and learning of all children. Drinking water is provided in water bottles and is available throughout the session so children can meet their own individual needs. An ongoing first aid training rota is in place to ensure all staff have a valid certificate and are able to support children's health through their up to date skills.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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): • provide information for parents on the Foundation Stage in the welcome pack.

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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): • ensure a good balance of child initiation and teacher direction in planned activities.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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