Ysgol Porth y Felin

Rillington Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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400252 Unique Reference Number 19 March 2008 Inspection date Christine Tipple Inspector

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Scarborough Road, Rillington, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8LH Setting Address

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Telephone number

heather.pattison@tesco.net E-mail Rillington Pre-School Playgroup Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional care Type of care

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Telephone number

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?

Rillington Pre-School Playgroup opened in 1973. It is situated in the village of Rillington near to the town of Malton. It operates from two rooms in the village hall. Children attend from the village and the outlying areas. There is an enclosed outside play area provided.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The playgroup is registered for 21 children aged from two to five-years-old. There are 31 children currently on roll of whom 11 are in receipt of nursery education funding. The group opens Monday to Friday term time from 09.00 to 12.00.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are four staff and two relief staff who work with the children. Three have relevant early years qualifications and three are attending training to achieve a qualification. The playgroup is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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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. The routines and procedures in place for health and hygiene are managed effectively by staff with the children. They are supported to be independent in their personal care and are confident in the reasons why they wash their hands particularly before they have snack. There are clear details provided for parents on the care and exclusion periods needed when children are ill and a notice for parents is displayed on any outbreak of an infection at playgroup. This promotes a positive approach by the staff to minimise cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children aim to go out on a daily basis during the session which they enjoy. This ensures they have fresh air and a good level of exercise. Children have peddle bikes and scooters and the space enables the children to move around freely and develop their skills on manoeuvring themselves around obstacles, such as the bollards. The children are able to balance use stilts and throw and catch bean bags. Children access role play and creative opportunities outside as staff are developing and extending the range of learning experiences offered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Snacks are provided on a daily basis for the children. This is managed as a café style approach which enables the children to serve themselves and decide when they are ready for their snack. There is a variety of healthy choices offered through the week and this consists of a selection of fruit, crackers and cheese, and dried fruits. Staff are fully aware of the importance of promoting healthy eating with the children which is extended through information and activities. Drinks are provided and the children can choose from either milk or water which is offered throughout the session. All dietary needs are recorded and monitored by staff.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Staff provide a welcoming environment for the children and parents. The space and facilities in place are clean and provide good access to all areas of the provision. There is a varied selection of quality resources and child sized equipment in place which have been extended recently. These offer the children a good range and choices which cover all areas of the curriculum to support children's ongoing learning and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety of the children is managed positively by the staff. There are detailed safety procedures in place and risk assessments which include outings and additional activities carried out with the children. Children take part in the evacuation procedure and this is recorded. Children have visits from the road safety officer and occasionally they go out into the village where this can be put into practice. Children help to tidy up during the session and staff discuss how to use tools and equipment safely, such as the climbing frame.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and welfare is managed well by the staff. They have attended training and reviewed the safeguarding children policy and procedures to ensure these remain up to date. All contact details for the support agencies are recorded.

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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 come into playgroup eager and happy to access the activities provided. The younger children are settled due to the emphasis placed on their personal, social and emotional needs. This is due to the staff's approach in providing a caring and secure environment where positive relationships are nurtured. Children show an interest in the range of activities provided which develops their confidence and independence. Children can self-select from the various resources in place. However, the planning and observations by the staff with the younger children does not yet clearly link to the 'Birth to three matters' framework as staff continue to develop their knowledge. All the children are allocated a key worker which provides a level of continuity for the children and parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. The staff's knowledge of the Foundation Stage and the early learning goals is sound and provides a broad curriculum for the children which enables them to progress. Children play well together and on their own. Staff interact and work positively with the children both in one to one and group situations. The staff know the children well and they plan a variety of positive learning activities for them. Staff are working towards the children having continuous play through the session and to extend their ongoing interests. The children's key worker regularly observes the children and records these in the children's individual file. This provides a detailed assessment of the children in the six areas of learning and provides good information on children's next steps for them to progress. However, this is not fully identified in future planning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to mark-make with a range of tools and resources, such as chalking on the board, water painting and writing for a purpose in making lists in the role play area. On arrival and at snack time, the children recognise and collect their names to self-register. Children happily talk to each other and adults. There is appropriate questioning by staff which enables the children to respond in their own way in explaining what they are doing or to describe their picture or construction. Children have a home book lending service which is well used. However, the book area in playgroup is not sufficiently developed in the selection and choices of books available, which promotes the children's ongoing interest during the session.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The use of numbers are part of the daily activities with the children who are confident in counting and this is further promoted through songs and games. Children problem solve in their every day play, such as using money in the till and counting the number of chairs needed. Some children are confident in recognising the correct numeral to represent a number of objects, such as the cakes in the tin. They enjoy water play and this is developed using cylinders and pipes to see water flow and to fill various sized containers. Children have shapes all around them and are confident in their descriptions of them. The children have opportunities to see animals often in their natural habitat, such as the lambs on the farm. They grow plants and seeds which enables the children to see them grow and know what is required to look after them. They have carried out simple experiments in watching ice melt and to discuss why this

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

happens which link to the children understanding changes and sequences. Children have a range of materials which enable them to build and construct and use a variety of suitable tools. The computer area is well accessed by most of the children who show a good level of skill in its use, and the range of relevant games support the children's use of numbers, letters and problem solving.

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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 children enjoy the role play areas which enable them to express themselves and to act out their experiences. Music and use of instruments add to the children's creative skills as well as their enjoyment in singing songs and rhymes. There is a selection of resources which support the children in their creative ideas, such as mixing paints and choosing collage materials. The children's work is displayed as well as photos of them both individually or in a group involved in other activities inside and outside.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is managed effectively by the staff who are sensitive to children's individual needs. Children are well supported in managing the routines and expectations in place. Staff work together to provide a consistent approach with the children and to be positive role models for them in being caring and kind and to use their manners. The younger children are developing their skills to share and take turns, older children are more confident in this. There is a good amount of positive praise and encouragement provided which effectively enhances the children's confidence and self-esteem. Stickers are used to reward good behaviour which all the children are proud to receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are valued and supported by the staff who know the children and their families well. The children have some links with their community through visits to the local farm and school. Visitors are made welcome and this continues to be extended to include parents in sharing their skills with the children. Children have access to a positive selection of resources and related activities which promote diversity and the wider world. Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Parents have a good range of information provided, such as the parents prospectus. The notice board has a lovely selection of photographs of the children at their play and descriptions of the purpose and learning taking place. Regular newsletters are also issued to keep parents informed of future activities or other relevant information. The key worker system provides a consistent contact for the parents to discuss their children's day and ask questions. Children's progress files are available at each session and parents enjoy looking at these and are able to make comments and discuss with the key worker. The playgroup is managed by a voluntary committee which parents are the main members and can be on the parents rota.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care and learning is supported with an organised approach by the staff. Children's safety and welfare is well promoted by staff and the management committee who are motivated to the ongoing development of the playgroup. The key worker approach continues to be extended for all staff and works effectively in providing parents with detailed information in relation to their children's progress. The use of the space and organisation of the provision overall is good. However, the ongoing play and learning opportunities for the children in providing continuous access both inside and outside is not yet sufficiently developed. The playgroup have a sound and informed range of policies and procedures in place which as with other documentation and records are reviewed to ensure they remain current and relevant to the playgroup. Information in relation to the recruitment and selection of staff is detailed and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 reflects each staff post. Detailed and relevant checks are carried out and this promotes a positive approach in ensuring staff's suitability.

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Organisation

Leadership and management is good. The management committee and staff work very well together and share a common theme to ensure the playgroup runs smoothly and continues to develop the quality of play and learning provided for the children. The staff are well supported to attend ongoing training, such as extending qualifications as well as updating their knowledge in relation to child protection, health and hygiene, and first aid which are documented in a detailed training plan. The committee and staff are currently developing staff appraisals and supervision to provide a more formal approach. Team and committee meetings are held on a regular basis and are recorded. There is a clear approach to the evaluation and monitoring of the care and learning in place which provides a detailed view of the playgroups strengths and areas to improve and extend.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care report recommended that the playgroup record fire drills and ensure all children participate and the staff to develop their skills and knowledge in relation to the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The playgroup staff have attended training in the 'Birth to three matters' framework but this is still an area which is not fully implemented by staff. All the children with staff participate in the fire drill and evacuation procedure which is recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last nursery education report recommended the playgroup: extend the opportunities for the three-year-olds to mark-make and to start and recognise letters; the staff to develop opportunities for children to solve simple mathematical problems through their everyday activities; to develop the resources in children's outside play which promote children's gross motor skills more effectively and staff to provide clear links on children's assessments to their progress and how this informs next steps for future planning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The playgroup have tools and resources which enable the three-year-olds to mark-make in a variety of areas set out for them. Children self-register both on arrival and at snack time which supports them in recognising letters in their names and in other children's. The children have good opportunities to problem solve, they use the role play and songs and activities which support them in making decisions that support their mathematical development. Staff have developed the equipment for the children which promotes their larger muscle skills, they can climb and run about and practice their spatial awareness and manoeuvring around obstacles. Staff have improved their recording of children's progress through observations and assessments which are well presented and recorded in children's individual files.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • develop staff's knowledge and skills in relation to the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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): • continue to review the ongoing planning to ensure individual children's next steps are clearly identified • review the organisation and planning of the session to provide ongoing opportunities for the children to have continuous access to activities and resources including outside provision (this also applies to care) • develop the book area for the children to provide more access and selection which promotes the children's ongoing interest.

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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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