Colchester County High School for Girls

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. St John's Church Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 115370 Inspection date 22/01/2009 Inspector Sarah Morfett

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Setting address St. Johns Church, Danson Lane, Welling, Kent, DA16 2BQ

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Telephone number 07719341984 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

St John's Church Playgroup is a voluntary organisation. The provider is St John's Church and the manager is responsible to the Parochial Church Council and has day-to-day responsibility for the playgroup. The playgroup opened in 1972 and operates from St John's Church Hall, Welling. The playgroup has use of the main hall and a second smaller adjoining room. All accommodation is on the ground floor and easily accessible. There is a fully enclosed outside play area.

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Description of the setting

The playgroup is registered on the Early Years Register, is well established in the community and serves families from the surrounding residential area. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30 to 12.00 and Monday afternoons from 13.00 to 15.30, term time only.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 42 children in the early years age group on the roll; 28 of whom are funded. The playgroup provides support for children for whom English is an additional language and children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Description of the setting

The staff team comprises of a manager and deputy both of whom hold a recognised childcare qualification. There are six members of staff who hold a childcare qualification and one is working towards a level 2. The playgroup also has voluntary assistants, who attend on a regular basis.

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Description of the setting

The setting receives support from the Bexley Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in this inclusive environment. Their needs are routinely met because staff have a good knowledge of each child's individual requirements and therefore recognise their uniqueness. They plan and provide a varied range of experiences which promote children's learning and development well and work closely with parents and other agencies to ensure that good quality care and education is developed. Effective systems are in place to evaluate the service they provide. The staff team are positive in their approach to continuous improvement, working together to identify areas for development and setting themselves realistic targets.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further develop the use of ongoing observational assessment to inform planning for each child’s continuing development and show how they are moving forward

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure the record of attendance is fully secure and shows children's times of arrival and departure. (Documentation) 10/02/2009

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provision

The setting is led and managed well. They receive support from the Parochial Church Council who work with the manager to implement a robust recruitment and vetting procedure to ensure that staff are suitable to work with the children. Policies and procedures are effective and inclusive for those children who attend. They provide parents with information about the setting and the group's aims for the children. All required paperwork is in place and maintained to a good standard. However, the record of attendance, which is marked as children arrive each morning, does not clearly show arrival and departures times; therefore, this poses a potential risk to children's safety. Parents are included in the self-evaluation procedure and fill in questionnaires devised by the group. Any negative comments are investigated and discussed with parents which demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and developing a good partnership with parents.

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provision

Good procedures are in place to safeguard children. For example, a thorough risk assessment is carried out each day to ensure the environment is safe and secure and this is appropriately recorded. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the group's child protection policy which is based on the Local Safeguarding Children Procedures. This is backed up with regular training to ensure all staff are up-to- date with current requirements. The managers strive for improvement well; they have addressed recommendations from the last inspection to develop their good practice and have made changes to the routine to enhance experiences for children. Staff work closely together to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage well, consequently, outcomes for children are promoted effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children arrive eagerly at the playgroup and are greeted warmly by the staff. They settle well and quickly become engaged in a varied range of activities planned within the six areas of learning. Children enjoy exploring the environment; moving freely between inside and out, making choices about what they play with. They particularly enjoy imaginative play where they act out their own real life experiences. For example, they spend time role playing in a shoe shop remembering the story 'The elves and the shoemaker' they had been read the day before. Staff use a good range of teaching methods to support their learning and development. For instance, they sit and interact whilst the children play, asking meaningful questions to make them think and therefore, extend their learning experiences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The systems for observation, assessment and planning are currently being reviewed to ensure they are fully meeting the learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 requirements. They clearly promote all the areas of learning. However, they do not as yet identify next steps in children's learning, although staff can clearly explain their aims for the progression of the children. All staff share their knowledge of the children to ensure plans include activities based on the children's interests. The staff make regular observations to build a pattern of the progress children are making. Children are engaged and focused therefore learning through play-based activity.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good steps are taken to ensure that risk of cross-infection is minimised. Staff wipe surfaces with antibacterial sprays and maintain hygiene well throughout the session. Children benefit from secure procedures which are implemented in the event of an accident or when they need to take medication. An effective range of written permissions obtained from parents ensures their individual needs are met. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle as they can play both inside and out through the session. They are provided with a good variety of fruit as a healthy snack and drink either milk or water.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The staff promote children's understanding of their own safety through regular reinforcement of the rules. They implement thorough procedures for outings which are backed up by clear written procedures for lost or uncollected children. They take part in regular fire drills each term. Therefore, they learn to keep themselves safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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