Foulsham & Bintree Playgroup

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. Foulsham & Bintree Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY268018 Inspection date 08/12/2008 Inspector Melanie Calway

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Setting address New Frost Hall, Clay Pit Road, Foulsham, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 5RW Telephone number mob 07990 952487 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

Foulsham and Bintree Playgroup opened in 1973. It operates from one room in the New Frost Hall in the village of Foulsham. The premises are on one level. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor area.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 16 children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently 19 children on roll in the early years age group. The playgroup is open five days a week during school term times from 9.00 until 11.30. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and receives funding for nursery education.

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Description of the setting

The playgroup employs six members of staff, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. It receives support from the local authority and has close links with the local school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Foulsham and Bintree Playgroup provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Staff have a good knowledge of the children in their care and are able to meet their needs. Children with additional needs are supported particularly well and fully included in the setting. The group works closely with parents who help on a regular basis and assessment records give them detailed information about their children's development. The staff and committee work hard to identify areas for improvement using training opportunities and working with their support teacher.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the planning to show how individual children can be challenged and explore opportunities to extend and challenge them as they play  support the development of independence skills, for example, at snack time and by using pictorial labels on all resources.

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provision

Children's welfare and learning and development are promoted well because the staff and committee work hard to identify areas for improvement. Systems are in place to monitor the provision and these are currently being adapted so that they are in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The setting's self-evaluation is generally effective in identifying weaknesses. The staff team work well together and is supported by an active committee. Most staff have appropriate early years qualifications and all staff attend regular short courses to update their knowledge and skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The setting works closely with parents. The assessment records are attractively presented and contain detailed observations of children's learning and their next steps. Useful information about children's starting points and preferences is also recorded. The records are available to see at any time and key workers go through

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provision

them when parents are helping and at parents evenings. Some parents are contributing observations from home to create an active dialogue about their children's learning and development. 'Bishy bear', a teddy which goes home with the children and a notebook for comments, also provides a useful home link to encourage parents to be involved in their children's learning. The setting works very closely with parents and other agencies to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and close links exist with the local school.

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provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because there are good systems in place for the recruiting and vetting of staff and volunteers to ensure that adults working with children are suitable. Staff are very clear about their responsibilities to refer any concerns regarding children. All staff have received child protection training and the staff handbook contains useful information including handouts on signs and symptoms of abuse, the referral process and the child protection policy. The designated member of staff goes through the procedures with staff on a regular basis to ensure they all know what they should do. Children are kept safe as daily checks are carried out on the indoor and outdoor environment and regular risk assessment takes place. Finger guards are used on the door and there are good security systems in place. Children are given explanations about any changes in the routine to help them to keep themselves safe. Effective policies and procedures

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development. They are able to freely choose a suitable range of activities. Resources are organised in low level storage units so that children can access them and put them away, although the labelling of some resources does not fully support children's independence skills. Good use is made of the outdoor area. Children are able to choose when to play outside and staff are responsive to their needs, recognising when children are in need of physical or boisterous play. A covered area means that children can go outside in all weathers. Key workers know the children well and the planning is flexible to take account of children's interests and to encourage children to take part in different activities, for example, a recent theme on pirates was developed as a result of some interest in this topic and used as a way of involving boys in a different range of activities. The assessment records include detailed observations

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of children's learning and the plans for their next steps. These are discussed at weekly planning meetings to ensure that appropriate activities are planned. However, the written plans do not provide enough detail to give staff clear guidance on how to provide individual children with challenges.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children communicate confidently with staff and with each other. Staff listen to children as they talk about their own experiences, using effective questioning to encourage communication. There is plenty of print displayed in the room and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children have opportunities to draw and write. Most children listen attentively at story time and enjoy looking at books on their own or reading stories in small groups. Children's creativity is promoted well as they are able to use resources to make their own unique creations and staff support them in this. Children use their imaginations as they engage in pretend play, for example, treating patients in hospital. Staff talk to the children and join in with their play but some opportunities to extend and develop children's play are missed, for example, using mark making materials in the home corner to write appointment cards. Children use number and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the language of shape as they play and some opportunities are picked up to help children to count correctly. Children learn about the world around them as they communicate with staff and play outside, shovelling snow or catching the drips from the guttering. They use the computer confidently and are supported in learning to take turns using an egg timer as an aid. Children are forming firm friendships and learning social skills. Sign language is used to ensure that all children are included. Children are able to make choices about what they do and learn some independence skills. However, independence is not fully promoted at snack time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted well. Children are offered a healthy snack of fresh fruit or crackers and cheese and fresh drinking water is available at all times. Staff talk to children at times about healthy eating. Children have plenty of opportunities for outside play so they can be active. Children are able to wash and dry their hands independently and staff remind them about doing this, using low level, pictorial signs as a prompt. All the required documentation and effective policies and procedures are in place to ensure the health and well-being of the children. Children learn to keep themselves safe as explanations are given and children are alerted to any changes in the daily routine. Regular risk assessment is carried out to ensure that the environment is safe and that children are kept safe on outings. Children enjoy their time at the setting and form positive relationships with each other and with the staff. Behaviour is managed positively and children are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

reminded about the rules through the use of pictorial rules displayed at their level. Children are learning skills for the future as they are encouraged to play together co-operatively, share and take turns. They are learning useful skills as they develop literacy and use the computer. 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? 3 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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