St Dominic's Pre-school 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. St Dominics Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 153554 Inspection date 20/11/2008 Inspector David Shepherd

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Setting address St Dominic's Primary School, Western Avenue,Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, RG5 3BH Telephone number 07947 015484 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).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

St Dominic's Pre-school Playgroup opened in 1986. It operates from a purpose built building which is situated in the grounds of St Dominic Savio Primary School, which is in Woodley, Berkshire. There is also an outdoor area attached to the building, which is for the exclusive use of the pre-school children. A maximum of 20 children aged between 2 years and 5 years may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, 09.00 to 11.30 and 12.45 to 15.15, term time only. There are currently 42 children on roll, all of whom are on the early years register. This includes 40 funded 3 and 4 year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports 3 children with special educational needs and 4 who speak English as an additional language. The younger children attend the morning sessions and the older children the afternoon sessions. A committee who employ 6 staff, all of whom work on a part time basis, runs the

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Description of the setting

pre-school. All staff hold a qualification, which is equivalent to NVQ3 or above. The pre-school receives support from the local authority early years workers. This provider is on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

St Dominic’s Pre-school Playgroup meets the learning development and welfare needs of children excellently. The supervisor and her staff really know the children well and spend time talking with them, challenging them and keeping them safe at all times. This ensures that they are fully engaged in, and enjoy the activities that are planned for them. The supervisor has begun to review the effectiveness of the playgroup using recent national guidance.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 including evaluative comments in the Self Evaulation Form and reduce the descriptive content  linking overall assessments to recent national guidance in the six areas of learning

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provision

The supervisor, ably supported by her deputy supervisor and staff, works hard and is successful in providing outstanding provision in the playgroup. A wide range of key policies are in place that includes behaviour, medicines, equality, food and drink, non collection of children, safeguarding and child protection. These ensure safe procedures for the efficient management of the playgroup. Good attention is paid to keeping healthy. Tables are wiped using a germ killing spray and children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wash their hands to ensure that the healthy snacks are eaten in a hygienic way. The furniture, equipment, toys and materials are suitable, safe to use and in good condition.

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provision

All staff are well qualified and all hold paediatric first aid qualifications. They are deployed effectively; each supervising small groups of children during activity times. Good use is made of the outdoor area which provides children with a variety of larger additional activities to carry out. Staff are key workers for small groups of children. They get to know them really well and ensure that any specific needs the children may have are met.

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provision

Staff work extremely effectively with parents and this helps the children to feel secure and develop well. There is a policy for parental involvement in the playgroup and parents are aware of the complaints procedure. They receive good guidance about infectious diseases and are informed of any such disease that may be evidenced in the playgroup. Written guidance is provided for them that indicates what is provided each day.

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provision

Staff review their practice regularly and continually seek to make it better. Administrative tasks, such as registration and signing out, are carried out efficiently without any fuss. Detailed records are kept on the learning development and welfare progress of the children. Staff use these to inform parents about how well their children are progressing in all areas of learning during individual consultation sessions. The use made of the accommodation available is thoughtful and appropriate for the activities being carried out. The staff are currently carrying out a detailed self-evaluation of its provision using national guidance. The present draft is too descriptive and not evaluative enough.

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provision

All of the key issues from the last inspection have been implemented.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing very good social habits and behave very well. This helps to make them good learners and prepares them very well for the next stage in their education and future lives. They show their knowledge of how to stay safe when walking around the room and they use the outside area sensibly and calmly and have due regard for each other, for the adults, equipment and materials. This helps to keep them safe, free from the risk of careless accidents and helps them to make a good, positive contribution to the smooth running of the playgroup. Good emphasis is placed on children washing their hands after going to the toilet and when having a snack. Children have free access to drinking water.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children take part eagerly in and clearly enjoy their activities. They have free choice about which activity they would like to carry out during activity times. During the inspection, activities provided included singing songs, reciting a prayer, counting the number of children and adults present, constructing models by sticking together boxes and other materials, matching colours and patterns, puzzles, jigsaws and jumping games, including on a trampoline. Feeling confident during one of the activity times, one child pointing to another child asked the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inspector, 'Are you his dad?' Good opportunities are provided for children to chat with each other and with an adult. This promotes successfully their skills in speaking and listening.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff assess the progress children make in all areas of learning. They use this information very well in that they use it for planning future activities. This helps children to learn effectively and not to have any gaps in their learning. The next step in assessment is to link judgements about progress in the transition record to the recent national guidance. 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? 1 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? 1

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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 B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met 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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