St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School

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. Acorns Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 102993 Inspection date 25/11/2008 Inspector Ron Hall

p.1

Setting address Whitstone Community Primary School, Oak Lane, Whitstone, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 6TH Telephone number 01288 341241 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the setting

Acorns playgroup was registered in June 2000. The playgroup is managed by a voluntary management committee made up of parents of children at the playgroup. The playgroup is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It operates from a classroom in the village primary school and serves the village of Whitstone and the surrounding area. It has links with the Early Years Foundation Stage provision of the primary school. A maximum of 16 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. Children from the age of three years to five years attend. The playgroup is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 15:00, during school term times. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 12 children aged from three to under five years on roll. Of these, eight children receive funding for early education. The playgroup

p.3

Description of the setting

employs two members of staff. Of these, one holds appropriate early years qualifications and one is working towards a qualification. There is good access for those with disabilities.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The provision is good overall and provides a wide and varied curriculum that meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the needs of each individual. All aspects of the Every Child Matters agenda are met. The curriculum is fully inclusive and the provision provides for those with disabilities. There is good capacity to improve.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop planning and curriculum further

p.3

provision

Leadership and management are good and the leader is well supported by an active and well informed management group. They are constantly adapting and improving the provision to meet the needs of both the children and all statutory requirements. Records are kept of children’s progress and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of their entry levels and progress made. Teaching is good and the relationships with pupils are excellent. Resources are targeted effectively and meet the needs of all age groups. Although the leadership and management have yet to complete their self-evaluation form they have a good understanding of the provision overall and what is required to improve.

p.3

provision

Leadership and management have ensured all protection safeguards and recruitment procedures are in place and all other logs/registers are well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maintained. The children’s welfare is paramount and there are good procedures in place to ensure this is maintained at all times. Partnerships with the school and other professionals is good and the provision is constantly working to improve this further.

p.3

provision

The links with parents are excellent and communication is well established. All parents are part of the management group and the parents take this seriously. This link ensures all are fully informed of all aspects of the provision and discussion with parents supported comments made by the leadership and management. Parents are kept fully informed of all aspects of their child’s learning and time in the provision. Handovers both at the start and finish of the sessions gives good feed back and reinforces more formal communication methods.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The quality and standards of the Early Years Foundation Stage provision is good overall. Teaching and learning is good. Children on entry are generally at levels expected for their age but leave slightly above average. The children’s safety is ensured throughout and at all times and good procedures are in place to ensure this. Staff teach healthy living skills and reinforce safety issues with the children. Break times consist of healthy eating option with milk or water and a choice of various fruits. Discussion with the children demonstrated that they knew this was to keep them healthy and washing their hands ensured no germs. One child stated, ‘We wash our hands to stop the germs. After we play and before we have break’.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Regular fire drills are held, usually in conjunction with the school and these are well logged. Accident records are well maintained and parents are fully aware of procedures for emergency situations. The staff have developed their understanding of child protection procedures and now fully understand all requirements.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children fully enjoy their education and were keen to enter the provision and begin the well planned activities. These are focused sessions to develop various areas of learning but staff also ensure all areas of the curriculum are fully covered. Physical activities are encouraged and developed outside and the children really enjoy running around and doing a wide range of activities.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

All activities observed encouraged language development and staff constantly interacted with the children and extended the ideas the children produced. The children interacted with each other really well and were polite and supportive throughout. Their social skills reinforce good general academic skills for their future economic well-being. The provision has good links with the school and the transition process is good. The leadership and management are fully aware of the need to enhance this link further by utilising the skills of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage to help develop their planning and curriculum further. The curriculum needs further extension with greater links to the local and wider community but again the staff are fully aware of this and are working to develop this. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parental relationships are good and those parents spoken to were fully supportive

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

of the provision and clearly knew and understood all procedures within the provision. The parents all being part of the management committee has created a greater understanding and enhanced parent/provision communication. Parents are fully aware of the complaints procedures and no complaints have been received.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Although there are only two members of staff they are well qualified for their roles and there are robust procedures in place to ensure the adequate staffing levels are maintained at all times.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

All required documentation is in place at all times and well maintained. Children’s records are detailed and planning is linked closely to these to ensure a high quality education and delivery. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8