Trafalgar 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. Bradwell Common Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 141875 Inspection date 21/01/2009 Inspector Dorcas Forgan

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Setting address 125 Bradwell Common Boulevard, Bradwell Common, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK13 8DY Telephone number 01908 698023 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

Bradwell Common Playgroup opened in 1984. A committee of volunteers manages the playgroup. The playgroup are on the Early Years Register. It operates from one room in the community-meeting place on Bradwell Common, Milton Keynes. A maximum of 30 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The playgroup is open each weekday from 09.15 to 11.45 during term times. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there are sessions in the afternoon from 12.30 to 15.00. Children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 39 children aged from two years to under five years on roll. Of these, 33 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local area. The playgroup currently supports children with special educational needs, and supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

The playgroup employs six staff. All but one member of staff hold level two qualifications.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The group have good systems in place to promote the children’s health and safety; the children are well settled and very happy in the provision. They are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Staff treat the children with genuine care and supports them well. This includes forming partnerships with other agencies to ensure that children’s welfare and learning needs are met. The group have a realistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and are willing to ask advice and make changes.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the role of the key person so that special bonds are made with individual children and to ensure that the individual needs of all children are met  make assessments of the children and use these along with the observations to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  develop further the partnership with parents to underpin the successful delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage ensuring that information is exchanged  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure the manager has a level 3 qualification 29/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Suitable People)

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provision

The manager of the group does not have a level three qualification but there is an action plan to ensure this requirement is met. At least half of the remainder of the staff have suitable qualifications, they work well as a team, understand their duties and responsibilities and they are flexible. Staff are assigned key children although this role has not been extended to include all the children’s needs. The staff and committee have not carried out an evaluation of the provision but they have identified areas that need to be improved. They have made some changes. Following the previous inspection, staff have improved the safety for the children, although recently the evacuation procedure has not been practised. They make sure that all children are involved in the activities and can express themselves creatively. Staff have changed the way they plan activities for the children, this is being changed again in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. They do not

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provision

use the assessments and observations to plan the children's future progress. The committee employ and manage the staff. They are presently reviewing the policies and procedures to ensure that they are relevant and up to date. Staff invite parents to help in the group and encourage them to discuss their child’s progress; they are not sufficiently involved in promoting the children’s learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff are deployed very effectively to stimulate the children in their learning, they encourage the children to take part in an interesting range of activities. Staff are becoming familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The children can see clearly the activities available to them and make informed choices. Children are gaining confidence in discussing what they are doing. Adults listen attentively. There is a very wide range of suitable and well maintained resources that children use to express their creativity. The children use the garden area throughout the year with great enthusiasm. They observe nature, noting when the bulbs that they planted are beginning to sprout. They instigate activities such as clearing up the leaves and use their imaginations and physical skills to build constructions with the wooden blocks and planks. Children discover, with wonder, how to make a fulcrum when they stand on one end of a plank that they balance on another piece of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are gaining independence in their own care and hygiene routines. They learn to dress themselves, especially in outdoor clothing. They follow very good routines when going to the toilet and washing their hands. Staff arrange snack time so that children can make optimum choices and practise their physical skills very effectively. Children choose what they would like to eat and drink from very healthy attractive options. Staff have a very clear understanding of how to safe guard children and maintain the security of the building. They follow a clear routine so that all children know what is going to happen; they use prompts such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as music and photo cards. All children are included effectively; a designated member of staff who has attended additional training supports children with difficulties. Staff support children with English as an additional language by using

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

words from their home language whenever possible. 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? 3

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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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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