Armfield 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. Armfield Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY288707 Inspection date 01/06/2009 Inspector Carolyn Mary Hasler

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Setting address U.R. Church Hall, Armfield Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 0DL Telephone number 0208 364 6079 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 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

Armfield Playgroup re-applied for a new registration during 2004. It operates from church premises. The provision has access to two halls and two sets of toilets, kitchen and garden. This Playgroup is situated in a quiet residential area in Enfield a suburb of London.

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Description of the setting

The group is registered to care for no more than 26 children in the early years age group at any one time. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 09:30 until 12:00 term time only. The provision is on one level making it easily accessible to the general public. There are currently 39 children on roll, the setting also supports a number of children with learning difficulties and a number of bilingual children.

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Description of the setting

There are six staff and two long term volunteers, in addition the setting supports students all of which work with children. Five members of staff have early years qualifications. All members of staff have opportunities to attend training programmes.

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Description of the setting

The setting is registered to care for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness of this setting is good. There is a commitment by all staff to understand the needs of each individual child and to work in partnership with parents and other early years partners which promotes good outcomes for children and indeed children are very happy in this environment. There is a positive approach to accessing training and towards personal development for all staff and strong leadership supports a capacity to continue a journey of improvement and develop a future vision for this setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure during hot weather children have easy access to drinking water  ensure systems to record accidents are robust and shared with parents  continue to develop planning to ensure it covers the six areas of learning and supports each child's individual needs  ensure a system to verify the identity of visitors, record their names, the purpose of the visit and details of arrival and departure

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provision

The setting is managed and organised well. The staff team are firmly established and deployed well to support each other throughout the play sessions. There is a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good level of access to training and the team are enthusiastic and motivated, there is a high level of commitment to offering good quality childcare. Documentation is generally in place. However, some are incomplete or inconsistently used. For example, visitors are not always asked to sign in or out and accident records are not completed in detail. The evaluation of the service is on going and incorporates the views of the whole staff team. The provider has addressed weaknesses highlighted at the last inspection and also has made improvements to the delivery of her service. For example, the team are now more experimental and flexible within their planning and relationships between the setting, parents and other

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provision

There is good understanding of the early learning goals. The staff team establish starting points and observe children in a variety of different situations. Photographic evidence supports observations and the staff are making clear links to what children can do and their next steps. There is good evidence of planned purposeful play both free and adult led, indoors and out to support children's all round development.

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provision

There are strong relationships between the setting and parents. The setting respects parents' knowledge of their children and they actively encourage parents to participate in children's learning. For example, by visiting the setting to show children special skills and supporting learning at home through project work and through the book bag. There are very good procedures in place to keep parents informed, parents receive a synopsis of policies and procedures within the prospectus, they have access to the completed copies at the setting. They receive information on the different areas of learning. Notice boards, news letters, coffee mornings and other special events support the setting's positive relationship with others.

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provision

The setting ensures that training in child protection is taken up by several staff to support their service and in general the level of knowledge is good. The premises are secure and arrival and departure times are closely monitored to ensure that children are handed over safely. Policies and procedures support the welfare of children and enable staff to take action where necessary to safeguard them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good use of their time at the setting, they play happily and show self confidence and security. They make good progress towards the early learning goals because staff support their development well. Their relationships are strong, they make early links with their key person who supports their care during difficult transitional periods. Friendships are carefully nurtured and encouraged and children are learning to be kind and thoughtful of others. Their contribution to ground rules and the reinforcement of these, help them to manage their own behaviour well. Positive relationships with the key person, parents and other children supports their developing social and communication skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's language skills are successfully promoted. New vocabulary is introduced into their play by staff who make suggestions, offer new words and engage them This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in conversation. Imaginative play offers children opportunities to experiment with language. Large group activities such as story time has developed to include different ways of story telling and incorporates different learning styles engaging all. They are learning that words can be written down and are displayed all around them and some children are beginning to form the key letters of their own names. A selection of challenging sorting and matching games and construction equipment helps them to problem solve. They use numbers in all sorts of every day situations such as counting snails in the garden to children waiting in line. Concepts such as long and short, big and small are introduced into their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They are learning about their local community with visits to the local book shop, bakery and are making links with local schools through project work such as recycling. Equally they are learning about the natural world they live in through growing plants and watching the mini beasts that visit their garden. They have opportunities to explore technical equipment such as a computer and a digital camera and this helps them to express their interests in different ways rather then through language. They take turns in taking home a soft toy monkey which has all sorts of adventures to share with others at the setting. The staff's good knowledge of individual children and their skills in supporting their development, increases their life chances and future economic well being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety is successfully supported. They play in an environment where staff have taken time to make safe but they are also able to explore and be creative taking reasonable levels of risk as they learn to assess risk for themselves. Clear and consistent boundaries help them make choices and supports their understanding of why rules exist and this gives them confidence to know what is acceptable and what is not.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They are learning about healthy lifestyles, their health is promoted through daily routines and by having clear procedures in place. There is a good understanding of healthy eating. However, although drinks are available throughout the morning, they are not easily seen by children who receive insufficient reminders to drink plenty especially on hot days. Consequently children are in danger of becoming dehydrated. There are lots of opportunities for children to be physically active and exuberant both inside and out, activities such as climbing, jumping, hula hooping and crawling inside dens all help them to develop physically. This has a positive impact on their sense of well-being. The staff acts appropriately to support children when unwell and use preventative measures to stop the spread of infection. They understand that by teaching children good hygiene and having hygiene procedures in place, this prevents germs from spreading and promotes children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

health. 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 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

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