Condicote 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. Condicote Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY225776 Inspection date 15/01/2009 Inspector Sally Wride

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Setting address Condicote Village Hall, Condicote, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 1EY Telephone number 0779 698 7173 Email jo.abrahams@tesco.net 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

Condicote Playgroup originally opened in 1968 and registered in a new building in 2002. The setting is a committee run group and operates from the village hall of Condicote, near Stow-on-the-Wold. The playgroup serves the local area and has links with local schools. There is a fully enclosed play area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 24 children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently 30 children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Of these, 18 children receive funding for early years provision. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register.

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Description of the setting

The group opens Monday to Thursday during school term times. Sessions are from 09:15 until 12:15. A lunch club is available for children staying until 13:00. The group operates a carer and toddler group on Friday mornings from 09:30 until 11:30. Children are able to attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and has procedures to support children who speak English as an additional language. The building is accessed via a slope which leads to a flat level entrance. Accessible ground floor toilet facilities are provided.

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Description of the setting

The setting employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, all three hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager of the playgroup has Qualified Teacher Status and Early Years Professional Status. There is one member of staff currently working towards a recognised higher-level early years qualification. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and settled at playgroup and have great fun in an environment where their welfare needs are promoted with success. They make very good progress in their learning and development and relish taking part in meaningful activities and spontaneous play. Children's individual needs are well known by staff who cater for these extremely well in the inclusive care environment. They benefit greatly from the strong relationships that their parents and carers enjoy with staff. Systems for evaluating the provision through reflection are well developed, with the vast majority of areas requiring further improvement recognised and actively planned for.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the information provided on the procedure to be followed in the event of a parent failing to collect a child at the appointed time. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children benefit from the strong leadership and management of both the committee and the manager. The manager and staff work very well together as a committed and enthusiastic team. They use their time extremely well to ensure that every child's individual needs are well met. Adult to child ratios are well maintained and ensure that children receive high levels of care and support. Effective recruitment, vetting and induction procedures and regular staff appraisals ensure that children are cared for by safe and suitable adults. Staff have ongoing access to training which ensures they remain up to date with current good practice and changes within the early years field. As a result, they are fully informed of the EYFS and implement this extremely well to provide a high standard of care which promotes positive outcomes for children.

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provision

A strong commitment to self-evaluation has ensured that the manager and staff team have a firm understanding of their many strengths and the vast majority of areas requiring further development. They have clear plans in place for the future, including further development of relationships with other providers delivering the EYFS. All recommendations raised at the last inspection have been considered and positive steps taken to ensure outcomes for children have improved. This demonstrates the provisions strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement. Children's welfare is safeguarded because all required policies and procedures are in place, the vast majority of which are effective in practice. However, although in place, the procedure to be followed in the event of a parent failing to collect a child at the appointed time is not sufficiently detailed. Recruitment, vetting and induction procedures are robust and risk assessments are thorough. Ongoing

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provision

visual safety checks are carried out and recorded each day with positive action taken to ensure that all perceived hazards are minimised. All staff have an excellent knowledge of the setting's child protection policies and procedures, which are reflective of Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) guidelines.

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provision

Excellent procedures are in place to identify and support children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Strong partnerships between staff, parents and carers and external agencies effectively promote children's well-being and help each child develop to their full potential. Well-detailed individual education plans are produced to identify short-term targets for children. These are regularly reviewed in partnership with parents and carers in order to assess the progress of the child. As a result, all children make good progress in their learning and development. Parents and carers are able to view and contribute to their children's assessment and observation records at any time and these are formally shared at regular times throughout the year. The setting is proactively developing relationships with other providers delivering the EYFS to ensure that appropriate information is effectively shared, promoting children's progression and continuity of learning and care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children relish their time at the setting, have great fun with the staff and their peers and actively involve themselves in play. They confidently engage in a wide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of planned activities that cater for all six areas of learning. Effective and informative planning, observation and assessment systems ensure that children's individual learning and development needs are well considered in current and future activities. As a result, children are provided with many beneficial opportunities to consolidate their learning and make excellent progress. A flexible approach is applied to the daily routine with a good balance of both adult-led and child-initiated activities. All children are fully included as they are encouraged to take part in all activities and play. They are enabled to do so through excellent levels of staff enthusiasm, involvement and support. Children's skills for the future

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are developing extremely well because they make good progress with their communication skills, in their literacy, numeracy, and information and communication technology. They are active, inquisitive and independent learners and develop collaborative and problem solving skills through their play and more structured activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's independence is developed throughout the daily routine, for example, as they pour their own drinks. They have free and easy access to books and enjoy listening to stories, read by enthusiastic staff, completely absorbed in the story. Many children are able to form recognisable letters. They write for their own purpose in the role play area to, for example, write out customer orders in the café. Children communicate confidently, readily initiating and engaging in conversation with their peers, the staff and visitors to the setting. They engage in sorting and matching games and spontaneously use mathematical language in their play, for example, as they compare the sizes of different objects. They manipulate play dough and use tools such as plastic knives and wooden rollers to mould and shape the dough. They use their imaginations well as they use the play dough to represent ice for their Arctic small world animal figures, such as polar

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

bears and penguins. Children confidently operate equipment such as tape players to listen to a story tape using headphones. They program robots using directional instructions and access age-appropriate programmes on the setting's laptop. They use simple tools such as hole punchers, creating shapes to use in their arts and crafts, for example, snowflakes and stars. They use materials such as foil, foam, cardboard and tissue to create collage pictures and enjoy exploring creatively in the art and crafts area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are busy and occupied in their play and behave very well. They receive warm praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements which positively fosters their self-esteem. They develop an appreciation of the wider world as they taste foods originating from other countries and dress up in traditional clothes. They access a suitable range of toys and resources which reflect positive images of diversity. Children have an excellent knowledge of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They openly talk about exercise and eating healthy foods, recognising that this will help to keep them healthy and well. Children wash their hands at appropriate times and understand that this is to remove germs which may make them ill. They are growing increasingly aware of perceived dangers and of how they can keep themselves safe, for example, through practising road safety techniques. Staff encourage their understanding

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

extremely well as they carefully explain potential hazards and how children can keep themselves safe as part of the daily routine. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks each day which offer variety and choice. Their dietary needs and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 preferences are known by staff and well catered for. Many children stay for lunch, eating packed lunches brought with them from home. Fresh drinks are provided throughout the session, ensuring children are well hydrated. 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? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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