Ysgol Reoledig Llanfair D.C.

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. Fylingdales Pre-School Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 400307 Inspection date 03/07/2009 Inspector Christine Tipple

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Setting address Fylingdale Pre-School PlayGroup, St Stephens Church Rooms, Fylingthorpe, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4RN Telephone number 07964 436779 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). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Fylingdales Pre-School Playgroup operates from St. Stephen's Church Rooms in Robin Hoods Bay near Whitby, and is managed by a voluntary committee. The group use the ground floor room with associated facilities. There is direct access from the back door to the enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

Most children attending live in the local villages and surrounding area. The playgroup is registered on the Early Years Register to take a maximum of 13 children at any one time aged from two to under five years. There are 24 children currently on roll in this age range. The pre-school is open term time only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.00 to 15.30, and on Tuesday and Thursday 9.00 to 13.00 which includes lunch. A parent and toddler group operates on a Thursday afternoon. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four.

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Description of the setting

The playgroup employs three members of staff who work directly with the children. All have relevant early years qualifications levels at level 2 to 6 which includes a member of staff who has achieved Early Years Professional Status. Voluntary staff are also available to ensure staffing ratios are maintained.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are made very welcome into the playgroup and their individual needs and interests highly valued and well supported. This is effectively managed through a consistent, knowledgeable staff team who support children to make good progress through well managed systems to observe and assess children in all areas of their learning. The range of information, policies and procedures overall provide clear details of good practice which fully support all aspects of the children's safety and well being. The staff take positive steps to evaluate and reflect on their practice and this is dearly recorded in their action and development plans for the pre-school which identifies areas to improve and to build upon their strengths effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all policies, procedures and other related documentation are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure these remain up to date and reflect current guidelines  ensure the management committee have up-to-date knowledege and understanding in relation to safeguarding children, which supports them to implement the policy and procedure effectively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The partnerships established with parents are excellent. The range of information and regular contact made by the staff ensures they are kept informed in all areas of their children's learning and progress. The children's learning journey files are shared regularly with parents by their children's key person. This provides a consistent two way approach to children's needs in relation to developing a positive link with home and playgroup. This is further enhanced with the use of the holiday books which enables the children and parents to record what they do when not at playgroup. The additional details inform staff more fully of individual children's interests and things they enjoy doing. Staff are able to use this to further their planning and to extend the individual learning opportunities provided. Parents provide feedback both verbally and through their children's files and this reflects how highly they value what is provided day to day by the staff for their children.

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provision

They comment on the staff's positive attitude and commitment to their children.

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provision

The pre-school are a member of the early years cluster group for the area and this provides a very good approach to managing children's transition into the local school. Staff work closely together to ensure children have continuity and support at this time which enables them to settle well. This positive approach to working together and the sharing of good practice provides a detailed range of information which fully informs the playgroups action plan on areas to develop and build upon for the future. The parents prospectus is detailed and includes how the Early Years Foundation Stage is incorporated into children's play and learning. The regular newsletter and notices all maintain a flow of information which benefits both parents, staff and children. The policies and procedures are shared with parents and displayed at all times. The staff have updated their safeguarding training and relevant information is in place to support staff and the management committee if

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provision

a concern about a child is raised. However, the policies and procedures and other documentation are not consistently reviewed to ensure they reflect current practices and guidelines. The risk assessments in place cover the overall operation of the playgroup and these are being reviewed. This links with staff training on improving the recording and assessment of risk in playgroup which is more effective. The systems in place to recruit and select staff are good which ensure they are suitable to be with children. Staff have a staff handbook, an induction programme and yearly appraisals which enable the staff to develop their training and skills, such as extending their qualifications. Staff work very well as a team and regularly meet to share information and assess what needs to improve.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children come into the pre-school happy and excited to play. There is a positive approach to providing an equal balance of child-led and adult-led activities. This promotes a stimulating environment where the children are purposefully engaged. The relationships with the staff are very good and the key person system works well to ensure children's individual needs and interests are recognised and highly valued. Children's learning journey files are well presented and provide clear and informed details of what the children can do and the progress they make which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 link effectively into the areas of learning. These are enhanced with photographs and captions which demonstrate the staff's knowledge and skill in implementing the Foundation Stage and ensuring children's learning and progress in maximised fully through the range of experiences and activities provided. The key staff have

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

clear plans in place which are flexible and monitored by staff to ensure children progress forward in relation to their needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with good experiences which support and help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others and to extend their social skills. The pre-school promotes a family environment where each child's varied needs and interests are positively supported. This enables children to gain confidence, independence and self assurance in a secure way. Children have good opportunities to count and use numbers though their play, to make connections and recognise relationships through finding out about and working with numbers. The children use shape, space and measures through the various activities, such as sand, baking where they weigh and measure. Problem solving through discussion of how many cups needed for snack and linking this to how many children attending. The children enjoy building with shapes which interlock together. The computer offers additional learning in matching games and shape

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sorters. Staff use a range of props to encourage children's interest in numbers, such as glove puppets and action songs. Children develop their speaking and listening skills well as staff promote ongoing conversations and opportunities for the children to listen, talk to each other and express themselves which is well promoted at circle time. The good use made of books, images and displays promote recognition of letters and becoming familiar with these. Children have a variety of tools and resources which promote children to mark make, this includes clip boards and pencils being placed around the pre-school. Children take part in making up rhymes which challenges their use of words and in extending their vocabulary.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children experience activities which promote the natural environment, such as the garden area to plant vegetables and to look for various animals and insects. Children take an active part in the community and to get to know what each others parents do, this includes farming and fishing. Visitors are welcomed, the nurse and other people who help us and members of the local church. Children have opportunities to explore and investigate, for example, melting ice, mixing ingredients, and to discuss where their food comes from. The wider community is reflected in the images, resources and a positive attitude children gain from knowing and valuing their own community. Children are actively involved in the practical use of tools around them to look at things, such as magnifying glasses and bug viewers. Children enjoy construction, building and fixing things and these are varied in size and ability as the children self select and make choices for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

themselves. Children are active through their play and physical development is promoted very well through the very good use made of the outside and the resources offered. Children enjoy being outside and this promotes healthy activities and regular fresh air which support and extend their physical skills effectively. The range of creative activities provided for the children enables them to develop their ideas by using and having access to a good selection of various mediums and materials to build and make their pictures with. A child making stilts from junk materials and the discussion and decisions made by the child to ensure these were This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strong enough to stand on. There is a varied selection of crayons, paints, scissors, props and make believe, and the role play area is whatever the children want it to be. Imaginative play is a key part of what the children enjoy and this is enhanced

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

through the good use made of small world resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a good selection of foods provided on a daily basis which fully promote healthy lifestyles and eating. The children enjoy their snacks and the social interaction this brings. Children have their own water bottles which they access throughout the session. Being safe is managed well by the staff with the children. The activities and discussions all promote safety with the children when using different tools and includes road safety and being part of the evacuation process at playgroup. Children are encouraged by the staff to develop habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners. Staff's knowledge and understanding is good in relation to managing children's behaviour, they are calm and sensitive in their approach which promotes positive responses from the children. This is due to the children being engaged in purposeful and interesting play and learning at playgroup which staff fully support.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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