Sutton Bonington Pre-School Playgroup

Sutton Bonington Pre-School Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 253433 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Alison Edwards

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Setting address The Old School Rooms, Bucks Lane, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5PB Telephone number 07977545702 Email suttonboningtonplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Sutton Bonnington Playgroup registered in 1968. It is run by a committee. It operates from the old school rooms in the village of Sutton Bonnington in the Rushcliffe district of Nottinghamshire and serves the local area. Children use the hall and associated cloakroom facilities, with access to an enclosed outdoor play area. The playgroup operates from Monday to Friday during school terms: There are daily morning sessions each weekday from 9.00am until noon. A lunch club lasting till 1.00pm operates on some days, subject to demand. There are sometimes afternoon sessions within the hours of 12.45pm to 3.15pm depending on demand. Children attend a variety of sessions. The playgroup is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of 26 children between the ages of two and eight years, all of whom may be in the early years age range. The playgroup is also registered on the

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Description of the setting

voluntary part of the Childcare Register to care for older children. It receives funding to provide nursery education to three- and four-year-old children. There are currently 30 children on roll, all within the early years age range. There are currently five regular staff including the manager. Of these, four hold qualifications at Level 3 and one at Level 2. One studying at Level 3, and one doing foundation degree.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The playgroup promotes children's welfare and learning well. Staff know and value children's individual similarities and differences, so building children's self-esteem and helping them recognise and respect diversity. Consequently, children develop good relationships with others, and are confident in showing sustained interest and enjoyment in their play. There are good arrangements to share information about children's experiences and progress with parents, and to encourage parents to be actively involved in arrangements for their children's care. There are effective systems to monitor and review the effectiveness of the playgroup's existing procedures and practice, and to identify and implement well-targeted plans to further improve the quality of provision for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all volunteers and committee members receive full information and guidance on their roles and responsibilities  develop more consistent use of assessments of children's current abilities and the next steps in the learning to inform planning to consistently provide the highest levels of challenge and progression for individual children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Playgroup staff make use of relevant introductory training to ensure that they have a sound understanding of what child abuse and neglect mean, and of their responsibility to follow agreed procedures in the event of any child protection concerns in order to safeguard children from harm. An appropriate policy is in place to underpin this. Effective staff recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that those working directly with children are suitable to do so, and have a good understanding of their roles and duties. There are robust systems to notify Ofsted of any new committee members in order to prompt the commencement of the vetting procedures which are required for adults with overall legal responsibility for the playgroup. However, committee members have initially sometimes lacked full information about their duty to comply with these procedures, resulting in occasional delay in their completion.

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the early years provision

Available space and resources are used well, with particular emphasis given to effective use of the outdoor environment to promote children's well-being and progress. The playgroup has taken good steps to address recommendations raised at its previous inspection, for example by reviewing the structure of each session to better provide for children's uninterrupted and purposeful play. Staff, committee and parents are encouraged to participate in evaluating the current provision, and in setting a number of relevant and specific targets for further improvement. There are systematic arrangements to support on-going professional development for staff through the use of appraisals to identify current skills and interests. Staff make good use of local support networks, and undertake training to further their existing qualifications, so building on their existing knowledge and understanding of early years issues.

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the early years provision

Staff work closely with parents to gain a thorough understanding of each child's circumstances, abilities and needs, enabling them to recognise and value each child's individuality. Consequently, children settle well and are confident in their play and learning. Parents have ready access to their children's developmental records, and are encouraged to discuss children's progress at regular review meetings. The playgroup actively encourages parental participation in a variety of ways, including involvement in the management of the group. Children enjoy choosing playgroup library books to take home and share with their families, so helping to make links between home and playgroup. Staff have a clear understanding of how to work effectively with other agencies to support the inclusion of children with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities. They have established good links with other local early years settings, such as

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the early years provision

reception class staff, so helping children's confident transition to the next stage of their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal and social skills are developing extremely well. From their early days at playgroup they are very confident in their relationships with others, for example as they spontaneously cooperate with each other in simple role play, or as they listen attentively to each other during circle time. They show consistently high levels of independence and sustained attention in their play and activities as they freely choose and use a wide range of interesting resources indoors and out. Staff are skilled and sensitive in establishing consistent and positive expectations for children's behaviour. They actively encourage them to take growing responsibility for their surroundings and activities, for example, by helping to design and construct an 'assault course'. Children develop an excellent awareness of different lifestyles and cultures because staff are careful to plan and incorporate stimulating

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and outcomes for children

experiences helping to develop positive attitudes to diversity, such as frequent food preparation and tasting activities linked to different cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Staff have a good awareness of the learning and development requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and of how to promote children's progress through practical play and first hand experiences, both indoors and out. Consequently, children are establishing a good basis for their future development and learning. For example, they develop good problem-solving skills and awareness of capacity as they purposefully fill and compare different containers of sand and water in the outdoor play area. They express their creativity using mark making materials outside, or by experimenting with a good selection of collage materials. They learn about aspects of the natural world as they grow vegetables in various containers, or during frequent outings to a local spinney. They show good awareness of rhyme and rhythm as they anticipate what will happen next in favourite stories such as 'Aliens love underpants', or as they participate in favourite

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and outcomes for children

songs. They show purposeful interest in early writing as they create their own name leaves for the 'Belonging tree'. Children are often confident users of everyday technology, as when they competently and purposefully use children's computer programs, or as they spontaneously use toy mobile phones for pretend conversations. Parents and staff contribute their observations of children's initial abilities and preferences to provide a good basis for future progress. Staff continue to make frequent observations and to review and share these with parents at regular intervals so they have a good overview of children's progress. However, current planning sometimes does not make full use of assessments of the next steps in children's learning in order to consistently provide the highest levels of challenge and progression for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and independent in their use of welcoming and stimulating premises. Staff provide consistently good levels of supervision and implement clear and thorough procedures to promote children's safety, for example when participating in outings in the local neighbourhood. Children learn to act safely and responsibly within daily routines. For example, staff help them to use small knives to slice bananas during snack time, or to safely turn the wheel of a hand-operated sewing machine when helping to design and make decorated fabric panels. Children show a good understanding of healthy living as explain why they need to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wash their hands thoroughly before eating. They enjoy varied and nutritious snacks helping to contribute to a balanced diet. Staff encourage children to extend their individual levels of confidence and skill in activities such as climbing and

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and outcomes for children

balancing. They provide a wide range of freely accessible experiences encouraging children to extend their dexterity, for example by using mark-making and creative materials or construction toys. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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