Tuffley Playgroup at Harewood Infant School

Tuffley Playgroup at Harewood Infant School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340893 Inspection date 25/01/2010 Inspector Fiona Robinson

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Setting address Harewood Infant School, Harewood Close, Tuffley, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL4 0SS Telephone number 01452 526889 Email 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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

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

Tuffley Playgroup has been registered at Harewood Infant School in Tuffley, Gloucester, since 2006. They also operate from the local scout hut that is their main base. The group has the use of a classroom, designated for pre-school use. They can also use the school hall, covered play area and outdoor play facilities. There is ramped disability access to the setting. An Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is offered for funded children across the playgroup's two sites.

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Description of the setting

Sessions at the school are offered on Monday mornings from 8.30am until 11.30am and Thursday afternoons from 12.15pm until 3.15pm, term time only. These sessions are offered to pre-school children aged over three years. There are currently 18 children on roll aged three to four years. All of these children are in receipt of education funding. The group can support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register.

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Description of the setting

An established team of seven staff work with the children; of these, five hold a recognised early years qualification and two are working towards this. Staff are employed by the voluntary management committee of playgroup parents.

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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

Children are fully included in an interesting range of activities and respond well to the care and support they are given. Excellent partnerships with parents and the host school ensure that information is shared very effectively. Children settle well and enjoy their time at the playgroup. Managers and staff clearly identify where their strengths and areas for development lie. They have good capacity to drive improvements forward in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop resources in the outdoor area of learning  develop the use of technology in activities

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the early years provision

Children’s safety is protected well, because staff have a good awareness of health and safety issues and the setting is very secure. Risk assessments are carried out regularly and staff ensure children are well supervised. Comprehensive policies and procedures are fully implemented. There are robust systems in place for the safe collection of children. Children use a good range of equipment that is safe and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suitable for their age.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are excellent. They say their children enjoy coming to the playgroup. They receive clear information about activities and special events. Staff work hard to keep parents fully informed of their children’s learning journey and keep them updated on their achievement and progress. Partnerships with the host school are excellent and information is shared very effectively with them. There are also excellent links with the community, as children are helped to run their own allotment at their other setting.

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the early years provision

The playgroup is well led and managed with clear plans in place for future improvements, which are based on accurate self-evaluation. These include increasing the resources for outdoor play, which is a key improvement area. Good progress has been made in addressing the recommendations of the previous inspection. In particular, children are provided with a good range of activities for creative and physical play. Staff plan together and share information regularly at weekly team meetings. They carry out regular observations of children’s progress to guide planning. They work well together as a team and regularly access appropriate training opportunities. Regular appraisals of staff are carried out and they demonstrate a good capacity to improve. The manager and staff promote equality and diversity and ensure children are fully integrated in activities. They recognise the need to increase the use of technology in activities, such as the

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and outcomes for children

Children achieve well in well-planned indoor and outdoor activities. An effective key person system ensures children experience good continuity of care and staff respond well to their individual needs. Children are well behaved and share resources sensibly. They learn to behave responsibly and safely because staff are very good role models. Children are encouraged to be independent and confident in a well organised setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s health is promoted well through healthy eating and regular exercise in Active Start sessions. Outdoors, they develop their climbing and balancing skills and they enjoy playing games with the parachute. They are encouraged to make healthy choices at snack time and enjoy making pizzas and eat a wide range of fruit. Children are skilful at growing their own vegetables in their allotment and enjoy sampling the carrots and tomatoes. They learn how to use tools safely when making models and preparing sandwiches for a picnic.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun being creative in their stimulating indoor area. They are keen to paint pictures and enjoy dressing up for role play in the office area. They learn about numbers and most can count up to 10 and beyond. They practise their number skills when they sing ‘Five Little Firemen Standing in a Room’. Their listening skills are developed well when staff read stories such as ‘Grandmother’s Footsteps’. They are making good progress in linking sounds and letters and enjoy looking for shapes in the environment. Their creative skills are developed well and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 currently they are designing pictures for a patchwork quilt. There are more limited opportunities for children to use digital cameras to record their own achievements. Festivals such as Christmas and the Chinese New Year increase their understanding and widen their experiences of their own and other communities.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy going on environmental walks and building snowmen in the snow. Trips such as a recent ‘Santa Cruise’ enrich their experiences at the setting. Overall, they are well prepared for the next stage in their learning in this stimulating and inclusive setting. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 2 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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