Smethwick Hall Girls' School

Egerton Pre-School Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 127171 Inspection date 21/09/2010 Inspector Clare Stone

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Setting address Millennium Village Hall, Egerton, Ashford, Kent, TN27 9DS

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Telephone number 07773 600982 Supervisor no 01622 858931 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 assesses 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. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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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

Egerton Playgroup opened in 1999 and operates from the Millennium Village Hall in Egerton, near Ashford, Kent. A maximum of 30 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open each weekday from 9:00am to 12:00pm, term time only. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 32 children aged from two to under five years on roll. Of these, 20 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local catchment area. The playgroup are able to support children with disabilities and can also provide assistance for those with learning difficulties as well as for children who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school employs seven staff, of these, six members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. They also receive support from the Local Authority.

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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 making good progress in their learning and development. Children are happy and settled in their environment and staff provide a fun and stimulating curriculum. There are good procedures in place to keep children safe and secure. Methods of self evaluation are effective, and identify the strengths and areas for improvement. Outcomes for children are fully promoted to ensure children's welfare needs are met and supported by the very good partnership with the parents and carers.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to remind children to wash hands before snack time  continue to extend children's mathmatical skills with appropriate language in everyday situations

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the early years provision

The manager ensures children are safeguarded in the setting by implementing robust recruitment procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff hold relevant qualifications and are experienced in looking after young children. All doors to the setting are locked and staff ensure secure arrival and departure procedures are in place. Thorough risk assessments are recorded and all hazards are quickly identified and made safe for children. The manager ensures regular fire procedures are practised and record all findings to ensure the quick and safe evacuation from the village hall. Staff have a good understanding of child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protection issues and could name the four types of abuse. They are very clear of their role and responsibilities in protecting the children in their care and all polices and procedures reflect this.

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the early years provision

All resources are in good order and fit for purpose. They support children's learning and are used effectively to achieve planned learning goals. Staff take appropriate steps to ensure resources and the environment are sustainable. Staff use a list of toys to ensure that children have access to all the resources and equipment stored at the setting. Children clearly thrive as a result of the setting they are in.

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the early years provision

Adults appropriately and actively promote equality and diversity. They have a good knowledge of each child's background and are taking effective steps to close identified achievement gaps. Staff work together to ensure all children's individual needs are being met and plan individual education plans for each child. They share records and information where appropriate to ensure children receive the support they need. Children feel valued and respected with their differences celebrated. The manager has completed a comprehensive self-evaluation and staff help identify improvements. The team work well together which leads to a harmonious feel within the setting. All new changes are monitored and reviewed to ensure it is of benefit for the children and all work is recorded. Children are also included in this strategy to help staff understand what children enjoy and give them a sense of belonging. All recommendations from the previous inspection have been met and

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents and carers is well established. Parent's state they are very happy with the care and education their children receives with a couple of parents moving their children to this setting from another one. Communications takes place between parents and other agencies regularly to ensure children's welfare is paramount. The setting visit the local school and meet with new teachers to help children with their transition to school. The staff seek parental permission before sharing any information with outside agencies. The staff promote good outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Most children, including those with special needs and/or disabilities and those with learning English as an additional language, are making good progress towards the Early learning goals. Children really enjoy their time at playgroup and parents say " they are excited about coming here". The hall is set up to cover all areas of learning and children make themselves busy. Due to the variety of activities and resources children are never bored and their behaviour is very good. Children can follow thier own intrests as staff feel it is important to let children move around freely. This promotes self help skills and independence.

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and outcomes for children

Staff clearly know the Foundations Stage very well and plan activities that are worthwhile and interesting. They follow children's interest and allow children to lead them with their planning. All observations link with the curriculum, helping This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extend and plan children's next steps. This ensures children are moving forward at a pace that suits them. Parents are involved in their children's learning and can view their records at any time. Children are happy and settle quickly at playgroup. Their welfare, health and safety are given good priority with personal, social and emotional development high on the list of priorities. Children form good relationships with other adults and play well on their own, and those from different backgrounds and cultures work and play in harmony.

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and outcomes for children

Staff help children to stay safe within the setting by gentle reminders not to run and what might happen if they do. This helps children learn cause and effect and be responsible for their own safety. They confidently talk about dangers and have visits from the community police officer who talks to them about road safety. Good quality interaction and well organised routines help young children to become secure and confident in their setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a good understanding of health and hygiene, but at times forget to wash their hands before having snack. They understand the importance of healthy eating through good quality activities such as cooking, gluing and sticking healthy food options on a paper plate and when staff read books. Children were able to access the snack bar which had healthy options for them to choose with water or milk to drink. This is available all the time to stop children from becoming dehydrated. Children engage in a wide variety of physical play, both indoors and out, increasing their understanding of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If children are unwell they do not attend playgroup, therefore preventing the risk of cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in communication, literacy and mathematics. However, on occasion staff missed opportunities to extend children's learning with mathematical language in everyday situations. Children are confident in using information and communication technology. They demonstrate good mouse control when playing games on the computer. They use tape recorders, telephones and calculators confidently during role-play. Helping them use thier imagination and recall questions they have been asked. Children play well together and are independently becoming active, curious and inquisitive learners. They are developing a good knowledge of the world around them and learning to make a positive contribution in society. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 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 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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