St Paul's Playgroup

St Paul's Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220081 Inspection date 18/05/2011 Inspector Tracey Boland

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Setting address Semilong Community Centre, Norfolk Terrace, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN2 6HS Telephone number 07923053411 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.

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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.

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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

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

St. Paul's Playgroup is a committee run group which opened in 1990. It operates from a community centre close to Northampton town centre. It operates from one large playroom, with another, smaller room adjacent and toilet facilities and a large enclosed garden.

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Description of the setting

The setting is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 28 children on roll, all of whom are within the early year's age range. It operates on Monday to Friday mornings from 9.15am to 12.15 pm and Thursday afternoons from 12.30pm to 3pm, during term time only. A lunch club is also provided. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

The setting currently supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and where English is an additional language. There is direct access to the building.

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Description of the setting

There are seven members of staff. Five members of staff hold an appropriate early year's qualification to level three and one is currently completing her qualification. The playgroup receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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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 happily enter the setting and staff effectively meet their care and learning needs. They enjoy a wide variety of activities that encourage them to progress and their independence is continually encouraged. Information obtained from parents about their child's needs enables staff to plan for individuals. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and take suitable steps to ensure children's safety at all times. Partnerships with parents and other professionals involved in the children's lives ensure continuity of care. Staff have a clear vision for the future development of the service they provide, however, systems to include parent's views within the setting's self-evaluation process are in their infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the systems for encouraging a culture of reflective practice involving parents in evaluating the impact of your provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is continually safeguarded as staff demonstrate a good understanding of their role and responsibility with regard to protecting children from abuse and neglect. Their knowledge of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and how to respond is secure. Systems are in place to ensure children are not left unattended with unvetted adults and recruitment and induction processes ensure the suitability of staff. All required policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents, ensuring they are fully aware of the ethos of the setting.

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the early years provision

Risk assessments are completed for all areas of the setting and daily visual checks completed. Any unsuitable items are discarded. Established routines are in place, effectively promoting children's health and understanding of hygiene. Staff and children follow clear procedures to prevent the spread of infection and up-to-date training with regard to first aid enables staff to deal with minor accidents effectively. Medical records are maintained following an accident and for the administration of medication, and these are countersigned by parents.

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the early years provision

Staff are proactive in their approach to equality and diversity and children from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds attend the setting. Resources positively reflect their wider world and children are actively involved in cultural events throughout the year. Children's individual needs are effectively met and staff take time to get to know each child and their family. Staff have formed strong relationships with other professionals involved in the children's lives, such as health professionals and the Area Special Needs Coordinator. Their cohesive working ensures children's additional needs are continually met. Behaviour is very good and children feel secure in the consistent routines that are in place. Staff are good role models and praise children for their progress and achievements.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness of the setting's engagement with parents and carers is good. Relationships are strong and parents and grandparents speak highly of the care and support they and their child receive. Children enjoy snacks each day which vary from fresh fruit, yoghurts, toast and fruit kebabs, which the children are involved in preparing. Staff take account of any dietary needs and preferences. Drinks are freely available and children help themselves, reinforcing their independence skills.

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the early years provision

Staff demonstrate a commitment to keeping their knowledge and skill base up-to- date through ongoing training and personal development. Self-evaluation is seen as an important part of the setting's ongoing development, however, systems of obtaining the views of parents are not yet fully implemented.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and enter the setting well. They self-register, collecting their own name cards when they arrive. Lovely relationships have been formed between This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 staff, children and their peers and behaviour is good. Children enjoy a wide variety of activities and play experiences which encourage their natural curiosity to learn. Staff discuss in detail each child's development with their parents which enables them to plan effectively for all learning needs and encourages effective partnership-working. Staff make informative observations of children at play and their evaluations reflect a true understanding of each child's developmental stages and needs. Staff organise the provision well to enable children to freely access toys and resources and each day children benefit from plenty of fresh air as a free-flow system is in place for outdoor play. Specific areas are dedicated to role play and

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and outcomes for children

the book area is within a tent where children can sit, relax and quietly enjoy the good variety of books available to them.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety and the need to be healthy through discussions, consistent routines and activities, for example, washing their hands after using the toilet, messy play and before snack time. Children's physical skills are continually encouraged through the use of the outdoor play area and the variety of resources that enhance those skills, such as bikes, scooters, climbing frames and balancing logs.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of the living world has been encouraged whilst observing the changes that have taken place to frog spawn, and observational drawings reflect the different stages of their development. They are enjoy caring for them and are actively involved in feeding them and proving the foods needed to help them grow, such as lettuce and cucumber. Their pictures are displayed which enables them to talk about what they have learnt with their parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills for the future and enjoy using the computer and a variety of programmable toys and equipment, such as a tape recorder where they can record their own voices and play them back, a musical ladybird and a digital camera. Children have made their own display of their community, having taken pictures of themselves outside their homes with their families and pictures of other key places within their community, for example, the post office, places of worship and the chip shop.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of diversity and the wider world is encouraged through the activities and celebrations that take place throughout the year. They learn about different countries and customs and are actively involved in cooking activities that relate to them where they have the opportunity to weigh measure and mix the ingredients whilst observing the changes to the mixture through the cooking process. 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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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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