Tate House Playgroup @ Meath Gardens

Tate House Playgroup @ Meath Gardens Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436158 Inspection date 27/03/2012 Inspector Jill Nugent

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Setting address 1 Smart Street, LONDON, E2 0SN

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Telephone number 07507 601 107 Email tracymc1912@hotmail.co.uk Type of setting Childcare - Non-Domestic 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

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

Tate House Playgroup @ Meath Gardens registered in 2011. It recently moved premises and now operates from Meath Gardens Children's Centre in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Access to the building is at ground level. Children have the use of one large playroom and a secure outdoor play area. The playgroup is open every weekday from 8.30am until 11.30am and from 12.30pm until 3.30pm during term time.

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Description of the setting

The playgroup is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of 28 children may attend the playgroup at any one time, of these, 28 may be in the early years age group and no more than 16 under the age of three years. Currently there are 31 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the setting

The setting supports children who have special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language. The playgroup currently employs five staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications.

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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 offers a welcoming, safe and stimulating play environment for children. Staff are wholly inclusive in their approach, and this contributes to children's individual needs being catered for appropriately. Children's welfare is promoted effectively. Staff plan a variety of enjoyable and challenging learning experiences to move children on in their learning. Consequently, children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Staff work closely with parents and encourage their involvement in children's learning. The playgroup manager is beginning to use self-evaluation to help staff work towards improving the outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to encourage a culture of reflective practice amongst all staff. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The playgroup has effective policies and procedures in place to promote the safeguarding of all children. The manager has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She ensures that all staff know what to do if they have any concerns about children. Information concerning health and safety is displayed around the setting so that staff are well informed about correct procedures. Staff have carried out a risk assessment of the new premises, and this is updated as necessary so that any potential risks arising are minimised. All records relating to children's health and safety are well maintained.

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the early years provision

Staff are innovative in their use of resources so that children have a variety of choice. For example, play activities are set out at different heights, on tables and on the floor, indoors and outdoors. Children benefit from being able to access a range of learning experiences throughout each session. Staff are particularly good at noticing children's interests and joining children in play to promote and extend their learning. Children especially enjoy access to alternative resources outdoors, for example a large sandpit or willow hut. There is work in progress to develop the outdoor play area, thereby offering many more learning experiences to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world.

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the early years provision

The playgroup has a strong working partnership with parents and carers. Staff carry out home visits and work closely with parents to settle in new children. Parents receive useful written information about the provision. They are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning through sharing 'special books' showing children's individual development. Adult:child ratios are maintained at a high level so children often benefit from individual attention. Staff are flexible concerning daily routines so that children can continue with a chosen task if they wish before joining a group time. As a result, a relaxed, calm atmosphere prevails. Parents' views about the provision for children are very positive. They especially appreciate staff's ongoing communication and friendly approach.

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the early years provision

Staff work actively in partnership with other professionals to support children with special educational needs. The manager has close links with staff in the children's centre and liaises regularly with them so that children can receive extra support when necessary. She requests information from parents about children's individual needs and stages of development so that staff can take account of them when planning children's next steps. Staff also include opportunities for children to learn more about diversity through finding out about each other's cultural and religious backgrounds.

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the early years provision

The manager is committed to building a strong team of staff to work with the children in the new setting. Since registration, staff have attended some training events, and there are plans for much more training to be offered, for example in safeguarding and special educational needs. The manager is proactive in seeking advice in order to develop staff's childcare practice. She has relevant targets for the future, for example, plans to create a more exciting learning environment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 through the use of different materials and textiles. She encourages staff to evaluate their practice in discussion, although they are not yet involved in evaluating all aspects of their practice in order to prioritise areas for further improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy in the setting and are always keen to try new activities. They develop close relationships with staff, enjoying adult involvement in their play. Children demonstrate an open attitude to the learning experiences on offer. They are keen to explore and to discover new things with the support of staff. Children are aware of their boundaries and behave extremely well. They show respect for others as they make their choices, waiting their turn if necessary. They play harmoniously alongside each other, making friends easily. Staff enhance children's play effectively through their interaction to encourage children to communicate and investigate. In this way, children become active learners. They often become absorbed in their exploration and enjoy making new discoveries, for example when exploring sand, paint or toy cars.

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and outcomes for children

Staff make good use of a comprehensive system for observational assessment to record their observations of children's learning and to set future targets. The written activity plans clearly set out the learning objectives in each learning area. These enable staff to focus on children's individual development as well as initiating learning within the group as a whole. In this way, staff successfully move children on in their learning, helping them to acquire useful skills for the future. There are many good opportunities for children to be creative, using different tools and materials. Children especially enjoy role play, during which they learn to work with others as they play out imaginary situations. There are daily opportunities for participation in arts and crafts activities. Children are encouraged to express their own ideas creatively and to talk about their pictures or models so that they learn

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure at the playgroup. There are various safety measures in place to keep children safe on the premises. Children are always well supervised by staff both indoors and outdoors. New children quickly gain self-confidence and readily approach members of staff with their requests. Children have fun as they enjoy moving around the bright and spacious environment. They benefit from the opportunity to develop social skills at circle and snack times as they sing and talk together. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles through the provision of nutritious and healthy snacks. They have good access to drinking water throughout the day. They benefit from the opportunity to experience the changing weather and seasons as they play outdoors. In this way, children are encouraged to keep fit and healthy. 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 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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