Rainbow Playgroup

Rainbow Playgroup Methodist Church Hall, Nayland Road, Mile End, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5ET

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 January 2015 20 January 2009

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is inadequate

 The committee lacks knowledge and understanding of their legal responsibilities and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The committee has failed to ensure that Ofsted is notified about significant changes and events. Consequently, children's welfare is not assured.  The committee has not taken sufficient action since the last inspection to minimise the risk of children leaving the premises unsupervised. This compromises children's safety and well-being.  Staff do not always maximise opportunities to share ideas with parents, to extend their children's learning at home.

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It has the following strengths

 The manager and staff have created a friendly, family atmosphere where children develop strong attachments, play well together and happily share resources.  Teaching is good because staff provide children with a wide range of exciting activities. Consequently, children are motivated to learn and develop good skills across all areas of learning.  Staff provide good support for children's language and communication skills. This means that all children, including those who speak English as an additional language, become confident communicators.  The manager maintains an effective overview of the progress individual children, or groups of children make. This monitoring helps her to make improvements that directly benefit all children's learning and development.  Well-established links exist with local schools and other early years providers to promote continuity in children's learning and development.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that the members of the committee improve their knowledge and understanding of when Ofsted needs to be notified about significant events and changes  take steps to improve the security of the main entrance to ensure that children do not leave the premises unsupervised.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen ways to share ideas for activities that parents can do at home with their children, to make sure that children are supported in making the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outdoor learning environments.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and children.  The inspector viewed a sample of the children's development records.  The inspector saw evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the staff, self- evaluation, risk assessment and policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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who attend. This is good

Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and demonstrate effective teaching strategies. Children have the freedom to choose from a wide range of experiences, both indoors and outside. All children listen well and remain attentive throughout activities, group times and story sessions. They have good opportunities to count or write purposely in the role-play scenarios. Consequently, children develop the important skills they need when they start school. Careful assessments of children's development enables staff to effectively track progress and ensure there are no gaps in learning. Staff provide parents with the mandatory progress check for children aged between two and three years, and also summary reports of their child's learning each term. Some parents provide initial and ongoing information about their children's development. However, staff do not consistently share ideas with parents, to enable them to further support their children's learning at

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inadequate

Children's safety and well-being are compromised due to insufficient attention given to ensuring that children are unable to leave the premise unsupervised. Staff have made some improvements to risk assessment following the last inspection. However, children can still open the main entrance doors because the handles are within their reach. Despite this, children generally understand the rules which guide their safety, such as not running indoors or climbing on furniture. They remind each other to be careful when riding in the cars. Children confidently settle and form warm bonds with their key persons. They play together harmoniously and behave well. Staff are active in supporting children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. They provide suitable opportunities for children to develop their independence skills through the daily routine and activities, both indoors and outside. Transfer arrangements to new settings are well organised and this helps the

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inadequate

children prepare emotionally for the move to school.

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provision is inadequate

The committee has not fulfilled its legal responsibility of notifying Ofsted of changes to the nominated person and committee members within the prescribed time period. This means children are not fully safeguarded as Ofsted has not been able ensure that all the required suitability checks are carried out for new committee members. Nonetheless, appropriate recruitment and vetting checks are carried out for staff members to ensure they are suitable to work with children. The manager uses supervision efficiently to ensure that staff regularly complete training courses to update their skills and knowledge. All staff are familiar with the detailed safeguarding policy and have completed training to help them identify and deal with any child protection concerns. All parents spoken to during this inspection are very supportive of the playgroup and say they are happy with the care and education the children receive.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 203441 Local authority Essex Inspection number 871068

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Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 17 Name of provider Rainbow Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 20 January 2009 Telephone number 07779 349128

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Type of provision

Rainbow Playgroup was registered in 1990 and is run by a committee. It operates from a church hall in Colchester, Essex. The playgroup employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom appropriate early years qualifications. The playgroup opens Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 9am until 12 noon, with an optional lunch club until 1pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Type of provision

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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.

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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