Stratton Pre-School, Cirencester

Stratton Playgroup The Scout Building, Thessaly Road, Cirencester, GL7 2NG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 February 2015 20 April 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

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: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The assessment and planning by staff demonstrates their deep reflection and knowledge about each child. Staff respond to children's needs and interests during the sessions. They plan for each day, providing timely help to extend each child's learning.  Staff use skilful questions during play and activities to encourage children to think and respond. This helps children to progress in all areas of learning and develop an inquisitive approach to learning.  Staff have strong links with the host primary school, other providers and professionals, which ensures all children are ready to move on to the next stage in their learning.  Management and staff maintain a safe and secure environment for the children to play safely. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns.  The manager provides effective support to the enthusiastic staff team. She draws on

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This provision is good

the knowledge and skills of staff to provide effective, flexible and well-communicated support to children and their families.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not make the best use of the outdoor area to fully promote children's learning during the winter months.  The manager is effective in assessing the development of individual children but she does not check as precisely the progress of specific groups of children.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to play outside to extend their understanding of healthy lifestyles and enhance learning for children who prefer to play and learn outside  extend checking of children's progress to cover that made by groups of children, such as those of the same age or gender.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play, activities and staff interaction with children in all areas of the playgroup including outside, and viewed the toys, resources and equipment available for children's use.  The inspector held discussions with the playgroup manager, staff, headteacher and children, and took account of the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector checked evidence of safeguarding practices, staff recruitment, staff training and professional development, and evaluation processes.  The inspector looked at records for children's learning and development, and discussed how staff assessed children's progress.

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who attend. This is good

The staff all hold qualifications at level 3 and above. They understand how children learn and the quality of teaching is good. Ongoing observations of children's play and discussions with parents mean that staff know children well. Consequently, they tailor activities considering children's interest to help them reach the next steps in their learning. For example, children interested in post learnt about the world as they created postcards, walked to the post-box identifying road addresses and met the local postperson. Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. They work closely with all involved to ensure they meet children's individual needs. Consequently, all children make good progress relative to their starting points. Staff help children learn the skills and dispositions that prepare them for school. Children are confident communicators. Staff promote children's literacy as they read to the children and build activities around

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who attend. This is good

favourite stories. Children are encouraged to draw and write in a variety of ways. They have many opportunities to count, measure and become familiar with shapes.

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good

The key-person system supports children's well-being and learning extremely well. Staff plan the indoor environment thoughtfully, as resources are readily available. As a result, children are confident and self-motivated as they make choices. Daily dance and movement help children explore the effect of physical exercise on their bodies as they stretch and jump. However, during the winter staff limit children's access to the outside during the day. This does not support those children who prefer to learn outside or always promote children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children use good personal hygiene routines. Children behave well; they quickly help to tidy up and sit well at meal times, developing their social skills. Staff regularly explain to children about keeping themselves safe and include them when carrying out risk assessments. For example, staff explain they need to check for dangers before children may go out.

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provision is good

The manager uses effective systems for professional development, which helps safeguard children and positively impacts on their learning. For example, children's counting skills have improved following recent staff training on mathematics. Staff implement strong systems to check the progress made by individual children, including two-year-olds. However, management has not extended the checking system to help them identify trends in learning and development for groups of children. This means they are not able to target precise improvements. Staff share information with parents on children's learning and care. This provides good continuity for children's experiences and fosters well-being.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY334210 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 834762 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 29 Name of provider Stratton Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 20 April 2012 Telephone number 07749647722

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Setting details

Stratton Playgroup registered in 2006. The playgroup operates in the Scout Head Quarters from Stratton Church of England Primary School, in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday during term time 9am to 12 noon. They extend opening times in the summer term. A team of four staff works with the children. All staff hold an appropriate early years qualification. The manager holds a qualification at level 4.

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Setting details

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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Setting details

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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Setting details

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Setting details

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

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