Busy Bees Playgroup

Busy Bees Playgroup Barley Hill Cp School, Ludsden Grove, THAME, Oxfordshire, OX9 3DH

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 January 2015 21 September 2011

p.1

3

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

p.1

3

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Systems for storage of records are not monitored closely enough to ensure complete confidentiality.  Some large group activities are too long and do not hold children's interest. Therefore, some children do not make good progress during these times.  Self-evaluation is not rigorous enough to accurately identify strengths and weaknesses of provision in order to drive improvements. Staff skills are developed through regular access to training. However, staff do not have sufficient opportunities to receive feedback on their teaching.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 Staff take time to get to know each family well so that children enjoy their introduction to the playgroup. Staff are kind and caring and children quickly form strong attachments to all staff, and in particular to their special person. As a result, children settle quickly, gain confidence and start to learn.  Parents benefit from informal opportunities to share information at the beginning and end of the session. They value the information they receive from the playgroup about their child's experiences.  Staff are skilled at using opportunities during play to teach children more about things that interest them. They support children well to become more independent.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure that children's records are stored confidentially at all times.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen group activity planning to ensure that all children taking part are challenged and engaged  improve the process for self-evaluation so that strengths and weaknesses are accurately identified  develop the system for staff supervision so that that quality of teaching is more closely monitored and improved.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector engaged in a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation, such as evidence of staff suitability, records of children's learning and some policies.  The inspector observed activities inside and in the outside area.

p.2

who attend. This requires improvement

Staff work with parents to gather information about their child's interests and achievements. They observe children as they play and plan some interesting activities to help them to learn and develop. Staff use assessment information appropriately and work in partnership with other professionals to help individual children to make progress. Children develop communication skills through enjoyable conversations with staff during their self-chosen activities. Staff make the most of opportunities to base teaching around things that interest the children. For example, they encourage children to look through binoculars and to listen to a plane as it flies over head. This helps children to learn about the world around them. Staff also plan large group times. However, these are not always successful because they are not planned to meet the needs of all the children. Therefore, some children do not engage well during these times.

p.3

good

The staff provide a safe and welcoming environment for children. They know how to keep children safe because they keep their knowledge up to date. Staff work hard to get to know each child and their family well, and this makes each child feel special. Staff provide effective opportunities to share information with parents. As a result, parents feel informed and are pleased with their child's experiences. Staff set up the environment and use routines to teach children to become independent. For example, they refer to pictures displayed near the sinks to help children learn how to wash their hands. Staff make the most of opportunities that arise naturally to teach children to consider each other's feelings. Therefore, children learn to play together well. Children learn about healthy lifestyles as staff provide regular opportunities for them to exercise and to learn about different foods.

p.3

provision requires improvement

The manager has a reasonable understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, the system for evaluating the provision is not rigorous enough. For example, it is not clear how records are kept confidential at all times. The manager aspires to provide high quality provision. However, the monitoring of daily practice does not identify weaknesses, such as in the quality of learning during group times. Information from children's progress records is not reviewed to inform improvements. Staff are able to identify and attend useful training courses that interest them. However, systems set up to monitor teaching do not provide staff with enough help to improve their skills. Staff make contact with other settings and effectively share information with parents. This makes sure that everyone works together to support children to learn. Children are well prepared for school because staff have good links with

p.3

provision requires improvement

other settings, including the on-site school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY424249 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 823073 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 41 Name of provider Lynn Jones Date of previous inspection 21 September 2011 Telephone number 01844215944

p.4

Setting details

Busy Bees Playgroup opened in 1976 and is privately owned. It is located in the market town of Thame, Oxfordshire. Accommodation consists of a single storey unit with access to an enclosed outdoor play space. It is in the grounds of Barley Hill Primary School. The playgroup receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four. The playgroup opens every weekday during school term times, from 9.10am until 12.10pm. On Monday and Wednesday there are options for afternoon sessions, including a lunch club, until 2.40pm. On Friday the afternoon session ends at 2.10pm. During the afternoons of Tuesday and Thursday, the playgroup offers sessions from 12.15pm to 2.45pm for younger children. The playgroup employs six members of staff, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.5

Setting details

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

p.5