Wheatcroft Preschool Playgroup

Wheatcroft Playgroup St Michael's Church Hall, Filey Road, SCARBOROUGH, North Yorkshire, YO11 3AA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 March 2015 23 September 2009

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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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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement 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

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

 The playgroup committee do not demonstrate a secure understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and have failed to fulfil their responsibilities in meeting all of these requirements.  The playgroup committee have failed to inform Ofsted of changes to members of the committee, which is a breach of requirements.  Staff do not always keep a full account of the hours of children's attendance.  Staff do not always promote thorough hand washing procedures with children.  Staff do not always make best use of the outdoor area to fully support children's skills in literacy.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff are confident in their teaching and have a good understanding of how to support all children's learning and development. As a result, children make good progress and are well prepared for school.  Staff give high priority to ensuring parents are fully included in the life of the playgroup, which contributes to families building trusting relationships with staff. This promotes very good communication and significantly benefits each child's ongoing care, learning and development.  Staff have a good understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and how to report any concerns about a child's welfare.  Children are cared for in a safe, welcoming and homely environment. Consequently, they are confident, happy and settled.

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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 a record of the hours of children's attendance is maintained consistently, particularly their departure time.

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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

 enhance opportunities for children to access books and materials to make marks in the outdoor area, to further support their early reading and writing skills  strengthen the arrangements for children to clean their hands before snack time, so robust hygiene procedures are followed at all times.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure a daily record of the hours of children's attendance is maintained (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure a daily record of the hours of children's attendance is maintained (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector toured the premises and observed children and staff in the playroom and the outdoor area.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held a meeting with the manager.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and the qualifications of staff working with children and discussed the provider's improvement plan.  The inspector looked at a selection of children's records, planning documents and policies.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.

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who attend. This is good

The well-qualified and experienced staff team are confident in their teaching. They give children plenty of time and space to explore and investigate freely, so they develop independence in their learning. Consequently, children develop their imagination and critical thinking skills. For example, they make potions in the mud kitchen and confidently use rhyming words as they pretend to cast spells. Staff read stories with expression and encourage children to make up alternative versions to popular rhymes. This encourages children to develop good listening and thinking skills. Indoors, staff provide rich opportunities for children to use books for reference and to make marks for a purpose in their play. However, this is not always extended to the outdoor area, to further excite and inspire children's learning. Staff provide and request a range of information from parents and actively involve them in their child's learning and development. This information is

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who attend. This is good

used effectively to plan learning opportunities. This includes targeted activities for those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. This means every child makes good progress.

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requires improvement

Overall, the manager ensures staff work cohesively to support children's safety and well- being. Children's arrival and departure is supervised effectively. However, staff do not always record the time children leave the premises in the attendance register. Children and parents know who their key person is. This means strong relationships are established and children are happy, settled and emotionally secure. Children are supported well in learning to behave responsibly. Consequently, they work cooperatively during activities, such as building a den. Children are learning to independently care for themselves; they confidently butter their own crumpet and clear their plates away after snack. This further supports their readiness for school. Children challenge their physical skills as they use a variety of equipment outdoors, such as crawling through a tunnel and balancing on stilts. Children clean their hands before eating their snack. However, the provision of one bowl

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requires improvement

of water for all to use means this is not a thorough and effective process.

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provision requires improvement

The recruitment and vetting of staff are thorough and their ongoing performance is monitored successfully through regular supervision sessions with the manager. Disclosure and Barring Service checks are in place for all staff, and committee members that have been appointed recently. However, the nominated person failed to inform Ofsted of these changes to the committee, which is also a breach of the Childcare Register. This was due to a failure in completing the correct documentation. Self-evaluation includes the views of all service users. It accurately identifies what is working well. Children's progress is monitored effectively. Consequently, any gaps in their learning are identified and addressed quickly. All staff are committed to attending further training and successfully implement this in practice, to enhance the outcomes for children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 400457 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 868882 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 21 Name of provider Wheatcroft Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 23 September 2009 Telephone number 01723 363179

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Setting details

Wheatcroft Playgroup was registered in 1992. It employs four members of childcare staff including the manager. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and the manager has Early Years Professional status. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday, from 8.30am until 1pm during term time only. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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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