Three Bears Playgroup

Three Bears Playgroup Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 2ES

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 June 2015 11 May 2010

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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 key-person system is strong and works well in practice. Each key person is paired with a buddy who will take over their group and pass on information if they are not present. Staff plan with their buddies once a week. They identify where there are gaps in children's learning and plan activities to ensure that children make progress.  The playgroup benefits from having a strong manager who is forward thinking and inspired. She leads a group of staff who are enthusiastic and totally dedicated to providing high-quality learning experiences for children. They are eager to share information about their key children and are proud when children achieve their goals.  Children are developing wonderful imaginations which they use within their play. They pretend to be a combined harvester, rolling their arms to cut down the wheat. Other children collect wild flowers and herbs, which they place into a mixing bowl to make

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This provision is good

'smelly spells'.  Planning stems from children's interests. For example, staff develop a football game to support children's physical development. Children pretend to be in a football team as they dribble the ball around cones, score a goal and throw the ball from the side lines.  Children who speak English as an additional language or who are from other cultures or backgrounds are fully valued and integrated in the playgroup. Barnaby the playgroup bear goes home with the children so that parents can teach him about their lives at home and the festivals they celebrate. They send in photographs of him to share with children, so they learn more about each other.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always identify and compare the progress made by different groups of children, so they can make sure all groups make the best possible progress.

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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

 develop further the use of the tracking system to identify how specific groups of children are learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning, both indoors and outside.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and looked at relevant documentation including evidence of the suitability of staff to work in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to parents and children and took account of their views.

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who attend. This is good

Children make good progress in this stimulating and welcoming playgroup in readiness for school. They rush excitedly into the group and immediately become engrossed in the activities set out for them. They thoroughly enjoy making their own play dough. They measure the ingredients and experiment as they add yellow and blue food colouring to turn it green. The setting is organised well to ensure that all children's individual learning needs are met. The manager takes small groups of children to take part in specific activities to encourage them to develop communication and concentration skills. Children benefit from time spent outdoors. They plant and grow vegetables and fruit to eat at snack time. Staff have innovatively planted the beans in a see-through container to enable the children to see the roots and stems and measure them as they grow. They are beginning to understand the differences between vegetables and weeds. Children know

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who attend. This is good

that they have to pull weeds up by the roots so it kills them and they do not come back. A half-termly newsletter provides parents with ideas of activities to support children's learning at home. Children are well prepared for their move to school. Staff meet with staff at schools the children are moving to and share information with them.

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good

Behaviour is good. There are clear strategies and props in place to help children to understand the routines of the day. For example, staff clap a rhythm, which children join in with, to signal when activities will change or it is tidy up time. Children's self-esteem and confidence are promoted well. Staff are always on hand to offer support and join in children's games when requested. Children are beginning to understand about healthy eating and how to keep their bodies healthy. Staff talk to them about the importance of having a drink after the have exercised or been outside. Gino the toy giraffe goes home with the children to take part in cooking activities. This helps the playgroup find out about children's favourite recipes.

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provision is good

Staff are highly qualified and this has a positive impact on children's learning. The manager has introduced in-house training sessions to encourage staff to play with, and explore new and existing activities and resources. They discuss how activities can be extended to enhance children's learning. All staff are fully aware of their role in protecting the children in their care. They are able to recognise types of abuse and can clearly say what they would do if they had a concern about a child. The manager regularly observes staff as they work with the children in order to further improve on the good practice. Although the manager regularly checks children's progress, she does not always compare progress made by different groups of children, so any emerging gaps can be addressed quickly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY300030 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 861712 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 58 Name of provider Kesgrave Three Bears Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 11 May 2010 Telephone number 01473 635255

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Setting details

Three Bears Playgroup was registered in 2004. The playgroup employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including two with Early Years Professional status or Qualified Teacher Status. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday term-time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3.30pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting supports children who have 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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