St Thomas' Playgroup

St Thomas's Playgroup St Thomas's Church, Monsell Road,Islington, London, N4 2QY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 July 2015 20 June 2011

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3

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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3

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 provider has failed to notify Ofsted about changes to the committee to ensure all members undergo the appropriate checks. This means that children's safety and welfare are not fully promoted. This breach relates to the associated requirements for the Childcare Register.  Staff do not always promote children's independence skills relative to their age during daily routines.

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It has the following strengths

 The quality of teaching is good. Staff observe children's learning and plan meaningful activities taking into account their interests. The manager effectively oversees children's progress to identify and close any gaps in their learning and development.  Children develop secure relationships with their key person and other staff due to their warm and caring natures. As a result, children generally enjoy their time at the playgroup and settle well.  Management implements suitable recruitment procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings to support their practice.  Safeguarding procedures are clear and staff are aware of how to report any welfare concerns. Committee members have attended safeguarding training, which helps to keep children safe.

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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 practise their self-care and independence skills, particularly during daily routine tasks.

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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

 inform Ofsted of the names, dates of birth, addresses and telephone numbers of members of the management committee (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playgroup and in the outside space.  The inspector spoke to members of staff at appropriate times during the inspection and held a meeting with the manager and the chair of the management committee.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning documents, evidence of the suitability of staff and a range of policies and procedures.

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who attend. This is good

Staff provide a good range of activities to promote children's learning and development across the areas of learning. They ensure there is a good balance of activities, which children can freely choose from, as well as those led by adults. This encourages children to be independent learners. Staff ask suitable questions and encourage children to talk and share their ideas, which helps to promote their language development and thinking skills. For example, staff encourage children to consider what will float and sink during water play outside. Staff work closely with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to ensure all children make progress relative from their starting points on entry. Staff prepare children effectively for their move to school. For example, by displaying information about their future school and teaching them a special song for their 'graduation' ceremony. Staff regularly exchange information about children's

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who attend. This is good

achievements with parents and encourage their positive contributions to assessments.

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requires improvement

Staff create a safe and welcoming environment. However, due to the breach of the safeguarding requirement, children's safety cannot be fully assured. Staff provide a variety of resources and suitably plan the large outside space to promote children's free choice during play. Staff teach children healthy and safe practices, such as washing hands before eating, and children enjoy nutritious meals. Children enjoy managing small tasks, such as setting the table, and staff promote their self-help skills at lunchtime. However, opportunities to develop children's independence during mealtimes are missed. For example, children are unable to serve their own drinks because containers are too heavy for them. Children play cooperatively together because staff set clear boundaries around acceptable behaviour.

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provision requires improvement

The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the committee members to ascertain their suitability. However, committee members do not have unsupervised access to children and any planned meetings are held in a separate room away from the children. Therefore, the impact on children's safety is minimal. The manager has considered ways of improving the playgroup and has identified areas for further development, such as extending the use of sign language to promote communication skills. The manager encourages staff to develop their knowledge by attending training and working towards qualifications. This has had a positive impact on the quality of teaching the children receive. For example, training on care for two-year-old children has led to changes to the book corner and sandpit area by making them more accessible for younger children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 131742 Local authority Islington Inspection number 836323 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 26 Name of provider St Thomas's Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 20 June 2011 Telephone number 02073549347

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Setting details

St Thomas's Playgroup registered in 1994. It operates from a church hall in Finsbury Park, in the London Borough of Islington. The playgroup is open from 9.15am to 3.15pm on Monday to Wednesday, and from 9.15am to 1.15pm on Thursday and Friday. The provider is in receipt of funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The provider employs six members of staff. All staff hold relevant early years qualifications and two have achieved Early Years Teacher Status.

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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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