Willow Pre-School Playgroup

Willow Pre-School Playgroup King George V Pavilion, Blackthorne Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 7BJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 September 2015 12 March 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Since the last inspection considerable improvements have been made. Children's behaviour is good and the staff support their learning very well both indoors and outdoors.  The quality of teaching is good. Early writing and mathematical skills are promoted well to help children develop essential skills in readiness for their future learning at school.  The staff skilfully support disabled children and those with special educational needs. They incorporate specialist services' targets into their educational plans for children. As a result, all children make good progress towards the early learning goals.  The key-person system is strong. Children new to the nursery are supported well and settle quickly. They develop a strong relationship with their key person and seek them out for support and reassurance.  Partnerships between parents and the playgroup staff are strong. Parents are extremely supportive of the playgroup. They talk positively about the care and support the staff

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The resources and activities available to children to freely use do not always enable children who are more curious to explore and investigate to the highest level.  On occasion, not all children are given clear messages about how much food is healthy to eat.

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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

 expand even more, the good range of activities freely available for children to explore  provide all children with clear and consistent messages on the importance of a healthy diet.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities both indoors and in the outside play area and talked to the staff and children at appropriate times.  The inspector carried out a joint observation and held a meeting with the playgroup leader.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documents and a range of other documents, including the safeguarding policy and procedure.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children and of the committee members.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and of the playgroup's self- evaluation form.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The playgroup leader and staff have worked hard since the last inspection to improve their practice. Effective systems to monitor staff's practice have been introduced. Staff are supported by a programme of training. They share the new knowledge they gain from training courses at staff meetings. This means that they can further build on and support each other's knowledge and understanding. Staff evaluate all areas of the playgroup life. Parents are asked to give their views through the comment box and questionnaires. Future plans include developing an outdoor growing area to give children opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The leader and staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to protect and safeguard children. Through putting their good written policies and procedures in place, they actively promote children's safety and welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are eager to investigate and enjoy the many experiences available to them both indoors and outdoors. The staff are available in all areas to support and extend their learning. Children playing outdoors pretend to go on an aeroplane. When they talk about being the driver, staff explain the driver is called a pilot. They talks about countries they are visiting and discuss the climate and things they might see. This helps children to learn about the world. Children are eager to explore experiments staff members plan for them. They are curious and think carefully about what they are doing. Staff question them well to help to extend their thinking skills even more. However, when children are choosing their own learning, there are not always the same wide range of opportunities available to them to extend their curiosity and critical-thinking skills to the highest level. The staff assess and identify children's starting points and ongoing development stages well. They

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

regularly share these assessments with parents and encourage them to provide information on what children have been doing and learning at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and confident and enjoy their time at the playgroup. The staff have clear expectations of behaviour and are good role models to the children. Changes to the outdoor area have been implemented exceptionally well. The area is now clear of any hazards which may be a risk to children. The door is open for the whole of the session, children have fun using the mud kitchen and enjoy looking at books with their key person in the sunshine. Children show high levels of independence. They help the staff prepare the table for their healthy snacks. They are given time to use their developing skills to pour their drinks and spread butter on their toast; they are very pleased when they are able to do it for themselves.

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Outcomes for children are good

Information gained from assessments of children's learning is used well to track the progress of all children. The staff have an accurate understanding of children's development to ensure they are well prepared for their next stage of learning at school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 402298 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1009830 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 55 Name of provider Willow Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 12 March 2015 Telephone number 01268 683174

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Setting details

Willow Pre-School Playgroup was registered in 1999. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 12.30pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm, during term time only. The playgroup provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The playgroup support disabled children and those with special educational needs.

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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

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Setting details

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