Gingerbread Cottage Playgroup

The Gingerbread Cottage Playgroup Launde Primary School, New Street, Oadby, LEICESTER, LE2 4LJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 October 2015 25 June 2012

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The quality of teaching across the playgroup is exceptional. Staff provide an excellent range of high-quality learning experiences for children, both indoors and outdoors. This means that children are highly motivated, eager to explore and develop a thirst for learning.  Children form exceptional relationships with all staff. As a result, children's individual needs are always met extremely well and they form strong attachments with staff.  Staff are outstanding role models. They talk to the children in a calm and respectful manner. Consequently, children behave very well and are able to manage their own feelings.  The leadership team are highly effective in driving improvement. Staff demonstrate an uncompromising commitment towards achieving exceptional practice in all areas. They recognise the importance of undertaking professional development to enhance their skills even further.  Children's individual needs are exceptionally well met. Staff assess specific needs

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This provision is outstanding

accurately, putting additional support in place if needed. This means that almost all children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, make rapid progress in their learning from their starting points on entry.  Staff maintain excellent partnerships with parents. They are constantly involved in their child's learning and well informed about progress and achievements.

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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

 continue to enhance staff's professional development that increases the potential to maintain the outstanding practice already achieved.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the playgroup's training records, staff meeting minutes and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector looked through a selection of children's learning journeys and progress reports.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views in feedback from the playgroup's own survey.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The management team expertly lead an enthusiastic team who are committed to delivering outstanding provision. They recognise the need to continue staff's professional development in order to maintain the outstanding practice. Staff have high expectations for each child's learning to ensure excellent progress is made from their starting points. Exemplary partnerships with parents and outside professionals ensure all children are supported exceptionally well. Parents are welcomed into the playgroup to join in at story time, parents' evening and regular family trips. This helps to ensure continuity in children's learning is fully promoted. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a secure understanding about what to do if they have any concerns about a child in their care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

The highly qualified team have an excellent understanding of how children learn. They use their knowledge to effectively plan activities that meet children's needs and interests and challenge their learning. During play, staff demonstrate their first-class teaching skills through guiding, explaining and role modelling. Children's communication and language skills are supported exceptionally well. Staff are creative and enthusiastic in their storytelling. They capture the children's attention as they use props to bring the story to life. Staff skilfully use language to enhance children's understanding of the world. For example, during a farm activity, staff talk about the milking shed, combine harvester and apple orchard. This is further extended outside in the garden as children make 'apple mud pies' and ride on the tractors. Planning and assessment arrangements are sharply focused on each child's needs and shared with parents and staff frequently to ensure every child

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are happy and thriving in the playgroup, quickly becoming settled and involved in the activities available to them. Staff place a strong emphasis on building relationships with children and their families from the start. They gather information about each child, which allows staff to know precisely how to meet children's individual needs and to gain support early if required. Staffing arrangements are consistent so children readily seek out staff for comfort when needed. Parents comment that they are extremely happy with the playgroup and feel that the staff know the family and child very well. Children confidently manage their own personal hygiene routines and are developing their independence skills as they wash their hands, pour their drinks and select snacks. This helps children develop their skills in readiness for school.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress in their learning, in relation to their starting points. They are highly motivated and eager to learn. Children communicate confidently and effectively with adults and are kind and caring towards their peers, demonstrating their excellent behaviour. They are extremely independent and show continuous learning in all aspects of their play. As a result, children are very well prepared for the next stage in education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440542 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 854071 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 57 Name of provider Gingerbread Cottage Playgroup Limited Date of previous inspection 25 June 2012 Telephone number 01162711970

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Setting details

The Gingerbread Cottage Playgroup was registered in 1993 and re-registered in 2012. The playgroup employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years degree and one with a higher national diploma in early years. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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