St. Catherine's Playgroup

St. Catherine's Playgroup St. Catherines Community Centre, School Lane, Manchester, Lancashire, M20 6HS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 October 2015 26 September 2013

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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

 The playgroup is extremely welcoming and inclusive. Staff are friendly and nurturing. As a result, children have developed warm relationships with them.  Staff provide a wide variety of experiences for children. They follow children's interests and plan activities, which engage and motivate children in their learning.  Staff complete daily checks of the environment in order to minimise any risk and ensure that children are kept safe from harm.  Staff are good role models for children. They have high expectations. Staff effectively support children to become independent, and take care of themselves.  The playgroup staff build very strong relationships with parents. Parents speak highly of the staff and value the care, learning and support given to their child.  The playgroup is led and managed effectively. Managers have a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and effectively support staff in meeting the needs of

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some staff, occasionally, do not allow children enough time to think, in order to solve problems and respond to questions.  When new procedures are introduced, managers do not routinely check staff's understanding of what is being asked of them, in order to promote consistency and high-quality practice.

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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

 ensure children have time to think critically, solve problems and respond to questions  enhance the monitoring of staff practice to include assessing staff's understanding and consistent implementation of new procedures.

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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 playgroup manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the playgroup's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff can identify the potential signs of abuse and know who they should contact should they have concerns. Managers meet regularly with staff to discuss their role and children's progress. Staff are effectively supported to monitor children's progress, which ensures any gaps in children's learning and development are swiftly identified and addressed. Managers have implemented systems, which allow staff to learn from each other in order to develop their practice further. Managers ensure staff receive ongoing training in aspects of their role and discuss changes, which will improve their practice. The owner and manager are passionate about providing children and their families with the best possible experiences. They regularly seek the views of parents and other professionals when evaluating the playgroup.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. Staff have a good understanding of how young children learn. They regularly observe children's progress and plan a wide range of opportunities to help children take the next steps in their learning and development. Staff introduce new words as children play. They talk to children about what they are doing and ask questions to develop their understanding further. Staff encourage children to make marks and develop their number skills, counting and recognising shapes wherever possible. This helps to prepare children for the next stage in their learning. Staff talk to parents about their child's learning and development. Parents are effectively supported to contribute to their child's learning. Staff give ideas, which help parents to support their child's learning at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy a supportive relationship with the playgroup staff. Children's emotional needs are managed particularly well by their key person, especially during the settling-in stage. This helps children to feel emotionally secure. Staff have high expectations of children. Staff are consistent in their approach to managing children's behaviour. Children understand what acceptable behaviour is and respond well to the positive praise offered by all staff. Staff encourage children to be independent and make choices. They listen to children's views and value their opinions. Children select from a range of healthy snacks which they help to prepare. Staff understand the importance of regular physical activity and plan daily opportunities for children to engage in large physical play outdoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

Staff have a good knowledge of their key children's development. Children are well supported in activities. All children make good progress in their learning and development given their starting points and capabilities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY304659 Local authority Manchester Inspection number 1028727 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 70 Name of provider Lynn Gardner Date of previous inspection 26 September 2013 Telephone number 07983706443

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Setting details

St. Catherine's Playgroup was registered in 2005. The playgroup employs eight members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 12 noon Monday to Friday and 9am until 3pm on Monday and Wednesday. 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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