Soham PlaygroupOfsted inspection, 12 Nov 2015

Soham Playgroup The Weatheralls Cp School, Pratt Street, Soham, ELY, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5BH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 November 2015 19 June 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Leadership and management continue to be weak. The provider has failed to make Ofsted aware of recent changes to committee members in a timely manner. Suitability checks have not been completed promptly.  Occasionally, staff do not make the most of all opportunities to extend children's curiosity and to encourage them to think more deeply about why things happen.  Staff have not explored further ways to reflect the home languages of children who speak English as an additional language in everyday activities.

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It has the following strengths

 Children enjoy their time in a well-resourced and interesting learning environment. They make good progress in their learning. A good range of activities covers the seven areas of learning and is tailored to the children's individual stages of development.  Staff consistently manage children's behaviour well to help them develop an understanding of right and wrong. Children are polite and friendly, and are learning to take turns and share.  Parents are supported with their children's ongoing learning and well-being.  The playgroup staff assess and minimise risks successfully. They are aware of the local safeguarding procedures and their responsibilities to protect children from abuse and neglect.  Observation, assessment and planning are effective and appropriate next steps in children's learning are identified. Children are motivated and eager to learn, and are making good progress in readiness for school.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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Due Date

 implement an effective system to check the suitability of new members of the committee, including obtaining enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks and submitting the information to Ofsted in a timely manner. 02/12/2015

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 extend opportunities for children to develop their thinking skills and to experiment and to explore their own ideas  extend opportunities for children who speak English as an additional language to use and value their home language during their play.

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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's deputy.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager and chair of the management committee. 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.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The management committee continues to demonstrate a poor understanding of its roles and responsibilities under the Early Years Foundation Stage. There has been minimal improvement since the last inspection. The provider has again failed to inform Ofsted of changes to the members of the committee. Furthermore, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks have not been obtained for all new members of the committee and forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. Staff have an overall awareness of child protection procedures. However, safeguarding is ineffective due to the persistent weaknesses in leadership and management. The playgroup's qualified manager has implemented recommendations from the last inspection. Staff meetings and regular supervisions ensure that staff are supported and their practice is monitored. Ongoing training is valued and cascaded through the staff team. Parents value the setting.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are cared for in a stimulating learning environment. Outside play is valued, supporting children who prefer an outdoor learning environment. Effective support is provided for children's language development. Staff naturally join in with children's play, talking with them and helping them speak clearly. Books are regularly read and singing activities are part of everyday sessions. However, staff do not consider introducing different languages into activities when reflecting children's diverse home backgrounds. Children's emerging mathematical understanding is developing. Staff encourage children to count and bring discussions about size into activities. Activities engage children and they spend sustained periods of time immersed in their play. However, occasionally staff do not always skilfully question children or reshape activities to fully extend children's curiosity and thinking skills. The sharing of learning records and daily feedback ensure that

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

parents are involved in their children's learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Continued weaknesses in leadership and management have an adverse impact on children's welfare. Parents are not fully assured of the suitability of those persons legally responsible for the day-to-day operation of the provision. In other respects, transitions into the setting are managed sensitively and in partnership with parents. Ongoing detailed information is gathered from parents, enabling children's emotional needs to be well met. Caring and flexible relationships with key persons provide a secure base from which children learn and develop independence. Children confidently select their own toys and manage their own needs well, relative to their ages. Children hang up their own coats and are learning to wash their hands. Children start to value and understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They have regular opportunities to be active and engage in physical play, and are supported to make healthy food choices.

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Outcomes for children are good

In spite of the weaknesses in leadership and management, staff support children effectively so that all children make good progress. They observe, assess and plan well for the next stage in children's learning and development. Regular assessments show children are making good progress and are well prepared for school. Children's needs are quickly identified and well met.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY390532 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1018064 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 42 Name of provider Soham Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 19 June 2015 Telephone number 07432810688

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Setting details

Soham Playgroup was registered in 2009. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions run daily from 11.45am to 2.45pm, with additional sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 11.30am.

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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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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