St Joseph's Preschool & Playgroup (Harrogate)

St Joseph's Playgroup 281 Skipton Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 3HD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 November 2015 19 June 2013

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of a change to committee members. This means that Ofsted are unable to complete appropriate checks to verify the suitability of all people involved in the management of the setting.  Systems to monitor and improve staff's performance are not yet sharply focused enough on improving teaching to the highest levels.  Staff do not always provide the best possible opportunities to promote children's mathematical skills.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are confident and eager to explore and learn. They develop positive relationships with staff, who playfully engage with them to extend their learning.  Children benefit from a well-planned environment that is bright, vibrant and well resourced. Staff recognise children's interests and cater for them well. Children become absorbed in learning as they confidently lead their own play.  Staff are dedicated and ambitious. They use self-evaluation well, to identify weaknesses in practice and drive improvement. Feedback is obtained from parents and children's views are regularly obtained to support evaluation procedures. This ensures that planned developments meet the needs of those who attend.  Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff regularly exchange information with parents and use this to help plan for children's learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that Ofsted are provided with details of all committee members so that all required checks can be completed to verify suitability. 25/12/2015

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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

 develop improved methods to monitor and extend staff's teaching skills  provide children with increased opportunities to develop their mathematical skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector looked at children's records, evidence of the suitability of staff and a sample of documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and held a meeting with her to discuss the setting's self-evaluation form.  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 requires improvement

The provider has failed to inform Ofsted of the appointment of new committee members. This is a breach of legal requirements and means that Ofsted are unable to complete necessary suitability checks. However, all members of the committee have been vetted through Disclosure and Barring Service checks. They do not have unsupervised access to children and are not responsible for recruiting staff. This means that the failings do not have a significant impact on children's welfare. Procedures to recruit staff safely are stringent and the arrangements for safeguarding are effective. For example, staff are trained well in child protection procedures and are confident about how to report concerns. They implement effective procedures to maintain a safe and secure environment. Staff are trained and supervised well. This means that they are suitably equipped to delivery good quality learning experiences for children. Procedures to monitor

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

staff's performance are not yet fully robust. Therefore, they are not yet rigorous enough to help further raise the quality of teaching.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use observation and assessment well to monitor children's progress. They work closely with parents to find out about children's achievements at home and use the information effectively to direct their teaching. Children have access to a wide range of resources that can be used in a variety of different ways. For example, children build bonfires using bricks and wood. Staff extend the activity well by helping children to recall their own experiences and play imaginatively. However, they occasionally miss opportunities to extend children's mathematical skills. There is a strong focus on supporting children to develop language and communication skills. Staff speak clearly and ask a wide range of questions to help children to express their thoughts. This helps to supports all children's language and communication, including those who speak English as an additional language.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The weaknesses in leadership and management mean that not all of the welfare requirements are promoted effectively. However, children are very confident and build strong relationships with staff, who know them well. Children behave well and are polite and respectful to others. Their physical well-being is promoted through opportunities to be physically active and play outdoors. Children wash their hands and serve themselves snack. These help them to gain self-help skills and promote their independence. Staff have developed strong links with other settings. For example, staff invite teachers to visit the setting to observe and find out about children's learning needs prior to starting school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are independent and eager to explore and learn. They make good progress from their starting points. All children develop key skills in communication, language, and personal and social development. These help to prepare them in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 400342 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 1028479 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 20 Name of provider St Joseph's Playgroup (Harrogate) Committee Date of previous inspection 19 June 2013 Telephone number 07792 657808

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Setting details

St Joseph's Playgroup was registered in 1986. The setting employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 12 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9am to 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The setting supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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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