Sunnyside Community Playgroup

Sunnyside Community Playgroup Church Hall, Ivy House Lane, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2PP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 January 2016 13 March 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

 Staff undertake training and enhance their knowledge and skills. All staff reflect upon the very positive impact of employing a highly qualified practitioner. The work of the Early Years Professional has supported the playgroup in making significant improvements in teaching, learning and assessment since the last inspection.  Staff use self-evaluation effectively and include parent's and children's views in finding ways that they can improve the playgroup even further. Staff work closely in partnership with other professionals to help meet children's individual needs.  Children develop good communication skills. Staff use a variety of different ways to promote children's speech. They are quick to identify if children do not make expected progress in this area and direct parents to local services for support.  Children take part in daily routines that help to boost their independence. Children are

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This provision is good

clearly pleased to find their names when they register. Children make choices about where they want to play. This contributes towards children's growing confidence in their own abilities and their developing readiness for starting school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children are not always able to find out about how things work because some toys have run out of battery power or are broken.  Staff do not provide enough opportunities for children to play imaginatively.

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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

 provide more opportunities for children to explore technology and find out how things work  provide more opportunities for children to be imaginative and creative.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors, outdoors and at the allotment. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with a member of staff.  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 qualifications and suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector looked at the playgroup's website.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

There are stringent methods for recruiting staff and inducting new committee members. These help to make sure that each person knows their role and responsibilities. Checks are in place to confirm the suitability of those who work and form the committee at the playgroup. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff vigilantly supervise children and maintain a safe environment for them to play and learn in. The staff team works together well. The manager carries out supervisions of their work and reviews the programme of learning for children. Parents have high levels of involvement with the playgroup. They take direct responsibility for the group, as they form the management committee who oversee the work of the staff. The manager and committee review policies and procedures and embed new guidance and legislation into practice effectively.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy their time at the playgroup. Since the last inspection, staff have considerably enhanced the layout of the room and the range of resources and activities on offer for children. All staff deliver good quality teaching. They know children well and their individual likes and interests. Staff have developed planning to more clearly link activities to children's next steps in learning. Parents are actively involved in providing Superstar moments for staff to include in children's learning journals. There is comprehensive tracking in place to help staff to assess children's development and review the activities and quality of teaching at the playgroup. Children enjoy playing inside a den where they take books to look at and have quiet time. Other areas of the hall and outdoor area are set up for more robust, physical play. Staff provide children with pencils and pen dabbers which they use to draw pictures and express their ideas. Staff plan group times where

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children play games, sing songs and rhymes, and enjoy talking with staff and each other.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well. Staff are good role models and children form close attachments to them. If children are unsettled when they arrive, staff provide them with comfort and support. Staff equally welcome parents into the playgroup and work together with them to help children to feel confident and content. Children learn about safety well. Staff help them to understand and be able to recognise small risks, such as stinging nettles and uneven pathways, when walking to the allotment. Staff use the allotment to help children to learn about foods and healthy eating while enjoying fresh air and exercise. They teach children to be tolerant and understanding of each other. This helps to create a cheerful and harmonious environment where children feel ready and willing to learn.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their development. Staff quickly identify any gaps in children's learning and take action to support them in this area, with the support of external professionals. Children acquire all of the essential skills they need to be ready for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129394 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1028151 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 17 Name of provider Sunnyside Community Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 13 March 2013 Telephone number 07935492504

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Setting details

Sunnyside Community Playgroup was registered in 2000. The playgroup employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds Early Years Professional status and all others are qualified at level 3 and above. The playgroup opens Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 12 noon. There is an optional lunch club each day from 12 noon until 12.45pm. On a Friday, the playgroup closes at 12.30pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for 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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