Pavilion Playgroup

Pavilion Playgroup Thorndown School Site, Hill Rise, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 6SP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 February 2016 14 November 2008

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 Staff supervision arrangements and strategies to monitor the quality of their teaching are not good enough to ensure that all children are provided with good quality learning opportunities.  Staff do not make good use of information gained from assessment to provide all children with meaningful learning experiences that fully support the next steps in their development or follow their current interests.  On occasions, children's listening and understanding skills are not promoted well, as they are too distracted by the increased noise levels within the indoor playroom.  Children who learn best outdoors are not always provided with activities and resources that provide sufficient challenge to promote their interest and enjoyment.

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It has the following strengths

 All children, including those with special educational needs and for whom the playgroup receives additional funding, make steady progress in their learning and development.  Children are happy and comfortable in their caring playgroup. Staff treat all children with kindness and respect. Older children explore their surroundings with confidence.  Children are developing some key skills needed for their next steps in learning, such as school. Older children independently use sand timers to self-regulate play and take turns to use equipment.  Staff provide appropriate support for children with special educational needs. They work well with parents and other professionals to identify the children's individual needs and ways to meet these.

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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

 consistently coach and support less experienced staff to improve their knowledge, understanding and skills 09/05/2016

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Due Date

 make better use of information gained from assessment, in order to plan more effectively for individual children to support them to achieve at a good level 11/04/2016

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Due Date

 improve children's opportunities to listen, concentrate and build upon their early communication and language skills. 11/07/2016

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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

 enable children who learn best outside to play, explore and engage in activities that capture their interest and provide challenge and enjoyment during child-initiated play  evaluate staff practice more regularly, in order to consistently raise the quality of teaching.

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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 spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the acting manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the committee chair and acting manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

There have been recent changes to the leadership and management of the playgroup. An experienced and qualified acting manager has been appointed. However, the provider has not considered the impact of the additional duties on the manager's day-to-day role. This is resulting in irregular supervision of staff and inconsistency in the quality of teaching and planning. Most staff hold relevant childcare qualifications. They are encouraged to undertake specific training to meet the needs of individual children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a satisfactory understanding of the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child in their care. Regular checks are undertaken by staff to ensure that risks are minimalised and that children remain safe. Children are adequately supervised throughout the session times. Staff carefully monitor the main entrance at arrival and collection times to ensure that children cannot leave

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Overall, children enjoy their time at the playgroup. Staff join in children's play and, generally, offer support and encouragement. Staff plan a broad range of activities that covers all areas of learning. However, activities are often mundane and do not offer children appropriate levels of challenge. Occasionally, staff act instinctively, carrying out tasks for children that they could take responsibility for themselves. This reduces opportunities for children to develop further independence and self-care skills. Staff engage children in purposeful conversations about past and shared experiences. However, the increased background noise within the main playroom prevents children from making good progress in their communication and language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Generally, staff demonstrate good knowledge of children, including those with special educational needs. Their individual care needs are well known and met by the caring staff. Parents know who their child's key person is and state their children have made progress since starting. Staff gather relevant information from parents to help promote continuity in children's care. Children have regular access to the outdoors and enjoy being physically active. However, children who learn best outside are not adequately supported to follow their own interests and build upon what they know and can do.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children, including those for whom the setting receives additional funding, make reasonable progress in their learning and development. Staff provide appropriate support for disabled children and those with special educational needs. Children develop the basic skills for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 221829 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 854602 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 90 Name of provider Pavilion Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 14 November 2008 Telephone number 01480 462741

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Setting details

Pavilion Playgroup was registered in 1992. The playgroup employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one of these with Early Years Teacher status. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.30pm. 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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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