Mad Hatter's Playgroup

Mad Hatter's Playgroup St Matthews Community Hall, Highfield Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5NZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 March 2016 17 June 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Since the last inspection the manager and staff team have worked hard to improve standards and practice at the setting.  The manager and staff team know children well. They take account of children's interests when planning activities and accurately identify the next steps in their learning. Children's progress is carefully monitored, to ensure they are supported effectively and that any gaps in their learning close quickly.  The experienced and well-qualified manager and staff team provide a well organised, safe and secure learning environment. Children are effectively engaged, highly motivated and eager to learn.  The manager oversees the good teaching practice consistently implemented by her staff team. This ensures that all children are well supported and continue to make good progress in relation to their starting points.  The manager and staff team are good role models, who help children to play well

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This provision is good

together and feel emotionally safe and secure. Their effective input encourages children's good behaviour.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager and staff team do not take every opportunity to fully promote mathematics to the highest level in the environment and in children's play and activities.  Staff do not fully consider ways of helping children to learn about the difference and diversity of the world around them.

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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

 improve opportunities to promote children's mathematical development in the environment and during their play and activities  enhance opportunities for children to learn about the difference and diversity of the world around them.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as, the playgroup's policies and procedures, children's records, the self-evaluation process 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. The manager implements effective recruitment procedures to ensure the suitability of all the staff working with children. The manager and staff have all attended safeguarding training and they fully understand the procedures to follow if they are concerned about any child in their care. There are clear procedures to follow should there be an allegation made against any member of staff. Policies and procedures are reviewed to include any new legislation and these are shared with staff and parents. Self-evaluation is effectively used to identify strengths and areas to develop practice further. The manager gathers the views of staff, parents and children to contribute to the process. The manager uses regular staff meetings, supervisions and appraisals to ensure that staffs' teaching practice remains at a high level and is consistent. Staff have introduced many new processes since the last inspection which have made a

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

big impact on partnerships with parents, the upkeep of children's records and the environment. This has effectively improved outcomes for all children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have considerably enhanced the layout of the room. Children are independent learners and help themselves to what they want from accessible storage containers. In general, staff cover all the areas of learning, with good effect. Staff know children well and provide learning experiences which match the individual preferences and interests of children. For example, children are interested in pirates so the staff hide treasure in the sand ready for them to find and children make their own pirate hats. Observation and assessments are completed effectively to identify the next steps in children's learning. Parents are actively involved in providing information in children's learning journals, such as Wow moments about what children are achieving at home. There is comprehensive tracking in place. This helps staff to assess children's development and review the activities and quality of teaching at the playgroup. Links are established with the other

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

settings in the area and other professionals when working together to support children.

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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. They settle easily and staff encourage children's growing independence well. Staff welcome parents into the playgroup and work together with them to help children become more and more confident. Children learn about safety well. Staff help them to understand and recognise small risks, such as crawling along the beam. Children learn about foods and healthy eating while enjoying fresh air and exercise. Staff teach children to respect and value others. They learn to be patient, share and take turns and, in most instances, gain an understanding of others. This helps to create a harmonious environment where children are eager and motivated to learn.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are progressing well and are prepared for their move to school. Children are inquisitive and eager as they join in activities. They persevere and have a 'can do' attitude to their learning, which helps them acquire key skills for their development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317603 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1018162 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 3 - 3 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 8 Name of provider Catherine Cullen Date of previous inspection 17 June 2015 Telephone number 07969 637586

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Setting details

Mad Hatter's Playgroup was registered in 1991. The playgroup employs two members of childcare staff and a volunteer helper who all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The playgroup opens on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.30am. 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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