Little Fishes Playgroup

Little Fishes Playgroup St Mary's Parish Church, The Green, Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 8NH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 April 2016 5 June 2011

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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

 Experienced and qualified staff demonstrate good teaching with children of different ages. Staff plan a good range of activities to help children develop positive attitudes towards learning. Any gaps in children's learning and development are swiftly identified, shared with parents and quickly acted upon.  Children benefit from a safe, well organised and child-orientated environment which supports their independence. They have access to a wide range of age-appropriate toys and resources that fosters their interests.  The manager and staff are committed to providing a fully inclusive service and this is at the heart of everything they do. Staff work closely in partnership with other professionals to ensure that all children's individual needs are fully met.  The manager and staff evaluate their practice and regularly consult with parents. Staff value parents' views and ideas and consistently act upon them, if necessary, to improve

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The two-way communication with other early years providers that children attend is not yet used to best effect. Staff do not always share enough information with them to enable a fully shared approach to children's learning.  Sometimes, staff are unable to fully build on children's achievements and individual interests outside the setting. This is because parents are not consistently encouraged to share information regarding their children's learning at home.

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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

 strengthen partnership working with other early years providers to fully support and complement children's care and learning experiences  provide more ways for parents to share what they know about their children's learning at home.

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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 spoke to children and staff during the inspection and completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the setting's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. The inspector also looked at children's learning records and sampled policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection. She also took account of the written views of parents provided in questionnaires.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm which is supported by ongoing training. Robust recruitment and induction procedures are used to check that adults caring for children are suitable to do so. The manager provides strong leadership with a clear vision for continuous improvement that is shared by all staff. They work well as a team and staff benefit from the good supervision and training opportunities which help support their continual professional development. Partnerships with parents are strong. They comment positively on how approachable and caring staff are and how much their children enjoy attending the setting.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Teaching is good. Staff carry out observations of children as they play. Their assessments support detailed planning to ensure activities are matched to children's individual needs and next steps in learning. All children are eager to join in with the activities. For example, younger and older children are captivated and listen attentively to the exciting stories that staff enthusiastically read. Children are encouraged to recall events and accurately describe what happens during the life cycle of a caterpillar, demonstrating their good understanding. Good opportunities are provided for children to develop their early writing skills and express their creativity. They learn to copy letters of their name and use their imagination well to create pictures of butterflies. Children show their curiosity as they learn about worms and insects. They investigate using magnifying glasses and notice the changes with awe and wonder as they discover the natural world.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about each other's similarities and differences in a positive way, helping them feel confident and valued. Staff place a strong focus on supporting children's personal, social and emotional development. They provide good levels of support and key persons work effectively with children in small groups. This enables both the staff and children to build strong, trusting relationships. Children behave well. They settle quickly and feel safe, secure and confident. Staff are good role models of positive behaviour and children follow their lead. They regularly provide praise and encouragement which help promote children's self-esteem. Children learn about good hygiene routines and staff foster children's independence and ability to take care of their own needs well. Children are provided with a variety of healthy snacks. They have regular access to the outdoor play area and develop great physical skill and relish being active in the fresh air.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children thrive in this fully inclusive setting and make good progress in all aspects of their learning. Young and older children display good communication skills. They count confidently from a young age and show good writing abilities. All children are developing good knowledge, skills and attitudes to learning. They are prepared well to start school and are well equipped to make the transition when the time comes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 254465 Local authority Walsall Inspection number 854858 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 24 Number of children on roll 46 Name of provider Annette Cook Date of previous inspection 5 June 2011 Telephone number 01922669922/07796108411

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Setting details

Little Fishes Playgroup registered in 1996. It opens three days a week during term time only. Sessions times are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9.30am to midday and Monday from 12.30pm to 3pm. The setting provides funded early education for three- and four- year-old children. There are six staff employed to work with the children. All of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above.

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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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