Soham Playgroup

Soham Playgroup St. Andrews C of E Junior School, Sand Street, Soham, ELY, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5AA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 May 2016 7 June 2010

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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 demonstrate a genuine passion for their roles. They enthusiastically attend training and talk knowledgably about how their learning has had a positive impact on children's experiences and progress.  Children benefit from the good teaching demonstrated by all staff at the playgroup. Staff readily join children as they play, helping them to work things out for themselves, develop skills and learn from their experiences. For example, children find ways to make a magic wand to complete their dressing up costume.  The settling-in arrangements are highly effective in supporting children to separate from parents for the first time. Parents share a wealth of knowledge about children's preferences and development which means children's learning is effectively planned from the start.  The committee, manager and staff take full responsibility for the monitoring and evaluation of the provision they provide for children. Parents are consulted with

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This provision is good

regularly and overall action plans are targeted securely on improving children's outcomes.  Staff provide a stimulating, well-resourced environment, both inside and out. Activities support children's development in all areas of learning and are sufficiently engaging to promote good concentration skills by all.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not fully organise all group activities to maximise children's learning opportunities across the age ranges and abilities.

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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

 enhance the planning of group activities, to support the best possible progress in children's learning.

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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 completed a joint observation with the playgroup manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager and deputy. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the playgroup's self-evaluation 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. Staff are vigilant about the security of the premises and are well aware of local procedures to follow if they have concerns about children. The staff team is well established and shares the manager's dedication and determination to improve the provision. Professional management procedures are robust and targets for individual staff members focus securely on improving teaching skills. The manager has a good overview of children's progress and has stringent measures in place to identify those at risk of falling behind. Interventions to support children are timely and have a positive impact on their development. Partnerships with other providers are established and support information sharing especially well when children transfer to nursery.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

From the moment parents leave, children are busy and confident to follow their own interests. They happily play with friends, pretending to pour tea and serve food at imaginary tea parties or join staff in more focused activities. Children especially enjoy exploring everyday resources, such as large deconstructed cardboard boxes. Their thinking skills are promoted well as staff encourage them to consider how to make the boxes more stable and stand up firmly. Children are able to identify and match shapes as they play with puzzles. They talk about objects being bigger or smaller and count how many they have. Children's early literacy skills are encouraged as they identify their name cards when first arriving. Children communicate well, including those learning English as an additional language. Staff use a good range of strategies to embrace children's different backgrounds and celebrate the languages spoken.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Parents are valued partners at the playgroup. They readily share information about children's learning at home and are pleased to receive information about children's ongoing progress. Children's health is well promoted as they enjoy plenty of fresh air and continue their learning outside. Suitable precautions are taken by staff to keep children safe in hot weather which in turn, helps children to understand about their own safety. For example, children wear sun hats outside. All children demonstrate positive behaviour as they play and learn together. They follow routines well and listen carefully to staff.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are prepared well for their move to nursery. They learn to separate from parents and develop the independence needed to support them in the future. Children show they can concentrate on activities and are content to keep trying with their chosen tasks. Overall, they have very enjoyable experiences at playgroup that encourage them to be inquisitive and develop a love of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY389687 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 859210 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 25 Number of children on roll 46 Name of provider Soham Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 7 June 2010 Telephone number 07549161864

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Setting details

Soham Playgroup was registered in 1990. The playgroup employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The playgroup opens Monday to Thursday, from 9am until 11.30am, term time only. Additionally on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday there is an afternoon session from 11.45am until 2.45pm. 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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