The Saplings Playgroup

The Saplings Playgroup Barwell Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Street, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8DE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 May 2016 5 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 use observations well to accurately assess children's progress. They plan a range of age-appropriate activities, which reflects children's learning styles and particular interests.  Children are confident and show a strong sense of belonging. They play happily together and behave well. Children are respectful to others and readily take turns with resources.  Comprehensive risk assessments effectively help staff to ensure that the environment is safe and suitable. Any accidents are dealt with appropriately.  Children's independence is promoted well. They enjoy having the responsibility of helping themselves to their snack, pouring their own drinks and clearing away their things when they have finished.  All staff are trained in safeguarding and know how to protect children in their care. They fully understand their role and responsibility if they have a child protection concern.  Staff form positive partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals involved in

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This provision is good

children's development. They share information about children's achievements to maintain continuity in children's learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Mentoring and professional development opportunities for staff caring for the two-year- old children, are not yet rigorous enough to raise the quality of teaching to exceptional levels.  Staff do not always challenge older children sufficiently enough, in order to help them develop their early writing skills to the highest level possible.

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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 mentoring opportunities and continue to focus on strengthening professional development for staff working with two-year-old children, in order to increase the potential to drive the already good quality of teaching even higher  provide even more opportunities for older children to practise and further develop their early writing skills.

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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 pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation form and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  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

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Thorough recruitment and induction procedures help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff supervise children very well and the staff-to-child ratio is maintained at all times. Children receive plenty of attention and care. The manager reflects on staff's practice continually and makes positive changes that improve the outcomes for children. For example, she effectively tracks the progress of groups of children, in order to identify and narrow any gaps in learning. The additional funding received has been used to support communication and language development, and to offer children a wider variety of rich learning experiences. For instance, staff have increased the visual aids available and have enhanced the range of experiences offered to encourage communication. Staff encourage parents to use the 'chatter bags', and to take part in activities with their children at home. This contributes

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

towards further supporting children's good progress. All staff hold a relevant childcare qualification and attend training courses. Overall, this has a positive impact on the good quality of the pre-school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff give considerable thought to arranging the learning environment each day, taking account of children's learning needs. Children have easy access to resources in all areas of the pre-school. They are able to make their own choices and develop their independence skills. Children are enthusiastic, active and eager to learn. They thoroughly enjoy their time at pre-school. Children explore how things work as they press the buttons on the remote control to move the car. They demonstrate a good understanding of mathematical concepts as they talk about direction, such as forwards and backwards. Children creatively make dinosaurs using shape pieces. They know triangles have three points and use these imaginatively to make the scales on the dinosaur's back.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about the natural world. They enjoy making feeders for the birds and other wildlife. They plant seeds and grow fruit and vegetables that they later harvest to eat. Children learn about procedures that keep themselves healthy, such as washing their hands before mealtimes and after outdoor play. Staff promote children's health and well- being. They understand how to manage illness and deliver first aid. Staff actively encourage children to learn about keeping themselves safe from harm. For example, children learn about crossing roads safely on outings.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those with special educational needs or disability, make good progress in their learning. Staff use a range of strategies to assess children's starting points on entry. This means that they can promote children's next steps in learning from the outset. Children's language skills are effectively supported during small-group sessions. They participate in stories and comment on what may happen next. Staff use repetition to support children's developing vocabulary. Children acquire good skills to prepare them well for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY331892 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 1050461 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 26 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Alison Duerden

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 March 2013 Telephone number 077099 50973

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reference number

The Saplings Playgroup was registered in 2006. The provider is also the pre-school manager. She holds early years professional status. The pre-school employs five other members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds a degree level qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Thursday and from 9am until midday on a Friday. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports those with special educational needs or disability.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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