Soham Playgroup

Soham Playgroup Soham Childrens Centre, Weatheralls School Site, Pratt Street, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5BH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 May 2016 12 November 2015

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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

 Self-evaluation is embedded in practice at the playgroup. Staff, committee and parents collaborate their ideas to inform targeted action plans for improvement. This has been especially effective in identifying ways to strengthen the committee knowledge and has helped them to begin to work as one to improve the provision.  Staff value the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills. They attend training which is well targeted in helping them improve outcomes for children and continually reflect on their learning to bring about change. Ultimately, children's good progress is evidenced due to staff's enhanced awareness and understanding.  All staff demonstrate a good awareness of how children learn through play. Teaching is consistently good and supports all children to develop the skills of an independent and inquisitive learner.  Support for children who have special educational needs or disability is especially

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This provision is good

strong. Staff working with individuals are skilled in their roles and enable children to access play and learning to suit their individual needs. Partnerships with outside professionals are highly effective and contribute to the good practices for sharing information between everyone concerned.  Staff are particularly skilled at providing a nurturing environment where children thrive and grow in confidence. Strong and trusting emotional bonds are evident between staff and children who play and learn happily together.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although partnerships with parents are good, current strategies to engage them with children's learning at home have been less successful.

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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 partnerships with parents and find innovative ways to encourage them to share information 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 completed a joint observation with the playgroup manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager, the deputy manager and committee members. 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 number 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 knowledgeable about child protection issues and how to report their concerns. Since the last inspection, the committee has embraced their responsibilities and has taken steps to ensure that all individuals are suitable for their roles. Background checks have been carried out and Ofsted has been informed of all members. Furthermore, the committee have undergone training to improve their knowledge of the early years requirements and are proactive in supporting the manager to monitor practice. Recruitment procedures for staff are robust and ensure only the best are employed at the playgroup. Professional management systems are in place and are effective in enhancing teaching, knowledge and skills of all staff. The manager is diligent in her monitoring of children's progress. Gaps in development are quickly identified and those at risk of falling behind are supported

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

effectively to bring about swift improvements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children thoroughly enjoy playing and learning at playgroup. They confidently find their own toys and demonstrate good concentration skills as they engage in their chosen activities. Staff are skilful and use a variety of strategies to effectively promote children's learning as they play alongside. Children learn to work things out for themselves and are encouraged to keep trying with their chosen task. When gentle guidance is needed, children learn quickly. For example, children watch and listen carefully to staff and are soon able to successfully fit different components together to build toy flowers. Children play with dough and in doing so develop coordination and manipulation skills by using tools, such as cutters and rolling pins. Children communicate well with friends and staff. When necessary, appropriate professional help is sought by staff to ensure all children are able to convey their wants and needs successfully. Those learning English as an additional

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

language benefit from effective strategies implemented by staff. This has been the result of recent targeted training to address recommendations from the last inspection.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and secure at the playgroup. Staff know them exceptionally well and this has a very positive impact on children's general well-being. Behaviour is very good and children respond well to the gentle reminders and guidance consistently given by staff as they play and learn. Children learn to keep themselves from harm when they play outside. For example, children are encouraged to wear sunhats in hot weather and take care when playing with bats and balls. Nutritious snacks are promoted by staff and help children to develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children thoroughly enjoy their experiences at playgroup. They learn to leave parents for the first time, become more independent and make new friends. Children particularly appreciate the freedom to explore new toys and activities. They are inquisitive, busy and keen to learn. When the time comes, children have the skills needed to move confidently to nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY390532 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1033264 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 39 Name of registered person Soham Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 November 2015 Telephone number 07423810688

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reference number

Soham Playgroup was registered in 2009. The playgroup employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 3. The playgroup opens term time only from 9am until 11.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Additionally between Monday and Friday the playgroup opens between 11.45am until 2.45pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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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