Noah's Ark Playgroup (Bentley Heath)

Noah's Ark Playgroup (Bentley Heath) St James Church at Bently Heath CE Primary School, Widney Close, Bentley Heath, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 9AS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 June 2016 8 October 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Leadership and management are inspirational. The setting is very well organised. A wide range of documents, policies and procedures helps ensure that children's safety, welfare and learning are promoted at the highest level.  Children make rapid progress from where they started. The curriculum is broad, rich and imaginative. Staff provide children with a range of opportunities to play, explore and learn across all areas of their development.  The management team has a very precise overview of the progress children make. They use the information obtained extremely effectively to ensure that any gaps in children's attainment are negligible and closed swiftly.  The environment is welcoming, vibrant and highly stimulating, both indoors and out. Children demonstrate high levels of excitement about attending and greatly enjoy their time at the playgroup.  Staff are exceptionally kind, friendly and warm. They get to know children and their

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This provision is outstanding

families extremely well. Children form particularly close bonds to staff. They are very happy, settled and content.  Staff find out about and explore children's cultures and languages. Children benefit from a broad range of experiences that helps them to learn about the wider world. Their similarities and differences are highly valued and particularly well supported.  Partnerships with parents, other providers and professionals are excellent. Information about children's care and learning is shared in great detail. Children benefit from receiving all the help and support they need to make the best possible progress.

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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

 continue to develop the use of the outdoor area and increase the potential to maintain children's progress at the highest levels, specifically for those children who prefer to learn outside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside. She 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. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the playgroup's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of the committee members and all those working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Leaders and managers are dedicated and ambitious. They accurately evaluate the playgroup and targets for future development are continually set. Recently, they have identified the potential to continue to enhance the provision for children who prefer to play and learn outdoors, in order to maintain the excellent levels of achievement they have already reached. All staff are highly qualified and this is clearly reflected in their excellent practice. They benefit from a wide variety of opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. This has an exceptionally positive impact on the overall quality of the provision. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Managers and staff have a very secure understanding of child protection issues. This helps to ensure that children are protected from different types of harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff are expert teachers. They carefully provide interesting and exciting activities that inspire and motivate all children to learn. For example, children delight in the innovative opportunities to be creative and use their imaginations. Children make models out of play dough, design cards for Father's Day and pretend they are having a barbecue in the role play area. Staff encourage children to use a range of tools, equipment and props. They encourage children to think about and explain what they are doing to develop their games. This helps to promote their communication and language skills very well. Children also enjoy learning about the natural world and finding out about why things happen and how things work. Staff support their investigations and offer explanations to expand their learning. Children's individual learning needs are exceptionally well met.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children thrive in the nurturing environment. They learn about the importance of living healthy lifestyles. A range of nutritious snacks and drinks is available. Staff talk to children about the benefits of eating well. Staff encourage children to take part in exercise. Children really enjoy the range of physical activities available. They practise their skills in climbing, balancing and jumping in a variety of different ways. Staff teach children to respect each other, the environment and their teachers. Children respond incredibly well to the boundaries and routines of the playgroup. They enjoy the responsibilities of small tasks. Staff are exceptionally positive and encouraging. They ensure all children's achievements are celebrated. Children display high levels of self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children, including children who benefit from funded education, children who speak English as an additional language and children with disability or special educational needs make rapid progress. Children are inquisitive and incredibly eager to learn. They quickly become immersed in activities. Children are confident and independent. They make their own choices about what they want to do, they share their ideas and manage their own care needs. Children's literacy skills are developing exceptionally well. They particularly enjoy stories, singing familiar nursery rhymes and writing their names. Children become highly successful learners that are very well prepared for the eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY277353 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 848623 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 20 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Noah's Ark Playgroup (Bentley Heath)

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 October 2009 Telephone number 01564 772132

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reference number

Noah's Ark Playgroup (Bentley Heath) was registered in 2003. The playgroup employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. This includes two who have qualified teacher status. The playgroup opens on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, during term time. Sessions are from 9.10am until 12.10pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The playgroup supports children with special educational needs or disability and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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

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reference number

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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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