St Thomas' Playgroup

St Thomas' Playgroup St. Thomas's Road Play Group, 75 Monsell Road, London, N4 2EF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 June 2016 6 July 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Enthusiastic, greatly experienced and committed staff ensure that children receive a high quality early education. The learning environment is meticulously well planned and stimulating for all children.  All children make rapid progress in their learning and excel in their development. Staff quickly identify children who may need additional support to close any gaps in their learning. Children are very well prepared for their next stage of education.  Staff teach exceptionally well and support children to become clear communicators and mature thinkers. Children are keen to share their ideas and enjoy taking part in lively and engaging activities across all areas of learning.  Children are taught to be highly independent and staff support them to take pride in their achievements, demonstrating high aspirations for children's accomplishments.  Children are very happy and have strong bonds with their key person. They settle

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This provision is outstanding

quickly and adults support their emotional and physical well-being exceptionally well.  Leadership is aspirational with a clear drive to improve significantly since the last inspection. All previous actions and recommendations have been promptly addressed and all staff have a proactive and reflective attitude to their practice.  Partnerships with parents and other professionals are remarkably strong. Successful collaboration ensures consistency in children's learning and experiences.

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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 further checks on the progress made by different groups of children, to address any gaps in their learning so all continue to make rapid progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching and learning inside and outside.  The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views and experiences of the setting.  The inspector spoke with children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and held a meeting with the provider.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at a sample of the children's learning records, staff observations and planning, and a range of policies and documentation, such as records of staff suitability checks and safeguarding procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Leaders and managers are highly dedicated. They have significantly raised the quality of the provision since the last inspection and the use of self-evaluation processes have enabled the staff to enhance the outcomes for children. Leaders regularly check the quality of staff practice to ensure remarkably high quality teaching. Staff have excellent opportunities to undertake continued professional training to keep their knowledge current, for example, through them becoming expert in their areas of interest. Although the arrangements for individual assessment are excellent, leaders and managers recognise that they could improve how they check the progress made by different groups of children to ensure all continue to make sustained and rapid progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Knowledgeable staff plan an extensive range of highly stimulating activities to meet the needs of children of all ages, inside and outside. Children are consistently engaged in meaningful learning experiences and staff skilfully help to extend their learning. Staff maximise opportunities to introduce new ideas to children. For example, children really enjoyed threading breakfast cereal loops onto spaghetti fixed in modelling materials, to help develop early counting skills and their small muscle control. Staff supported them very effectively by asking a range of questions. Staff reflect in detail on children's learning and share their observations and assessments with parents. Staff know their key children incredibly well and plan what they need to learn next very carefully.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children thrive in the vibrant and highly nurturing environment. Adults support children to become confident and independent and they are curious to investigate the world around them. The key person system is highly effective and children feel secure, settle remarkably quickly and form strong bonds with staff. Children learn about the importance of living a healthy life and staying active. For example, they take part in weekly sports sessions to develop a range skills. Children's behaviour is exemplary at all times. Staff support even the youngest children to develop mature negotiation skills and strong friendships. Children understand what fairness means and how to respect others.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children are motivated to learn. They develop excellent physical skills and become confident and articulate communicators. Children have remarkable imagination. For example, they really enjoy making up and telling stories, which they then put into writing, to develop their early literacy skills. Children benefit from engaging activities that develop their early reading and develop many key skills needed for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 131742 Local authority Islington Inspection number 1021767 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person St Thomas's Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 July 2015 Telephone number 02073549347

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reference number

St Thomas's Playgroup registered in 1994. It is situated in the London Borough of Islington. The playgroup is open from 9.15am to 3.15pm on Monday to Wednesday, and from 9.15am to 1.15pm on Thursday and Friday. The provider is in receipt of funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs six members of staff; of these, five hold relevant early years qualifications. One member of staff has early years teacher status, and four members of staff have a level 3 qualification.

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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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