Little Rascals Playgroup

Little Rascals Playgroup 114 Queenborough Road, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3DA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 September 2016 22 October 2012

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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

 Children form close relationships with the staff and other children. Staff sensitively support every child's personal needs, which helps children to develop high levels of emotional well-being.  Staff know their children well and have a good knowledge of the next steps in their learning. They plan a range of opportunities which encourages children to be active learners. Children make good progress.  Parents are fully involved in their children's learning. For example, staff share information regarding children's progress and next steps in learning, offering suggestions to help parents support their children's learning at home.  Staff are organised well and effectively supervise children in all areas of the playgroup. Children freely explore the resources on offer.  There are good links with the local school and other professionals, to help provide continuity in children's learning and care.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always fully support children to make connections between numbers and quantity to further develop their mathematical learning.  Sometimes, children do not have enough time to think through and respond fully to questions that staff ask.

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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

 increase the opportunities for children to extend their understanding of mathematical language  build further on opportunities for children to increase their ability to think through and solve problems for themselves.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, which included children's learning and development records, staff qualifications, training and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with one of the managers.  The inspector spoke to parents and carers, and read letters of recommendation to gain their views about the service they receive.  The inspector observed play activities and routines in the main room and outdoor areas.  The inspector held discussions with the managers about their self-evaluation procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Managers and staff understand their role in safeguarding children and know how to respond to any concerns they may have about a child's welfare. They ensure children are safe. For example, staff effectively teach children how to identify and manage risks for themselves. Safeguarding is effective. Managers demonstrate a clear understanding of their responsibilities and regularly monitor and evaluate the quality of provision. They have good procedures to support staff. For example, they provide regular opportunities for coaching and support, and encourage staff to undertake training to improve their knowledge and skills. This helps to ensure that the quality of teaching continues to be good. Managers monitor staff assessments of children's development. Any gaps in learning are identified quickly and additional help provided to help children catch up.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make good use of observations and assessments of children's play to plan for the next steps in their learning. They provide a wide range of resources and opportunities for children to practise their early writing skills in their play. For example, children use water to make marks on walls and make lists in the garden with paper, clipboards and pens. Managers and staff successfully help children to develop their awareness of the world around them. For example, staff provide good opportunities for children to learn about their local community. They arrange for different organisations, such as the fire brigade to visit the children in the playgroup. Staff offer children a variety of opportunities to investigate and experiment with different materials.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about good hygiene routines and healthy lifestyles. They enjoy investigating the outdoors and have plenty of opportunities to practise and develop their physical skills. Managers and staff are good role models. Children's behaviour is good and appropriate for their age. They learn to share and take turns. For example, they let their friends join in with their puppet show play. Staff help children to be independent and praise their achievements and attempts, such as when children learn to control their movements to pour their drinks at snack time.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. Children develop good social skills and are eager to assist staff and friends to complete manageable tasks. For example, they help at snack and tidy-up time. Children have many opportunities to develop their senses. For example, they explore materials on a 'tactile' wall and engage with a range of tools to create different structures in the sand. Children acquire the skills needed for the next stage in their learning and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127338 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1058741 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Janice Birchmore and Joyce Harland Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 October 2012 Telephone number 01795 667 075

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reference number

Little Rascals Playgroup opened in 2000. It is located halfway between Minster and Queenborough in Sheerness, Kent. It is open each weekday from 9am to 1pm, during term time only. The playgroup receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are four members of staff, all of whom hold a level 3 childcare 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

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