St Mary's Nursery & Preschool – Charlton Kings

St Mary's Playgroup (Cheltenham) Brotherhood Hall, Lyefield Road East,Charlton KIngs,, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 8AU

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 October 2016 7 May 2013

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Staff support children successfully to make good progress in their learning. They track children well to identify and address any gaps in their development quickly.  Children's behaviour is good. Staff are effective role models for the children and they encourage them to be kind and respect each other.  Staff skilfully talk to children about their day and the activities they would like. Children interact well, choose what they want to do and join in activities with enthusiasm.  The manager supervises and monitors staff well. They regularly discuss performance, evaluate sessions and identify how they can maintain good-quality teaching.  Staff have regular opportunities for professional development to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. For example, recent training on forest schools helped staff improve the garden area to develop children's interest in the world around them.  Relationships with parents and carers are good. Regular sharing of information helps

p.1

This provision is good

keep them informed and able to support their children's learning at home. Parents speak highly about the staff and are pleased with how quickly their children settle in.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not take opportunities to help children understand the concept of time, especially when activities change or they need to move on in the daily routines.  Children do not regularly get the chance to take responsibility for tasks they can manage themselves and increase their independence further.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 take every opportunity to help children understand mathematics, in particular about simple concepts of the passage of time  build on children's awareness of undertaking and completing tasks by themselves, in particular with regards to snack times.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and staff interactions with children.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and spoke to the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector checked the evidence of suitability checks and qualifications of staff working with children, and the provider's improvement plan.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records, safeguarding procedures, and written policies and procedures.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding about safeguarding and child protection issues. For example, they know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child, including the indicators of extreme views and behaviours. Staff provide a safe, welcoming environment for children to play safely. The manager tracks and monitors children's progress effectively. She regularly checks the observations staff complete on children and collates this information to help identify and address any gaps in learning. The manager and staff evaluate the quality of the provision successfully and clearly target areas for development. For example, they have increased the opportunities for children to cook and garden. Links with other settings that children attend are strong, which helps support children consistently in their development.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well. They complete detailed observations and assessments to help them identify and meet children's interests and individual needs effectively. Children are motivated and eager to take part in activities. Staff offer many opportunities for children to develop their imaginative skills well. For example, children thoroughly enjoy role play and pretending to mend and fix items as they play outside. Staff encourage children to work well together and devise their own games. For example, children play with trains and build the tracks cooperatively. Staff fully involve children in story sessions and children thoroughly enjoy listening to and retelling familiar stories. Children have good opportunities to develop their literacy skills. For example, staff make sure that they have regular access to a wide range of writing materials and books.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models. They have a calm, caring approach and are quick to talk to children who are standing on their own, to support their emotional needs. Children learn about healthy lifestyles and have regular access to fresh air and exercise. Children who are new to the setting settle extremely quickly into the welcoming environment. Staff reassure children and spend time with them to help them feel confident and happy. This is particularly effective for those children who are learning English as an additional language.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident and eager to learn. They make friends quickly and learn to be kind to each other. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and learn to manage risks successfully, for example, as they play outside using the slide. They develop a secure understanding of mathematics. For example, they weigh and measure ingredients when they make crumble and make shapes from the play dough. Children are well prepared for their next stages in their learning and development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 101598 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1061129 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 - 8 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person St Mary's Playgroup (Cheltenham) Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 May 2013 Telephone number 01242 260080

p.4

reference number

St Mary's Playgroup registered in 1993 and is situated in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The building is accessed via a short ramp. The playgroup opens five days a week from 9am to 3pm, term time only. The group has strong links with Charlton Kings Infant School. The playgroup is in receipt of funding for children aged three and four years. The playgroup employs six members of staff; all hold appropriate early years qualifications.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5