Bengeo Playgroup

Bengeo Playgroup Bengeo Primary School, The Avenue, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 3DX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 November 2016 17 December 2013

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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

 The quality of teaching is superb. Staff consistently engage children in purposeful learning as they play. They know each child's learning needs and use focused teaching strategies in order to meet them.  Children make excellent progress in their learning. In particular, they overcome difficulties in speaking and listening. Staff put in place specially designed, targeted programmes to help children achieve and reach the expectations for their age.  Staff work very closely with every parent and carer. They offer detailed information to parents on a frequent basis to help them support their children's continued learning at home. Parents speak highly of the staff, the experience they offer the children and the support they provide to the family.  Staff frequently observe children. They use what they see to assist them in making precise plans for how best to help children take the next step in their learning.

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This provision is outstanding

Assessments are exceptionally robust and accurate.  Staff put in place exceptional plans to support the very young children to make the transition from home to group care. They make sure they know about children's previous experience of early years care and education. They send a passport for children to use to help them become familiar with the staff and the playroom after their initial visits, before they begin attending regularly.  The manager monitors the effectiveness of the team and regularly evaluates the quality of the practice and provision for children. She has successfully engaged a wide range of people in this process, including parents, children and other professionals.  The partnerships with other agencies are excellent. Staff work closely to support families and ensure they get access to the services and that any additional support programmes are implemented in the playgroup.

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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

 build on the already excellent teaching across the team, helping all staff to deepen their underpinning knowledge of early years practice.

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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 manager.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including policies, children's progress records and the evidence of the suitability of the staff. She also discussed the playgroup's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The well-qualified team works together seamlessly. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff attend regular child protection training. They confidently explain the possible indicators that children may be at risk of harm. Robust recruitment and induction procedures are followed to the letter. This helps the manager to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and have the necessary skills and dedication she requires. Staff attend regular supervision meetings where they reflect on their practice and review children's progress. The team acknowledges the potential to deepen its understanding of children's learning and early years practice in order to raise the quality of the teaching to an even higher level. The manager closely monitors the effectiveness of each member of staff. She uses a variety of challenging evaluation tools to ensure high standards are maintained and that they retain the commitment to improvement.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children are very busy in the playgroup. They are extremely enthusiastic about their learning and are eager to join in. Staff are highly effective as they promote children's enjoyment of books and storytelling. They use expressive voices and make sure each child in a small group has the opportunity to participate. Exciting activities, like digging for baubles in the earth, stimulate children's thinking skills and their imagination. They explore the soil and the effect of the frost on how it looks and feels. Staff offer every child valuable opportunities to hear and use new words. They listen attentively and ask highly appropriate probing questions. This provides children with excellent chances to share what they know and to think deeply. Children are motivated to experiment with materials during creative activities. They are thoroughly delighted with what they make.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children behave very well throughout the sessions. Staff use highly effective strategies to help children feel calm and in control. Children explain how their relaxation exercises help them to feel peaceful. Children have excellent opportunities for learning outdoors. Staff ensure all areas of learning are provided across the playgroup. Staff's responses to children's thoughts and ideas help them feel valued for the choices they make. During discussions, children show their understanding about being active and eating well, and how this makes them healthy and strong. Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and of feeling secure. The very effective key-person relationships are well developed. They contribute significantly to children's sense of belief in their own abilities. They have a real have a go attitude to the challenges they face.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their individual starting points. These are clearly identified at the earliest opportunity and are the basis for building skills and attainment. Children are very well prepared for future learning in nursery and school. They show their enthusiasm for mathematics as they use descriptive words to explain the size of objects, shapes and quantities. They are keen to make marks and develop skills, such as holding pencils correctly, to help them begin the early stages of writing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY463998 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1066959 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Bengeo Playgroup Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 December 2013 Telephone number 01992 304 477

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reference number

Bengeo Playgroup was registered in 2013. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff, eight of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.15pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two- and three-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

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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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