Leading Strings Playgroup

Leading Strings Playgroup St. John's Church Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London, N13 4DA

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 December 2016 25 February 2016

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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

 The effective management team have made positive changes since the previous inspection and addressed all the actions and recommendations. They have improved outcomes for children. Managers regularly review the provision and consider parents' and children's views in making improvements.  Staff understand how children learn and develop. They regularly review children's progress and plan exciting activities, which enthuse children and spark their curiosity. All children make good progress.  Children relate well to each other and to the staff around them. They are polite and develop good social skills.  Children benefit from regular physical exercise indoors and outside. They gain a good understanding about the benefits of having a healthy diet.  Partnerships with parents, schools and other professionals are well established. These provide children with continuity in care and learning, which helps to promote their

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff do not provide children with enough time to think and answer questions. Sometimes, questions staff ask do not fully extend children's thinking skills.  Sometimes, staff do not use all opportunities to encourage older children to practise their writing skills, such as forming recognisable letters in preparation for school.

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

 give children more time to think before providing them with ideas or resolutions to problems to extend children's thinking skills further  use more opportunities to help older children practise writing skills, such as forming recognisable letters in readiness for the move to school.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability to work with children and read some of the provider's policies and procedures.  The inspector looked at some documentation relating to observations, planning, employment and registration records.  The inspector observed activities indoors and outside and held conversations with the managers, staff, some parents and some children.  The inspector completed a joint observation with one of the managers.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management team maintain thorough recruitment procedures and ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff have a good awareness of how to keep children safe and ensure their welfare. The managers monitor staff performance, for example, through regular supervision meetings and daily discussions. Staff are well-qualified reflective practitioners, who are eager to develop their knowledge and skills. The recent emphasis on the quality of teaching and range of activities provided has raised children's levels of attainment since the last inspection. Parents report that they are happy with the services provided and how their children progress.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use effective teaching methods to support children. They plan carefully for children's individual learning needs following their current interest. For example, when children show interest in winter, staff set up snow activities. Children enjoy playing with a wide range of good-quality toys and materials. For example, they learn how to make playdough, build towers with wooden blocks and ride tricycles. Staff support children's language and communication. They focus strongly on helping children who learn English as an additional language to close any gaps in their communication skills. Children who are eligible for the free early years education funding are supported well to make good progress. Staff ensure that any gaps in their learning and development are addressed.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The nursery is a welcoming and relaxing place. Children fully enjoy themselves and explore with confidence. The key-person system is established effectively. Staff help each child to settle smoothly and work with their parents. They have a good understanding of children's needs and interests. Children feel safe and secure. Staff are good role models to children. They interact with children in a calm and respectful manner. Children learn about wider community and celebrate different festivals. Children's behaviour is good.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who learn English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points. Children are independent learners and enjoy making their own decisions. They are confident to share their thoughts and gain necessary skills for their future learning. For example, children practise their mathematical skills during activities indoors and outside.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 135311 Local authority Enfield Inspection number 1041803 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Sandra Bennett and Tina Eaves Partnership

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 February 2016 Telephone number 07516 452392

p.4

reference number

Leading Strings Pre-School registered in 1996. It is located in Palmers Green, in the London Borough of Enfield. The pre-school is open each weekday from 9am to 3pm during school term time. The nursery is funded to provide free early years education to children aged three and four years. The provider employs four staff, all of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 and above. One of the managers holds early years professional status and qualified teacher status and the deputy manager also holds qualified teacher status.

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