The Salvation Army Playgroup

The Salvation Army Playgroup St Thomas Church, Lowther Street, York, YO31 7ND

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 January 2017 Not applicable

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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

 The manager and staff know children's individual interests well. Staff plan a wide range of stimulating activities and experiences, and children are keen to explore and learn. All children make good progress from their starting points.  All staff are good role models for children. They help children to manage their behaviour and understand their feelings. Staff routinely praise the children and children show tolerance and respect for each other.  Partnerships with parents are good. Staff ensure that parents are informed about their children's learning in the setting. Parents speak highly of the staff team and the care their children receive.  The manager reviews all aspects of the playgroup on a regular basis. Together with the staff, strengths and areas for further development are identified. Parents are asked for their thoughts and views, through discussion and questionnaires.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager's supervision of staff does not yet have a strong enough emphasis on raising the quality of teaching to an exceptional level.  Staff do not always plan group times well enough to fully engage or motivate younger children, so they learn as much as possible.  The staff are not always successful in gathering ongoing information from parents to help to complement and consolidate children's learning.

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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

 strengthen the supervision of staff to focus more precisely on raising the quality of teaching to an exceptional level  develop more strategies to engage and motivate younger children during group time to help extend their concentration and increase their participation  build on the existing good partnerships with parents to obtain even more information about children's learning experiences at home.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector carried out and discussed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of current safeguarding legislation and the procedure to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Thorough recruitment and induction procedures help ensure all staff are suitable. Staff regularly monitor and track children's ongoing progress. They use their findings to plan children's next steps and close any gaps in their learning. The manager carries out termly supervisions and regular team meetings, and informal discussions help ensure the small staff team works effectively together. The manager and staff are all qualified and experienced. They continue to attend a range of development opportunities to help maintain their professional knowledge for the benefit of the children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good knowledge of their key children and use their frequent observations and assessments to help plan for each individual child's next steps in learning. Overall, staff support children's language and communication development well. For example, they encourage participation in word games, song time and they ask a good range of questions to support children's thinking. Staff support children to develop their early writing skills well. For example, children help themselves to pens and pencils, and some identify letter sounds and begin to write their names independently. Children have opportunities to test out their early design skills. For example, they use a range of materials and boxes to build their own structures.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are extremely nurturing and offer a warm and welcoming approach. Children are treated with kindness and respect. They confidently seek reassurance from staff as required, demonstrating that they feel safe and emotionally secure. The learning environment is well resourced and promotes children's developing independence skills as they freely choose activities. Children are encouraged to do things for themselves. They are supported by staff to manage their feelings and behaviour and to share and respect one another. Children enjoy healthy food options and enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. Younger children manoeuver wheeled toys with growing precision. Older children proudly demonstrate their balancing skills as they stand on one leg and confidently walk across the balance blocks in the playroom.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are confident and sociable learners who make good progress in readiness for school. Children develop their early mathematical skills well. For example, they count and sort objects and use mathematical language as they play. They match sounds to words and pictures and enjoy sharing their favourite books with staff. Children show a good sense of pride when they complete tasks for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487077 Local authority York Inspection number 1009671 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Salvation Army Trustee Company (The)

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01904 630470

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reference number

The Salvation Army Playgroup was registered in 2015. It employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 4. The playgroup opens Monday and Wednesday from 9.15am to 3.30pm and Tuesday from 9.15am to 12.45pm, during term time only. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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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