Vale Kids Playgroup

Vale Kids Playgroup Vale Park Cafe, Vale Park, Wallasey, CH45 1LZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 March 2017 Not applicable

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The assessment of children's development is weak. Staff do not thoroughly assess children's progress in order to identify what they need to learn next. Consequently, planned activities do not address their next steps in learning.  Staff have very limited access to training and support for their professional development. The management team has not effectively supported staff to improve their skills and knowledge. In addition, parents are not consulted to gather their views about how the playgroup could improve.  Partnerships with most of the other settings children attend are not effective. Information is not shared and so there is no collaboration about what children are learning or how they are progressing.

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It has the following strengths

 Children develop warm and affectionate relationships with their key person. They seek out reassurance when they are upset and enjoy a cuddle with staff.  Parents comment that their children are well cared for and enjoy coming to the playgroup. They say staff are friendly and share information about what children have been doing on a daily basis.  Staff are good at managing the behaviour and moods of children of different ages. They divert children when their excitement becomes a little boisterous and praise children for listening and responding to their calm instructions.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure methods of assessment identify children's next steps in learning and inform planned activities to help them make better progress in their learning 30/03/2017

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Due Date

 ensure staff develop their skills and knowledge and implement effective systems to promote their professional development 30/03/2017

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Due Date

 establish effective partnerships with the other settings that children attend so that a coordinated approach to their learning can be implemented. 30/03/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 include parents and carers in a thorough evaluation of the playgroup's practice and identify where improvements can be made.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup. She looked at a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures and the playgroup's improvement plan.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held meetings with the playgroup manager.  The inspector had a tour of the premises, 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 playgroup manager.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Managers do not have a good understanding of all the requirements they must meet. Playgroup staff are qualified and experienced, however, their ongoing professional development has not been prioritised. They have had few opportunities to access information and training. In addition, while the staff team has considered the improvements they need to make, they have not asked parents to contribute their views. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Risk assessments are in place and staff are vigilant about keeping children safe. Staff recognise the signs that children may be at risk of harm and they know how to report their concerns.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Methods of assessing children's progress require improvement. Staff do not clearly identify children's next steps for learning in order to plan activities which challenge them. Staff plan activities based on seasonal events or children's interests. For example, children taste pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and pretend to make more in the home corner. Some aspects of understanding the world are promoted effectively. The playgroup is sited within a park, overlooking a beach. Staff take full advantage of the interesting outdoor area by encouraging children to look closely at changes in the environment or seasons. Teaching through daily routines is better. Staff use circle times well to help promote children's speaking and listening skills. For example, children repeat familiar phrases from their favourite stories and wonder what the weather is like outside. Partnerships with the other settings most children attend are too weak to have a positive impact on children's

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

learning. However, where children are identified as needing additional support, partnerships with other agencies are more effective.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about healthy food choices and enjoy eating a variety of fresh fruit daily. Staff teach children to understand the effects of exercise on their bodies and why they need to dress warmly in winter. Older children enjoy the responsibility of completing simple tasks. For example, they give out plates at snacktime and help with the washing up afterwards. Staff encourage children to help tidy up and gently remind them to sit still when they are eating. Children are learning about risk and safety. They hold hands in the park or tell staff knives are sharp as they play in the home corner. Children show a fondness for staff, they enjoy their company and are keen to talk to them.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Despite making slower progress in their learning, overall, children are developing some of the skills in readiness to start school. They are developing age-appropriate independence and self-care skills. They try hard to put on their own coats and use the bathroom independently. They are keen explorers who are able to communicate their needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485501 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 1013280 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 - 4 Total number of places 15 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Vale House Community Centre Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01516391386

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reference number

Vale Kids Playgroup was registered in 2015. The playgroup employs three members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup is open each weekday from 9.15am until 12.15pm, term time only. The playgroup provides funded 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

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

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