Ash Preschool Playgroup (Scallywags)

Ash Preschool Playgroup (Scallywags) Ash Church of England Primary School, Main Street, Ash, Somerset, TA12 6NS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 May 2017 29 January 2015

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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 accurately identifies the strengths of the pre-school and aspects for further development. She implements improvement plans well, which take into account the views of staff, parents and children.  Staff are caring, kind and calm in their approach. They develop close relationships with the children. This helps children to feel safe and secure, and supports their emotional well-being.  Staff make regular and accurate observations of the children. They use this information well to monitor children's progress, plan next steps and incorporate these into the activities children choose. Children make good progress in their learning.  Staff build strong partnerships with schools and the other settings children attend. Children have good opportunities to become familiar with the school staff. For example, they visit the school, and listen to stories and sing with the reception teacher.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager has not fully embedded all opportunities to help staff raise the quality of teaching even further.  Staff do not present books in an inviting way for children to explore them independently and strengthen their literacy development even further.

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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 existing opportunities for staff to reflect on their own and each other's practice, to help improve teaching and learning even further  encourage children to access and use books more, to further develop their literacy skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children and staff engaged in activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager and met with her at appropriate times throughout the inspection to discuss how she monitors and supports staff.  The inspector looked at a range of relevant documentation, including policies and children's assessment records.  The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability and qualifications.  The inspector took account of the views of parents' and carers spoken to on the day of the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager follows safe recruitment practices when she employs staff. She and her staff are vigilant and know the appropriate action to take if they are worried about a child's welfare. The manager has high expectations of staff. She provides them with regular guidance and supports them effectively in continuing their professional development. For example, staff have undertaken training to improve how they use their observations to plan for children's next steps in learning. The manager monitors the assessments of children's progress accurately to help her identify any gaps in learning and, where necessary, she provides targeted support to children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide children with a rich, stimulating learning environment. They make good use of their local community when planning for children's learning. For example, they take children for walks in local woods, which helps them to develop an understanding of the world. Children develop their mathematical skills well. They count and recognise shapes as they jump across large shapes on the floor. Staff support children's communication and language development successfully. They talk to children about what they are doing and use effective questioning. At carpet time, children confidently join in with action songs and decide which familiar songs they want to sing next. Children thoroughly enjoy their imaginative play in the café. They ask adults what they would like to eat and write down the orders, which helps to develop their early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children move freely between indoors and outdoors to play with resources and activities of their choosing. They enjoy being active. For example, they jump, climb and ride wheeled toys. Staff teach children successfully about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They encourage conversations about the importance of a healthy diet as they chat with children during mealtimes. Children learn what is expected of them and behave well. Staff praise and encourage children throughout the session, helping them to feel valued and respected. They help children learn how to keep themselves safe through, for example, reminding them to walk indoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident, motivated and inquisitive learners. They begin to recognise the sounds that letters represent and write their names. Children delight in taking on responsibilities, such as preparing the tables for mealtimes and washing the cups after snack. All children, including those who have special educational needs and disabilities, make good progress and learn the skills needed ready for their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348845 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1092998 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 24 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Ash Pre-School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 January 2015 Telephone number 0779 096 2255

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reference number

Ash Preschool Playgroup (Scallywags) registered in 2007. It operates from a purpose-built building situated in the grounds of Ash Church of England Primary School, in the village of Ash, near Martock, Somerset. The pre-school opens five days a week from 9am until 3.15pm, term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs five members of staff. Of these, two hold a level 6 qualification, two hold a level 3 qualification and one holds a level 2 qualification.

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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

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