Goslings Playgroup

Goslings Playgroup C/O Whitehill School, Whitehill Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9HT

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 May 2017 27 January 2015

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

 Staff place a sharp focus on children's communication and language development in every activity or experience they take part in. For example, they use spontaneous opportunities, such as snack time to engage children in looking at the letters they identify on their biscuit.  The well-established staff team assesses children's development and provide an interesting range of activities that meets their individual interests. Regular observations are used to update assessments of children's progress. Staff incorporate children's next steps in learning into a range of enjoyable and fun activities.  The manager monitors staff practice through observations and she provides effective feedback that supports their ongoing development. The committee and the manager are focused on coaching the staff team through regular supervision sessions and appraisal meetings. This encourages staff to identify their individual training needs.

p.1

This provision is good

 Children's imaginative development is promoted well. Staff encourage them to use a wide range of small-world figures and resources to create their own stories.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff do not give enough consideration to adapting activities so that the most able children can be fully involved when taking part in activities together.  There are not enough opportunities for children to develop an understanding of how things works in different ways.

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

 adapt activities to provide even more challenge for the most able children  provide more opportunities for children to explore a range of materials and objects that work in different ways for different purposes.

p.2

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 at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and she reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and she took account of their views.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The well-qualified staff team has effective relationships with parents, carers and other professionals. They regularly share information to support children's learning and development through discussions and individual meetings. Parent and child feedback is collected on a regular basis and staff use this to support their continuous improvements. Parents speak highly of the staff team and feel very involved in their children's learning. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The committee and the manager work closely to ensure that staff regularly complete and update their child protection training. Staff know the correct procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare or the conduct of staff.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are aware of children's starting points and capabilities and they support them well. Planning focuses on the prime areas of learning and incorporates other areas to ensure that children make effective progress. Children develop good skills in mathematics with creative activities. For example, they correctly match the right number of ducks to those on their paintings. Children develop their communication and language skills during singing and story time. They are confident speakers. Staff use probing questions to extend their thinking while reading a story together. Children are enthusiastic as they answer the questions and demonstrate good listening skills.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled. They build strong bonds with other children and staff. They behave well and are aware of why they need to share and take turns with other children. Their physical development is promoted well. They happily explore the outside environment and activities with interest. For example, children engage in a bird spotting activity. They identify a range of different birds from pictures and talk to staff about the colours and the differences they see. Children's health and well-being are supported well. Staff are consistent with their routines and children learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle during group discussions at mealtimes.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, are making good progress and gaining the necessary skills to be ready for school or the next stage of their learning. Their independence and enjoyment of mark making is promoted well. Children skilfully use a range of resources inside and outside to draw, paint and write. Staff consistently praise and encourage children. This supports children's personal, social and emotional development and raises their self-esteem.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 146757 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089731 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 30 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Goslings Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 January 2015 Telephone number 01462 622662

p.4

reference number

Goslings Playgroup registered under its current ownership in 2009. The setting is managed by a voluntary management committee. The setting employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am and from 12.30pm until 3pm, with an optional lunch club operating from 11.45am until 12.30pm each day. The setting provides funded early education for two, three and four- year-old children.

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