St Stephens Playgroup

St Stephens Playgroup Parish Church Of St Stephen, Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME4 6JE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 May 2017 3 May 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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 management team and staff have worked hard to make significant improvements to their setting since the previous inspection. They work effectively as a team in evaluating all aspects of their provision. They identify their strengths and areas to develop to continue improving the outcomes for children.  Staff swiftly identify where children need additional support. They work closely with other professionals and effectively follow their guidance to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. This supports children to make continual progress in their development.  Children are happy in this secure, friendly and caring playgroup. They are enthusiastic as they explore indoor and outdoor activities and are well motivated in their play.  Staff support children to make good progress. Children develop a range of skills, for example, social and physical skills, through a range of well-organised activities.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, staff do not organise routine sessions in the most effective way to help children to remain meaningfully engaged and occupied in their learning at all times.  Staff do not consistently use systems to help parents to share their children's achievements from home to support even greater continuity in 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

 manage planned changes in routines more effectively to help keep children meaningfully engaged and occupied at all times  enhance systems that help parents to regularly share more about children's care and achievements at home and promote greater continuity in learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a variety of activities, including outdoor play.  The inspector carried out joint observations with one of the providers.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider.  The inspector sampled documents, including, children's records, policies and procedures and the self-evaluation document.  The inspector talked with staff and parents to gather their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The providers and staff display a good knowledge of what to do if they have any concerns about a child. They are also aware of how to identify possible risk from extreme behaviour and views. Regular risk assessments help to reduce hazards in the environments children use. Children remain safe and secure. Staff have worked hard to successfully address the action set at their last inspection. For example, a process is now in place which means all staff are aware of the intended outcomes for each child's learning. Children receive the support they need to make the best progress possible. The systems of observation, assessment and planning help to monitor each child's learning and development progress successfully. Opportunities for supervision, staff training and childcare course attendance all help to further improve the outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Activities are set out ready for when children arrive so their learning can begin. For example, children find their name cards to 'self-register' to show they are present. They also use these to 'buy' their snack. Staff provide a wide range of interesting toys and resources. Children fully engage in their chosen activities, such as planting and growing vegetables and fruit. They learn about life cycles and what all living things need to grow and survive. Staff use skilful questioning to encourage children to talk about what they are doing. Story boards help children to recall favourite stories and they put these where they need to be in the right order.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have great fun and enjoy spending time outdoors. Most of the equipment is made from wood, recycled materials and objects, such as tyres for balancing on and old pans and spoons to make music with. A mud kitchen is very popular and children enjoy digging the dirt and mixing it with water. They learn about quantity and measuring as they play. A tree is stripped of some of its branches to make it suitable for climbing. Children are learning to take risks. Their independence is promoted well throughout their play. For example, at snack time they cut up fruit and learn how to use a knife properly. Children learn about healthy eating and now tell their parents what they can and cannot have in their lunchboxes.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children learn how to help improve their speaking skills, for example, as they repeat new words and follow instructions from staff. Children learn to take turns, respect each other and start to develop meaningful relationships. Children practise their early writing skills and they use paints, pencils and crayons to make marks. Children are supported very well to prepare them for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY491596 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 1052809 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person St Stephens Playgroup Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 May 2016 Telephone number 07773 757392

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reference number

St Stephens Playgroup registered in 2015 and operates from a Church hall in Chatham, Kent. The playgroup is owned by two partners. The playgroup employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold recognised early years qualifications. The playgroup opens from 9am until 1pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and from 9am until 11.30am and midday until 3pm on Wednesday, and from 9am to 11.30am on Friday, during term time only. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children and also receives early years pupil premium funding.

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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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