Oulton Abbey Playgroup

Oulton Abbey Playgroup Oulton Abbey, Church Lane, Oulton, Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 8UP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 May 2017 25 June 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

 Staff build trusting relationships with children. They are knowledgeable about children's family circumstances and place a good focus on promoting their emotional well-being.  Staff place a strong focus on finding out about children's interests and take account of these to provide motivating learning experiences. Children enjoy their learning and make good progress from their starting points.  Staff promote children's language and speaking skills well. They provide ample opportunities for children to foster an interest in books and stories.  Systems in place to work with parents are strong and the close relationships established help staff work with parents to support children's learning.  Staff use effective risk assessments to help keep the environment and resources used by children safe and suitable.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Methods for monitoring staff performance are not embedded well enough to help raise the quality of teaching to exceptional levels.  Staff do not provide enough opportunities to extend children's learning about technology or exploring mathematical concepts, such as weight and measurement.

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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

 develop the effective monitoring and staff performance management systems to help raise the quality of teaching to an even higher level  provide a rich range of experiences that extends children's learning in using technology resources and exploring mathematical concepts.

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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 carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the 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 determined manager has an accurate overview of the playgroup and uses self- evaluation well to identify further areas for development. For example, children are consulted and feedback from parents and staff is used well to make changes to the service offered. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff are suitably trained in child protection issues, including the signs to look for if a child is being abused. The established staff have a good knowledge of their roles and responsibilities and the policies and procedures in place. Parents report that they are highly satisfied with the care their children receive and that the staff's nurturing approach impresses them.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff place a strong focus on children learning through play and help them to actively learn through experiences which interest them. Staff encourage children to contribute their ideas of what they want to learn about when they plan. Staff place a high focus on increasing children's vocabulary and introduce them to new concepts and ideas. For example, children learn how insects pollinate flowers, and staff reinforce the new words that are introduced well. Staff imaginatively create their own stories and use a broad range of books and visual aids to inspire children's interests. As a result, children know the characters well and are keen to act out their favourite stories. Staff provide good opportunities for children to freely explore and express their ideas during activities, such as in the water, sand and the role play area.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff place a strong focus on helping new children to settle and are nurturing and sensitive to their needs. Children are happy, confident and have good opportunities to increase their independence and self-help skills. Children learn about the benefits of fresh produce as they care for the vegetables in the garden. Staff use the outdoor area well to ensure children have plenty of time in the fresh air and use the varied range of physical play equipment. Children learn how to take controlled risk, such as climbing trees, under close supervision.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including two-years-olds receiving additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children are confident talkers who show an interest in other languages, such as French, and learn to use sign language. They show a strong interest in the natural and local environment. For example, children learn about space and the planets and take part in community events. They show an interest in counting and the most able children recognise and begin to write their names. Children acquire the key skills required in preparation for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 218197 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 1090022 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person The English Benedictine Order of Oulton Abbey Near Stone, Staffs

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 June 2015 Telephone number 01785 827 970

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reference number

Oulton Abbey Playgroup registered in 1992. The playgroup opens on Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and from 9am to 2pm on a Friday, during term time only. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The playgroup employs three members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3.

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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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