Hamdon Playgroup

Hamdon Playgroup Under the United Reformed Church, North Street, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, TA14 6QP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 May 2017 13 May 2015

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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

 The provider has not informed Ofsted about changes to the registered body of the pre- school, and has not ensured the required suitability checks are completed. This also breaches the Childcare Registration requirements.  Sometimes, staff miss opportunities to challenge children's learning and extend their knowledge and understanding further.  Children who prefer to learn outside have fewer opportunities and time to learn and play outside.

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It has the following strengths

 The environment is welcoming. Staff greet children warmly, getting to their level, and welcoming them by name. Children have good attachments to their key person, and settle quickly.  Partnership with parents is effective. Staff ensure that parents are fully aware of their child’s developmental progress, so they can support continued learning at home. Parents share that staff know their children well.  The pre-school links well with local schools and other playgroups, ensuring continuity of care and learning for children they share.  The manager uses effective systems to monitor and evaluate the provision, and to identify areas for development that benefit children’s learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 provide Ofsted with the name, date of birth and telephone number of the current committee members, and ensure suitability checks are carried out. 30/05/2017

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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

 make use of every opportunity to challenge children's ideas and understanding further, to extend their knowledge  provide more opportunities for children who prefer to learn outside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views on the pre-school.  The inspector sampled documentation, including training records, suitability checks and children's learning records.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the leader.  The inspector spoke to staff to discuss their knowledge of key children and safeguarding practices.  The inspector observed staff teaching and spoke to children.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. Leaders and staff have a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms that may be of concern and how to report this. They attend training and attend local networks to keep up to date with changes. However, the provider has failed to notify Ofsted of a change to the members of the committee within the required timescale. This means that Ofsted has not been able to determine the suitability of all committee members. Nevertheless, this does not affect children's experiences or their safety because committee members are never on their own with children. Staff are well qualified and leaders support them effectively. Leaders check their ongoing suitability and training needs well during supervision meetings.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know children very well and plan effectively. There is an efficient tracking system, so they can quickly identify and address any gaps in children's development. Staff support children well to develop good early literacy skills. For example, pre-school-aged children learn letter sounds in small groups, and children are encouraged to write their name on their 'work'. Staff demonstrate writing by asking the children what they would like for a snack and writing the shopping list with them. Staff use basic sign language well to support children's developing language. Children have many opportunities to develop their early mathematical skills, for instance, they count the beans they are planting, discuss volume when playing in the sand, and talk about the shape of the bubbles being 'spheres'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff teach the children about good personal hygiene effectively. For example, they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Staff are good role models, demonstrating manners and talking to children in a calm way. Children are well behaved and polite, for instance, saying 'sorry' when they bump into someone with a toy pushchair. Children learn the consequences of their actions. For example, staff remind them that they must not run inside, as they may fall over and hurt themselves. The management team has failed to notify Ofsted of new committee members, to fully support children's welfare.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are interested and engaged in activities. They develop good self-esteem from staff, who respect their needs. For example, children get a warning before pack-up time, so that they have time to finish their activity. Children independently make choices of what they would like to play with from a wide range of interesting, accessible resources. They make good progress and are prepared well for the next stages in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 143133 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1089658 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 32 Name of registered person Hamdon Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 May 2015 Telephone number 01935826832

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reference number

Hamdon Playgroup opened in 1974 and is run by a voluntary committee. It operates in Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, Somerset. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, during term time only. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven members of staff in total, five of whom have a level 3 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

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

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