St Michaels Playgroup

St Michaels Playgroup Margaret Wix Junior & Infant School, High Oaks, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6EL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 June 2017 27 June 2014

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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 and staff are dedicated and enthusiastic about their roles. The quality of teaching is consistently good.  Staff interact well with the children, supporting and promoting their communication and language skills.  Partnership working with other professionals is effective and results in very good support for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  Children are well prepared for their move to school. They become familiar with the school environment as they visit regularly and are invited to attend school functions.  Children who speak English as an additional language are effectively supported. For example, staff use Makaton sign language to support their developing vocabulary.  The playgroup is well established within the community. Parents speak very positively about the care and education their children receive.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager does not make best possible use of staff supervision meetings, in order to identify ways to build on their already good practice.  Staff do not consistently use the information they gain from parents and their initial assessments of children to precisely target their starting points when they first start.  Parents are not provided with enough information about how they can help to support their child's learning at home.

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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

 strengthen the existing arrangements for staff supervision, in order to raise the quality of teaching to an even higher level  use the information from parents and initial assessments of children when they first start to track their starting points more accurately  provide parents with information about how they can support their children's learning at home so that they make the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities both inside and outside and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  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 parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The committee, the manager and staff demonstrate a very good understanding of how to safeguard children. All staff have completed relevant training and are confident in the steps they would take to share concerns about a child. There are robust procedures when recruiting and vetting staff to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Staff work particularly well together and the organisation of the playgroup is good. They are reflective and continually evaluate the provision they offer.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The manager and staff have worked at the playgroup for several years and offer stability for parents and children. They are well qualified which has a positive impact on children's learning. Staff observe children and plan for their next steps in learning. They introduce numbers and counting with children, helping to support their mathematical development. Children's early literacy skills are encouraged as staff use daily routines to encourage them to recognise their name. There are many opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. For example, they enjoy looking for insects and smelling the different herbs in the sensory garden.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children and their families are warmly welcomed by the manager and staff. There is a very good key-person system in place. This enables children to build close relationships with familiar and trusted adults, supporting their emotional well-being. Children are encouraged to make choices and develop their independence effectively. They take responsibility for small tasks, such as pouring their drinks and serving their food at snack time. Staff give a high priority to ensuring children learn about the importance of safe and healthy lifestyles. Children eat nutritious snacks, have regular exercise and follow good hygiene routines. Children take part in a variety of events and celebrations, giving them a wider understanding of the world. For example, they enjoy wearing their hats in their Easter parade.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children of all abilities achieve well and enjoy their time at the playgroup. Staff effectively promote the prime areas of learning, ensuring there is a solid foundation for children's future learning. Children are becoming confident, independent learners. Staff continually praise and encourage the children, helping them to feel valued and respected. They learn to be part of a group, understand rules and show respect for the feelings and choices of others. They are prepared well emotionally and gain the skills they need for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY295043 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1087949 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 26 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person St Michaels Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 June 2014 Telephone number 0781611 8130

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reference number

St Michaels Playgroup was registered again in 2004. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager holds a recognised qualification at level 4. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until midday. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children who speak English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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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