First Friends Playgroup

First Friends Playgroup First Friends Playgroup, Ashtree School, Chertsey Rise, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9JN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 July 2017 15 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

 Children form warm and secure bonds with their key person and all other members of staff. They thoroughly enjoy their key person's sensitive interaction in their play. Effective arrangements are in place to support children to settle when they first begin attending.  Staff develop strong relationships with parents and involve them in every aspect of their children's learning. Parents receive detailed feedback about their children's good progress, the activities they have enjoyed and ideas to extend their learning at home. They describe the staff as 'very welcoming' and 'friendly'.  The dedicated and well-qualified team of staff work very well together. They receive regular supervision meetings and have good training opportunities to consistently update their skills. This helps children to benefit from newly introduced methods of practice, such as positive behaviour management strategies.  Children experience a wide range of interesting activities. For instance, they closely

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This provision is good

observe a chameleon, learn about how it changes colour and identify how each eye can look in different directions.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always fully incorporate each child's preferred learning style in their planning to help children make more-rapid progress.  Staff have not yet fully explored further ways to extend partnerships with all providers and schools that children move on to.

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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

 make the most of what is known about individual children, so specific areas of development can be targeted for really rapid progress  strengthen the partnerships with all providers and schools that children move on to, to enable a shared approach to children's learning.

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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 spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with one of the managers and reviewed the playgroup's self-evaluation.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and provider of the playgroup, who is also one of the joint managers. 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. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to identify any children who may be at risk of harm. They know the action to take if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff communicate well with each other and skilfully deploy themselves, to ensure that children remain safe and their needs are met at all times. The managers and staff are reflective about their practice and regularly evaluate the provision they offer. Their commitment helps them to drive forward identified areas for improvement. The managers thoroughly monitor children's progress. Swift action is taken to address any gaps in children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

All children engage in challenging activities with enthusiasm. For example, together they work out through trial and error how to connect bridges to their previously constructed train track. Children develop good control and coordination of their hands as they use a range of tools, such as scissors, to cut malleable dough. They positively respond to the staff's praise. This motivates them to persevere at developing new skills, such as creating a perfect ball of dough as they roll it between the palms of their hands. Children eagerly use complex sentences to talk about previous activities they have enjoyed. They confidently demonstrate what they have learnt. For example, they proudly speak in Italian. Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported. For instance, staff use children's home language and teach all children basic sign language.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are positive role models. Children behave well and develop secure and friendly relationships with each other. For instance, they listen to each other's suggestions as they patiently wait their turn as they play a game. Children are independent individuals. They know to clear away their cup and plate when they have finished eating and to place their used tissues in the bin. Staff skilfully raise children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe through their play and everyday routines. For example, as children pretend to iron clothes in the role-play area staff remind them not to touch real hot irons at home. Children develop good physical skills. For instance, they climb on large apparatus, learn to bounce on large balls and carefully balance along a row of crates.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in relation to their starting points. For example, they are able to identify and write their own name. Children learn to link letters to sounds as they join in with songs that incorporate the different letters of the alphabet. They confidently count, recognise numbers and solve simple mathematical problems, such as subtraction. These key learning skills prepare children well for their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 149664 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1089770 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 3 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Samantha Wakem and Sandra Stannard Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 June 2015 Telephone number 07977 786299

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reference number

First Friends Playgroup registered in 1999 and is privately owned. The playgroup employs six members of childcare staff, including the joint managers, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The playgroup opens 9.15am to 12.15pm Monday to Friday, during term time only. It provides funded early education for two- and three-year old children.

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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