The Forest Playgroup

The Forest Playgroup Horsham Rugby Club, Coolhurst Ground, Hammerpond Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 September 2017 Not applicable

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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 have warm, caring bonds with children. They meet children's emotional and physical needs well and provide sensitive individual support for children who are new and settling in.  Children benefit from a well-organised, inviting learning environment. Staff make good use of the space available. Children easily choose from a wide variety of interesting resources and activities in the hall and outside.  Staff plan and provide stimulating experiences for children based on a thorough understanding of their interests, abilities and needs. Children are eager to join in and motivated to learn. They make good progress in their development from their starting points.  Parents remain well informed and staff successfully involve them in their child's learning. For instance, staff provide regular progress updates and make suggestions for activities to continue at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The systems for monitoring staff performance are not yet highly rigorous, to help consistently support all staff to develop outstanding teaching and assessment skills.  On occasion, staff do not effectively plan group activities successfully to engage all children. Some children become distracted and do not fully benefit from these sessions.

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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 arrangements for monitoring staff and supporting the ongoing development of their knowledge and skills, to further enhance the quality of teaching  review and improve the planning and organisation of large-group activities to ensure all children are well supported and more fully engaged.

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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 to the manager, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector sampled relevant documentation, such as evidence of staff suitability, children's records and the setting's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager carries out thorough checks to make sure staff are suitable and remain suitable to work with children. Staff understand how to recognise and report any child protection concerns and they keep their knowledge of safeguarding matters up to date. The manager and staff work together well as a team. They reflect on their practice and are motivated to continually improve. They regularly seek feedback from parents and children to help them evaluate the provision and identify areas to improve. Staff make good use of what they learn on local courses to extend children's experiences. For instance, following training, they successfully introduced a project to further support children's early literacy skills in preparation for school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children and monitor their development closely. They quickly identify any areas where children may need more support and put effective individual plans in place where appropriate. Staff support children's communication and language skills well. For instance, they encourage conversations and repeat new words. They give children time to test out their ideas and try things for themselves. For example, children enjoyed working out how to make a programmable toy move in the right direction. Staff make good use of activities and routines to encourage children to develop their understanding of numbers, such as counting out their apple pieces at snack time. Children have good opportunities to explore and investigate the world, such as finding out what happens when they mix sand and soil or looking at objects closely with a magnifying glass.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff act as good role models and offer children consistent guidance and support. New children quickly build trusting relationships with staff. Children behave well and learn to treat one another with respect. For instance, they learn about their different beliefs and traditions. Staff are vigilant in supervising children throughout the day, for instance, they make sure enough staff are inside and outside with children. They check the premises thoroughly to help make sure it is safe and secure. Children have daily opportunities to be active. They enjoy practising their physical skills, such as balancing carefully on beams or navigating the uneven ground on a walk through the woods.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are kind and thoughtful. They make sure their friend has enough sand to fill their pot and willingly take turns with resources. Children quickly grow in independence and enjoy taking responsibility for small tasks, such as clearing away their plate after snack time. They concentrate well and become absorbed in their play. Children communicate confidently and express their wishes and needs. Older children count competently and recognise the letters in their name. They enjoy writing as they play, such as making lists of things to buy at the role-play market stall. They are well prepared for their future learning and for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490015 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 1024681 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 16 Name of registered person Marie May

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01403261589

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reference number

The Forest Playgroup registered under the current owner in 2015. It operates from a rugby club in Horsham, West Sussex. The setting is open from 9.15am to 2.45pm on Monday and Thursday, and from 9.15am to 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, during term time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are four staff, who all hold relevant childcare 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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