Christ Church School Playgroup

Christ Church School Playgroup Christ Church C of E Primary School, Derwent Road, Lancaster, LA1 3ES

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 September 2017 4 March 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 Good 2

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

 The management committee has failed to provide Ofsted with all the required documentation in order for the necessary suitability checks to be carried out on their members.  On occasions, staff do not provide challenges to extend children's thinking skills and help them develop their ability to solve problems independently.  Staff are not consistently successful in gathering information from parents about what children know, understand and can do at home prior to starting at the setting, to help plan activities and experiences from the outset.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff are well qualified and understand how young children learn and develop. They model language effectively and engage in good conversational language with children.  Children's behaviour is good. The manager and staff support children well to manage their feelings. They promote positive strategies at all times and liaise effectively with parents and other professionals as necessary.  Staff offer a warm and inclusive learning environment where children feel safe and secure. Staff attend well to the needs of each child, and children make good progress in their learning and development.  Staff build positive relationships with parents, who are very complimentary about the service provided. They particularly like the homely, friendly and warm atmosphere that the manager and staff create.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 ensure Ofsted is provided with the necessary information about all committee members so that required suitability checks can be carried out. 23/10/2017

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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

 provide higher levels of challenge during activities to help children's thinking and problem-solving skills  enhance partnerships with parents to gather information about children's interests and what they can already know and can do when they first start, to help identify starting points for their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises and spoke with children and staff throughout the inspection.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities inside and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the chair of the committee. She looked at relevant documentation, including policies and procedures and children's records. She discussed self-evaluation and checked evidence records of staff qualifications and the suitability of staff and committee members  The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Suitability checks on management committee members have not been completed by Ofsted as required. However, the committee members do not work directly with children. They have no access to children's records and are not involved in the recruitment of staff. The manager ensures that staff working with the children are suitable to care for them through effective staff recruitment, induction procedures and supervision meetings. This means that there is no significant impact on children's safety and welfare. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to take if they have a concern about a child. The manager has created a culture of reflective practice. She has identified priorities to help improve outcomes for children. She and the staff value and access training opportunities at every opportunity, helping to improve their knowledge and skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Once children have started at the setting, staff follow their interests well. They enhance activities following observations and assessments of children at play. Children are fascinated with bubbles and enjoy chasing and catching them. Staff help children to extend their physical skills, for example, encouraging them to blow the bubbles. Staff plan activities that ensure children develop a good range of listening skills. Younger children enjoy singing and learning songs about routines of the day. Older children play games to help them learn letters, sounds and numbers. Staff actively listen to children and value what they say. However, children are not always prompted or encouraged to expand and extend their thought processes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff encourage children to be independent and self-aware. Children quickly learn new skills to help them manage small tasks for themselves, such as putting their lunch box into the fridge. Staff successfully support children emotionally and new, younger children begin to settle quickly. Strong attachments are soon built between children and their key person. Children learn how to take risks with the support of their key person. For example, children take pleasure in balancing and jumping from equipment. Staff are very vigilant and encouraging, and offer support when needed. Children gain in confidence, enjoy being active and challenge their physical skills. Children develop good hygiene practices through daily routines and learn to make healthy food choices.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning and development. They are acquiring the skills needed in preparation for school. Younger children soon become confident, independent and self-motivated. Older children learn to recognise and write their name. They develop a good range of early mathematical skills, such as size, weight and volume. Children are fascinated in how things work. For example, they make their own waterfall using the wide range of resources available to them outside.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 309271 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 1090697 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 10 Name of registered person Christ Church School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 March 2015 Telephone number 07779 660 581

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reference number

Christ Church School Playgroup registered in 1993. The playgroup employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 11.30am and 12.30pm until 3pm. There is an optional session from 9am until 3pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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

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

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