Little Owls Playgroup

Little Owls Playgroup Mackworth Youth And Community Centre, Prince Charles Avenue, Derby, DE22 4FN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 October 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

 There are exceptional partnerships with parents and carers, who speak very highly about the trust and respect they have for staff. Staff take the time to speak to parents and carers to support any queries. Staff share a wealth of information that supports children's learning at home as well as wider family issues.  The manager has a level 5 management qualification and makes very good use of this knowledge. There is highly effective organisation of staff to meet children's needs. There are high numbers of staff working with the children, and the manager, who is not included in ratios, oversees the smooth running of every session.  A detailed and consistent induction ensures that all staff are familiar with the policies and routines, and the needs and areas of support of the children they are working with.  Staff provide a strong focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle. Parents and carers comment on how effective the support is for helping children to recognise the

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The system to manage the performance of staff does not always thoroughly follow up any weaknesses in teaching or make sure that staff are fully clear about what they need to improve and how.  Management does not consistently make the best possible use of information about children's progress to plan highly challenging activities that help children to make the highest rates of progress in their learning.

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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 systems to manage the performance of staff and provide more sharply focused support that raises the quality of teaching further  make even better use of information about children's progress, to precisely plan activities and challenges that help them to make the best possible progress in their 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. She spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed joint observations with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector discussed the procedures for evaluation and the priorities for improvement.  The inspector spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager is very knowledgeable, passionate and committed and has a clear vision to provide the best possible support for children and their families. She demonstrates a very strong capacity to improve the quality of the provision further. Safeguarding is effective. All staff are well equipped through induction and ongoing training to recognise and respond to child protection issues. The manager is proactive in ensuring that any concerns about children are properly dealt with. There is very good partnership working with other settings. For example, staff signpost parents and carers to relevant local services. Staff make good use of training to improve the quality of the provision. For example, they develop additional resources to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

There is a very good range of activities available throughout the session. Staff plan and provide adult-led, small-group activities to provide support for older children's next steps in learning and to help them to develop their readiness for school. For example, they help children to take turns in an activity where they recognise and match shapes. They provide consistent support to help children who speak English as an additional language to learn new words and to count. Staff working with younger children provide very good support. They give younger children opportunities to stretch and reach for toys. They encourage them to crawl and stand. Staff sing to younger children and they babble excitedly. The key-person system is strong. Staff are very clear about children's level of development, what they need to learn next and how to support this.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff make an enormous effort to set up an extremely attractive, well-resourced, inviting and exciting environment for when children arrive. Children are extremely happy to enter the setting and immediately engage in self-chosen play. There is very good support as children start at the setting, including home visits, tailored settling-in visits, consistency of staff and individual support. Staff also provide very good support for children to help them as they move on to school. For example, they agree a transitional plan for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff plan activities to help children to understand how to stay safe. For example, they invite visitors, such as the police community support officer, to talk to the children.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning from their starting points and very good progress in some areas of learning, such as their personal, social and emotional development. Children are very enthusiastic to join in with play. They have very good concentration, for example, during group activities. They recognise the needs of the group and wait to have their turn, putting their hand up to respond to questions. Children develop the skills they need for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492973 Local authority Derby, City of Inspection number 1026102 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 0 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Joanna Hardy

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07758953596

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reference number

Little Owls Playgroup registered in 2015. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and the manager holds an early years qualification at level 4. The playgroup opens from 7.30am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday during term time. 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

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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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