St Michaels Playgroup

St Michaels Playgroup Church Hall, Colebrook Way, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3BB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 October 2017 4 December 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 works closely with the staff team to help evaluate the effectiveness of the playgroup. They set relevant targets for ongoing improvements to the playgroup. For example, they have introduced small-group activities to help develop children's communication skills.  Children are happy and settle quickly in the playgroup. All children demonstrate good levels of confidence, showing they feel safe and secure.  Staff provide a wide range of activities that promote children's curiosity to learn. The indoor and outdoor environments are well designed, vibrant and stimulating. Children are inquisitive, follow their own interests and explore their surroundings.  Parent partnerships are strong. Parents have access to children's development records and they state that they feel well informed about their children's achievements and their next steps in learning.  The manager and staff establish effective partnerships with other professionals to

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This provision is good

support children's ongoing learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the manager and staff monitor individual children's learning well, they have not fully established systems to monitor the progress of specific groups of children.  At times, staff interrupt children's play and learning with no warning, and children do not have the opportunity to stop what they are doing and draw their play to an end on their own.

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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

 develop the systems to evaluate the impact of teaching on specific groups of children, to identify any gaps in learning as swiftly as possible  support children to understand when there is to be a change in routine or activity so they can end their play for themselves.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and spoke to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the day.  The inspector carried out 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 a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of the procedures to follow and whom they must report to, should they have concerns about a child's welfare. The manager implements systems for the safe recruitment of staff. She checks their ongoing suitability. Staff complete risk assessments to identify and address potential hazards, which helps to keep children safe. The manager uses effective supervision and ongoing appraisal systems to help ensure all staff are confident, and capable, in their roles. Staff access a range of training opportunities to improve their practice. For example, staff have attended training to support children's speech and language skills through using signs and visual aids.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The experienced staff team has a good understanding of how children learn. Staff undertake detailed observations and assessments of children's progress. Children engage in activities with enthusiasm and show high levels of concentration. For example, they look closely at dinosaur bones with magnifying glasses and brush dirt off with toothbrushes as they pretend to be archaeologists. Staff provide a good range of sensory activities. For example, children become engrossed as they explore what happens when mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. They excitedly describe the sound it makes as 'fizzy'. Staff ask interesting questions and allow children time to respond, developing children's communication and language well.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are polite and behave well. Staff use positive praise and encouragement to support children to gain an understanding of the rules and boundaries. Children learn to share toys fairly, take turns and respect the views of others. For example, children vote for what fruit they would like at snack time. Staff promote healthy lifestyles with children. They have plenty of opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise in the outdoor environment. Children's physical development is promoted well, for example, a weekly football club focuses on developing children's balance and coordination skills.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children, including those in receipt of additional funding and those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress in their learning. Children quickly grow in independence and enjoy taking responsibility for small tasks, such as handing out snack to their friends and pouring their own drinks. Children begin to develop early literacy skills. They confidently recognise their names and are starting to write their names independently. Children enjoy counting during activities and begin to recognise numbers. They are acquiring the skills, knowledge and attitudes to learning that prepare them well for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109883 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 1070107 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person St Michaels Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 December 2014 Telephone number 07940 569651

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reference number

St Michaels Playgroup registered in 1993. It operates from a playroom attached to St Michaels Church in Andover, Hampshire. The playgroup is open five days a week from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time only. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education for three- and four-year-old children. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2.

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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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