Avenue Playgroup

Avenue Playgroup Avenue Baptist Church, Milton Road, WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA, Essex, SS0 7JX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 November 2017 8 October 2013

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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 friendly staff team is sensitive to children's emotional needs and well-being. They display a warm, caring attitude and provide a stimulating environment where children are happy. Children engage in the learning opportunities with confidence.  The special educational needs coordinator works very well to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and help them achieve.  Staff hold children's safety and welfare at the heart of what they do. They follow robust systems to deal with accidents. Staff use effective risk assessments to help them keep hazards to a minimum.  The manager and staff show a commitment to reflective practice. For example, they seek a range of views and opinions from parents and children as part of the playgroup's self-evaluation. The manager and staff have successfully addressed the recommendation raised at the previous inspection, to develop children's literacy skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff do not provide enough opportunities to extend children's use of numbers, counting and simple calculation.  The manager does not ensure that staff consistently seek precise information from parents about children's learning and development before they start at the playgroup.  The supervision of staff practice does not always focus enough on improving their effectiveness in teaching. At times, staff do not fully support and challenge children as well as possible in their learning and development.

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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

 provide more opportunities for children to practise and use numbers, counting, and simple calculations  extend the range of information sought from parents when children start at the playgroup and establish and in-depth understanding of children's starting points  focus staff professional development opportunities on enhancing the already good teaching even further, to provide children with the challenge and support they need at all times.

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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 during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the playgroup manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup 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 implement effective policies and procedures to keep children safe from harm. They are vigilant and know what to do should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff supervise children well, ensuring there is always enough cover for those children who prefer to play outdoors. The partnerships with children's families are very good. Staff give advice on how parents can support their children at home. Parents spoken to at the inspection were very complimentary about the playgroup. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children receive appropriate support and are fully included. The manager and staff monitor children's assessments well to identify any emerging gaps in children's progress, and address these quickly.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a secure understanding of children's levels of development and plan effectively to support their ongoing progress. They provide an interesting range of activities linked to children's interests so that children are motivated to learn. Staff enhance children's creativity by encouraging them to be imaginative. Children enjoy using their imagination as they play with smallworld and role-play toys. Children eagerly join in with songs and rhymes with staff. This helps to develop their communication and language skills. They listen and respond well to instructions. Children develop their small-muscle skills in a variety of ways. They enjoy using chalks and paint to make pictures, helping them to develop early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children and parents feel at ease. Staff are caring, kind and approachable. All children show that they feel safe and secure, and settle well. The well-established key-person system means children quickly grow in confidence to explore the environment and lead their own play. Children develop very good risk assessment skills as they navigate around obstacles and show good control of their bodies, being careful not to bump into each other when running around the outdoors play area. They develop a good awareness of healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy a healthy snack menu. Staff encourage conversations about the importance of being healthy as they sit and chat with the children at snack time.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children become confident learners and socialise well with others. They learn to respect people's differences and explore their own cultures and beliefs, and learn about those of others. Children develop good literacy skills. They recognise their name when they register their arrival at the beginning of the session. Children are ready for the next stages in their learning and development, including their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY419401 Local authority Southend on Sea Inspection number 1065624 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 30 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Avenue Baptist Church Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 October 2013 Telephone number 01702351190

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reference number

Avenue Playgroup registered in 2010. It is situated in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, and is managed by the Avenue Baptist Church Committee. The playgroup employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, 7 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 12.15pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three-, and four-year old children. The pre-school supports children who have special educational needs and disabilities.

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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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