The Play Pit

The Play Pit Holly Lodge, 9 Brownlow Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7EX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 December 2017 31 January 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Since the last inspection, the provider and staff have succeeded in improving the provision. A successful key-person system supports children in building good relationships with staff and other children.  Leaders and staff strive to deliver the highest-quality provision for children and their families. They identify areas to develop further effectively. They set improvement plans and implement changes to achieve goals, and to continue raising standards.  Staff are positive role models for children and manage behaviour well. They encourage children to use good manners. Children are polite and friendly and learn to be tolerant, respectful and kind.  Staff provide a nurturing environment that welcomes children and their families. They work in close partnership with parents to support all children in their care and learning needs.  Teaching is good. Staff understand how children learn. All children are making good

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The arrangements for the performance management and support of staff are not strong enough, to clearly identify how individual staff members can raise the quality of their teaching practice to the highest level.  At times staff do not help children to sustain their concentration during activities and benefit from uninterrupted play.

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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

 build on the good systems introduced for staff supervision and support, to further develop staff's skills that enrich practice and improve outcomes for children  support children more effectively to sustain their concentration during activities.

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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 a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery managers. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector spoke with children and staff during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The suitability of staff members is checked when they are recruited and is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Leaders and staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. They know how to report concerns regarding a child's welfare. This contributes to keeping children safe. Since the last inspection, the manager has introduced regular supervisory sessions with staff and all staff attend regular team meetings. This helps to ensure that staff continue to understand their roles and responsibilities. Tracking is in place to help identify any gaps in children's learning and plan effective ways to narrow these quickly for all children. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are strong. Parents express a high regard for the help and support they receive from all staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff assess children's progress and provide interesting and appropriate activities that will engage children and promote their curiosity. Children experiment with a range of materials to develop their imaginative skills. For example, they enjoy painting their hands and using their handprints to create Christmas pictures. Staff help children to develop an interest in books. For example, they read to babies and toddlers who snuggle in closely as they look at the pictures together. Staff support older children well as they explore a range of suitable programmes on the nursery computer.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are settled and emotionally secure. Staff warmly praise children's efforts and achievements. This helps to boost children's self-confidence. Staff use information gathered from parents about children effectively. They provide consistent personal care and flexible routines for babies. Children develop healthy appetites and enjoy excellent opportunities to learn about healthy foods and lifestyles. They enjoy well-balanced meals prepared in the nursery kitchen. They know when and why they must wash their hands. All children have daily opportunities to be active outdoors. This helps them to develop a growing awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. They are enthusiastic and independent learners. Children choose their own equipment, which they treat with respect. Children learn skills, such as writing their names, and are beginning to develop their early reading skills. They are confident communicators who are eager to demonstrate what they know and can do. Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning and for their eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251782 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1085302 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person The Play Pit

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 31 January 2017 Telephone number 01394 276005

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reference number

The Play Pit registered in 1990. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff, including the providers. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one at level 5, one at level 4, seven at level 3 and one at level 2. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. A breakfast and after-school club is also offered during school term times, with sessions from 7.30am until 8.30am, and 3.10pm until 6pm. A holiday club operates from 7.30am until 6pm during the school holidays. The nursery 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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