Vale Kids Playgroup

Vale Kids Playgroup Vale Park Cafe, Vale Park, Wallasey, CH45 1LZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 January 2018 2 March 2017

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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

 Staff do not consistently make accurate assessments of children's progress at age two. On occasion, staff make inaccurate assessments of children's development, which makes it hard to establish the progress children make at the setting.  Referral procedures for children who may need additional support are not robust.  The manager and staff have developed partnerships with the nearest school and early years provision. However, they do not form the same good links with all other schools and childcare settings that children attend, to provide consistent experiences for all children.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff are warm and welcoming, they establish strong bonds with the children. Children arrive happily, warmly greet their friends and staff, and quickly settle at an activity.  The new manager has a clear vision and a strong commitment to continuous improvement and the development of the setting. She has high expectations for the provision and capturing the views of those who attend. For example, she plans to implement new systems to involve parents more in the development of the setting.  Clear procedures are in place to keep children safe. Staff have a secure knowledge of who to report concerns to and their responsibilities for children's welfare.

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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

 improve the procedures for two-year-old assessment, to ensure that staff accurately establish when children are progressing well, or if additional support is required  improve the referral processes for children and families who may need additional support  further develop the links with other settings that children attend, to ensure a coordinated approach to their learning can be implemented.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at the relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the setting.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. Clear procedures are in place that staff would follow if they had a concern about a child's well-being. Staff understand their role in wider safeguarding issues and update their training regularly. Supervision arrangements help the manager to support the ongoing professional development and training that staff receive. The manager supports staff to access additional training, and the benefits of this development are evident. For example, staff have adapted the environment to include more visual prompts and written text. The manager has started to use self-evaluation to identify areas of development within the setting and plan for this accordingly. The manager has focused improvement plans to further develop the provision through engagement with parents, staff and children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The newly appointed manager has not had time to fully embed the development plans. However, the initial improvements in the planning and assessment are evident. Staff show some effective teaching skills. For example, they embrace the different cultures of those who attend the setting, and parents comment positively about this. The manager works with the local authority to develop the setting's action plans, to further enhance the environment. Staff do not always ensure continuity for children. For instance, on occasion they do not work effectively with parents to support children's learning at home. Staff do not consistently make accurate assessments of children's progress at age two. As a result, interventions for additional support are not put in place soon enough.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Children form close bonds with staff, who are good role models. They regularly praise, celebrate and share children's efforts and achievements. Children's behaviour is good. They are polite and communicate well with one another. Children listen to staff and follow their instructions. They benefit from the unique learning opportunities in the outdoor environment. Children learn good hygiene practices and understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they are encouraged to discuss safety during trips to the on-site park and wash their hands before mealtimes and after outdoor play. Parents praise the support they receive from the setting and have commented that their children appear happy and to be making good progress.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are making progress; however, the weakness in the two-year-old assessment process means that it is not possible to determine how well children progress at the setting. Children demonstrate independence. They learn to manage their personal needs, to feed themselves and to dress appropriately in their outdoor clothes. Children develop some skills in readiness to start school. For example, they engage in mathematical activities in the outdoor environment, and develop skills for future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY485501 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 1088455 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 - 3 Total number of places 15 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Vale House Community Centre Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 March 2017 Telephone number 01516391386

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reference number

Vale Kids Playgroup registered in 2015. The playgroup employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications to a minimum of level 3. The manager is a qualified teacher. The playgroup is open each weekday from 9.15am until 12.15pm, during term time only. It provides funded 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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