Friars Centre Playgroup

Friars Centre Playgroup Friars Community Centre, The Renown, Constable Way, SHOEBURYNESS, Essex, SS3 9SW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 February 2018 11 July 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 manager and her dedicated team show a strong focus and passionate drive to provide high-quality care and education for children. Strong self-evaluation processes actively contribute to sustaining the good-quality provision.  The atmosphere in the playgroup is calm and purposeful. Children's behaviour is very good. Staff are positive role models and provide clear guidance and warm praise to help children understand what is expected of them.  Partnerships with parents are a key strength. Staff provide ongoing opportunities for exchanging information with parents about children's care and learning.  Staff know the children well and demonstrate a good knowledge of their individual personalities. They plan a range of interesting activities that motivate and engage children and promote all aspects of learning.  Staff work effectively as a team indoors and outside, ensuring children's safety and supporting them in their play and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the most of opportunities to extend and build on older and most-able children's learning.  Links with other settings that children attend are not fully established to complement children's learning experiences.

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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

 increase staff's understanding of how to extend and provide more challenge for older and most-able children to ensure consistently high-quality learning experiences  enhance communication links with other settings that children attend so that information can be shared to help plan activities more precisely that complement their learning experiences.

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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 staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as safeguarding policy and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup. She discussed the playgroup's self-evaluation.  The inspection completed a joint observation with the playgroup's manager.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. They take effective action to protect children's health, safety and well-being. Staff recruitment is robust. There are effective induction procedures, which contribute to the safe and efficient management of the playgroup. The manager provides strong leadership for her committed team. She works alongside staff and monitors their practice effectively. Ongoing training and staff training are valued. Regular supervision and team meetings are used well to identify areas to improve. Parents' views are regularly sought and their feedback is taken into account when developing the provision. Parents speak highly of the friendly, caring staff team and the welcoming and nurturing environment that they provide for their children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children show great confidence as they explore the stimulating environment happily, supported by attentive staff. Staff have a good knowledge of their key children and are confident to talk in detail about their development. They use regular observations and assessments effectively to identify individual children's next steps in learning and monitor their progress. They plan a range of interesting activities that motivate and engage children and promote all aspects of learning. For example, while out walking in the local area, staff encourage children to recognise and correctly identify numerals displayed in the environment. This is one of the many ways that staff support children's mathematical learning effectively.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children thrive in this warm and welcoming playgroup. They settle quickly and soon establish strong and respectful attachments with the playgroup staff. They demonstrate that they are happy and feel safe and secure in their care. Children develop a good sense of belonging and readily follow established routines. Staff support children to understand the importance of good personal hygiene and learn about healthy food choices. Staff provide children with a wide range of nutritious snacks. Children enjoy this social time when they can sit and talk with their friends and share home experiences with staff. Children are developing high levels of independence and even younger children understand the routine for clearing away their plates after snack.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those for whom the playgroup receive additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children of all ages are motivated and enthusiastic learners and demonstrate good levels of engagement in activities. They readily select from activities provided for them and lead their own play. Children show good levels of independence and are keen to do things for themselves. They develop strong friendships and become confident and articulate communicators. Children are developing the key skills needed in readiness for starting school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 119478 Local authority Southend on Sea Inspection number 1063578 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 42 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Friars Centre Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 July 2013 Telephone number 01702 292 516

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reference number

Friars Centre Playgroup registered in 1974. The playgroup employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 4pm.

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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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