St Christopher's Playgroup (Warden Hill School)

St Christopher's Playgroup (Warden Hill School) Durham Close, Cheltenham, GL51 3DF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 May 2018 25 November 2015

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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

 Children enjoy the time they spend at the playgroup. They arrive happily and quickly settle. Staff are kind, caring and respond well to children's emotional needs. This helps to promote children's confidence and well-being.  Well-qualified staff provide children with a good range of activities and experiences. Children are engaged and motivated in their learning. All children make good progress in their development.  Good partnerships are in place with the host school. Staff support children very well as they move on to school. Children have regular opportunities to visit the school and this helps to promote their confidence.  Parents are very pleased with the playgroup. They say their children enjoy attending and the staff are 'fabulous'.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently share with parents children's identified next steps for learning to help them continue with their children's learning at home.  The manager does not reflect as effectively as possible on the quality of the provision and consider ways to make ongoing improvements.

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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 sharing information with parents to help them to continue with their children's learning at home  reflect more fully on the quality of the provision to identify quickly areas for improvement.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children in a range of activities.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the playgroup manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders, managers and staff have a good understanding of the local authority safeguarding procedures. They are confident with the process to follow should they have concerns about children's welfare. Staff are vigilant, supervise children well and maintain a safe environment. The manager supports staff's professional development well. All staff are qualified and attend further training that helps to support them in their role. The manager and staff effectively monitor children's progress, ensuring that they act on and plan for any identified gaps.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff gather important information from parents when children first start at the playgroup. They build on this information with their own observations and use this to help plan appropriate activities that are based on children's current interests. Staff interact well with children as they play. They ask well-chosen questions that encourage children to think and make links in their learning. Staff allow children plenty of time to think about their response. Children enjoy making masks and develop their imaginations as they create the different features. Children's communication and language skills are developing well. They confidently chat to staff and visitors.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children in the playgroup behave well. Staff are positive role models and help children to understand the rules of expected behaviour. Children learn to take turns, share and be kind to one another. For example, when children are asked to line up in pairs to go outside, those who do not have a partner are asked by others to come and join them. Staff praise children frequently to promote their self-esteem. Children follow good hygiene routines and have plenty of opportunities to be physically active. Staff encourage children to gain independence in their self-care needs, such as when they put their coats and boots on before going outside to play in the forest school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident and active learners. They concentrate for long periods and persevere with activities. Children practise their early writing skills and develop good pencil control. They are developing a love of books and enjoy listening to well-read stories. Children enjoy joining in with songs and rhymes. They are beginning to count and use number language in their play. Children are provided with the key skills needed for the next stage in their learning, including moving on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY340735 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1129625 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person St Christopher's Playgroup (Warden Hill) Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 November 2015 Telephone number 07914 740022

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reference number

St Christopher's Playgroup (Warden Hill School) registered in 2006 and operates on one day a week from a classroom within Warden Hill School in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. For the rest of the week, the playgroup operates from the church hall in Warden Hill. It is under a separate registration but is managed by the same committee and with the same staff team. The playgroup is open at this site from 9am to 1pm on Wednesdays during term time only. The playgroup employs four members of staff, of whom, one holds qualified teacher status and three hold qualifications at level 3. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years.

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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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