Coleford St John's Playgroup

Coleford St John's Playgroup Bowens Hill Road, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8DU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 May 2018 14 October 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children thrive in this extremely caring environment. They have excellent self-esteem and their high levels of confidence show they feel very emotionally secure.  Staff complete extremely accurate assessments of children's learning. The playgroup leader monitors individual and groups of children's progress extensively. This helps to very quickly identify and address any gaps in children's achievements.  Staff form highly effective partnerships with parents and keep them very well informed about their children's progress. For example, children receive storybooks and holiday play packs to help continue their learning at home.  Children's behaviour is impeccable. Staff are exceptional role models and children copy their very positive attitudes and the kindness they demonstrate to others.  The playgroup has built excellent relationships with the host school. Children attend regular play sessions, lessons and events throughout the year. This improves continuity

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This provision is outstanding

in children's learning and helps to ensure a very successful transition on to school.  The playgroup leader and her staff are outstanding teachers. They are well qualified and use their knowledge and experience to provide exciting activities that capture children's imagination and curiosity.

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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

 continue to review and reflect on the impact of staff training and development, to maintain the high-quality provision and further enhance the excellent practice of the highly skilled team.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interactions with the children in play activities indoors and outdoors, looked at available resources and carried out a joint observation with the playgroup leader.  The inspector held discussions with the playgroup leader about leadership and management, safeguarding and how they evaluate practice.  The inspector held a discussion with the chairperson, and held discussions with parents and took account of their views.  The inspector looked at children's information, attendance records and developmental records, and talked to staff and children at appropriate times.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the committee and staff and checked staff qualifications.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Leaders are inspirational and demonstrate a strong desire to achieve excellence. They are continually looking at new initiatives and ideas for staff to enhance their already excellent skills and expertise. A current focus is to reflect on the impact of training even more precisely, to determine where further improvements can be made. Staff value the views and opinions of everyone connected to the playgroup to help continuously improve outcomes for children. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff give children's welfare and safety the utmost priority. They are vigilant, alert and confident in the procedure to follow should they have concerns about a child in their care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Children eagerly experiment and engage in new experiences that help to develop their critical-thinking skills. Staff promote children's understanding of the wider world superbly. For example, children asked to hold a wedding at the playgroup and invited parents to watch the event. Afterwards, staff extended this wonderful experience by talking with the children about the differences in families to be certain they supported their understanding of diversity. Staff plan activities well and merge different areas of learning in purposeful ways. For instance, staff consolidate children's early reading and writing skills. Children write invitations, draw pictures of special people and places, such as the Great Wall of China, and know that it can be seen from space.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Extremely strong relationships are evident in this stimulating and cheerful playgroup. Children instinctively invite staff into their activities and games and they have a very happy and enjoyable time together. Staff consult with children constantly and their views are thoroughly valued and acted on. One way staff achieve this is through the effective use of voting by children to help them make decisions. Staff support children's physical well-being and understanding of healthy lifestyles exceptionally well during daily routines, including sociable mealtimes, and by following positive hygiene practices.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their starting points and are exceptionally well prepared for school. They develop excellent communication skills, are inquisitive and ask questions. Children maintain excellent concentration for very long periods in their chosen activities. They gain a superb level of mathematical awareness. For example, older children share out amounts evenly using problem-solving skills. Younger children recognise numerals as they sort pebbles painted with numbers. Children practise writing, reading their names and spelling simple words.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 101728 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1126434 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 22 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Coleford St Johns Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 October 2015 Telephone number 07563664197

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reference number

Coleford St John's Playgroup registered in 1987. It is run by a parent committee. It is situated in Coleford at St John's Church of England Primary School. The playgroup operates Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.45am until 3pm and on Tuesday from midday until 3pm. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The committee employs three members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2. The playgroup leader holds a qualification at level 4.

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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

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