Stepping Stones Playgroup (Dursley)

Stepping Stones Playgroup (Dursley) Dursley C of E Primary School, School Road, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4NZ

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 May 2018 28 September 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children have a strong sense of belonging and are emotionally secure. They form very close bonds with the staff, who help them to feel valued members of the group.  Children's behaviour is very good. Staff place a strong focus on teaching children to play well together, and to understand and respect the needs of others.  Staff work closely with parents and other settings that children attend, to keep them well informed of children's progress. They provide helpful advice and activities, for example, in an area for parents on their website, to help them support their children's learning.  The manager accurately monitors children's development. Staff tailor activities so each child makes good progress, including those at risk of falling behind and the most able.  Managers are passionate and ambitious. They have developed a well-informed culture that drives improvement forward. For example, they regularly monitor the quality of

p.1

This provision is good

teaching, and ensure staff receive appropriate support and training.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, staff miss opportunities to support and encourage the involvement of younger children in large-group activities.  At times, staff do not make the most of opportunities to support children's skills and understanding of using technology.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 support staff in identifying ways to encourage younger children to join in fully and make the most of group activities  extend the use of technology to increase further opportunities for children's understanding of the world.

p.2

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 manager.  The inspector held discussions with the manager and deputy manager about leadership and management, safeguarding and how they evaluate practice.  The inspector held a discussion with the chairperson, and 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 reviewed staff qualifications.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The committee has a sound understanding of its key responsibilities and ensures the playgroup is well organised. The staff work well together and are skilled at evaluating the quality of the provision. For example, they have reflected on the quality of the playgroup and introduced resources that engage children outside, such as a large climbing structure. This has improved children's physical coordination skills and encouraged younger children's imaginations. Safeguarding is effective. Leaders and staff have a very good understanding of safeguarding procedures and child protection issues.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Well-qualified and experienced staff provide imaginative ways to help children learn through their own interests. They offer very good support for children's language and communication skills. For example, staff engage children in a discussion about diggers, and comment about the tracks they make and heavy loads they carry. Staff use this interest to encourage children to make marks, and use model diggers in sand to practise making letters and shapes. Additionally, staff use children's fascination with shapes to help them explore counting, compare sizes, make patterns and act out favourite stories. They provide props and teach them songs and rhymes about shapes. Children ask staff to share their favourite song with their parents and staff provide a song sheet for them. This helps parents to share in their children's learning at home.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have lots of fun at this very welcoming and friendly playgroup. They settle quickly and greet friends and staff cheerfully. Staff praise children's positive behaviour and achievements, and reinforce boundaries consistently. Children understand what is expected of them, are confident and feel good about themselves. Staff give children clear messages about the importance of healthy lifestyles and they learn through daily activities, such as preparing vegetables and energetic exercise. Children play outdoors every day. This provides excellent opportunities for children to manage risks, for example, as they balance on plastic bucket stilts. Children show a keen interest in the natural world. Staff teach them how to care for living things and provide, for example, tadpoles and butterfly eggs for children to look after to increase their understanding.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children develop good skills that prepare them well for their next stages of learning and school. During routines and activities, they count, identify shapes and solve simple sums and puzzles. Children develop their early writing skills as they make marks on whiteboards and paper to represent their names. Children of all ages have good access to books. Older children begin to hear sounds in words and link them to letters.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 101730 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1126435 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 24 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Playgroup (Dursley) Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 28 September 2015 Telephone number 01453 544588

p.4

reference number

Stepping Stones Playgroup (Dursley) registered in 1993. It is a committee-run group and operates from a building in the grounds of Dursley Primary School in Dursley, Gloucestershire. Playgroup sessions run term time only, from 9am until 2pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9am until midday on Wednesday. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The committee employs six members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, the manager and deputy hold an early years qualification at level 6 and four staff hold qualifications at level 3.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5