St Mark's Pre-School Playgroup

St Mark's Pre-School Playgroup St Marks Church Hall, North Road, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL1 3BH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 June 2018 5 March 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

 Overall, teaching is good. Well-qualified staff use a wide range of effective strategies to support children's ongoing development. Children make good progress in their learning.  Children's assessment information is reviewed thoroughly. This helps to identify areas where children may require further support, to narrow any possible gaps in their learning.  Arrangements for reviewing and evaluating the quality of the playgroup are good. Areas for future development are identified, taking full account of the views of staff, parents and children.  Staff provide a highly stimulating environment, especially for those children who prefer to learn outdoors. Children show high levels of concentration and engagement in the range of experiences provided for them.  Children behave well. Staff help them to develop an understanding of age-appropriate rules and boundaries in the playgroup.  The manager demonstrates a proactive attitude to working in partnership with local

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This provision is good

schools and external professionals, who may also be involved with children, to support their individual needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not provide consistently high levels of challenge as children play and engage in activities to support them to make the highest levels of progress in their learning.

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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

 provide consistently high levels of challenge during activities to help children make the best possible progress in their learning.

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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 with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the playgroup manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.  The inspector spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager works alongside staff in the playgroup. She gains first-hand knowledge of activities planned for children to ensure they take account of their interests and stage of development. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The attentive staff team places children's safety and well-being at the heart of their practice. The environment, indoors and outdoors, is secure. Children are supervised well at all times. Staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures. They know how to act and who to contact should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their role. They know to inform the manager if there are any changes in their personal circumstances that may affect their suitability. Staff are supported well by the manager and her deputy. Ongoing training and supervision meetings help staff to reflect upon their role and improve their overall practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff join in sensitively with children's play. They fit in with their ideas and take an active part in their learning. For example, staff respond appropriately when children ask them to draw around their body on the ground using chalk. They count children's fingers as they complete the task, promoting their mathematical skills successfully. Children's communication skills are developing well. Staff help them to build up the breadth of their vocabulary by using strategies, such as naming the objects they are playing with. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child's learning. For example, they attend stay-and-play sessions where they play and learn alongside their children.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy the time they spend at the welcoming and friendly playgroup. They are developing as confident, motivated learners. Children make strong relationships with the staff team and their peers. Staff are consistently available and respond extremely well to children's emotional needs. For example, staff respond appropriately and sensitively when children put their arms out and request cuddles from them. Parents are delighted with the quality of the playgroup. They say their children benefit from flexible settling-in procedures that are based on the individual needs of each child. High-quality information gained from parents, when children first start attending, ensures a consistent approach to meeting children's emotional and physical needs.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They develop key skills and knowledge that form a strong foundation for their future learning in school. Children demonstrate very good literacy skills for their age. They confidently hold pencils, using a correct grip and form all letters in their name. Children listen attentively to stories read aloud to them. They listen and respond appropriately to ideas and comments expressed by others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301174 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 1090522 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 26 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person St Mark's Pre-School Playgroup

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 March 2015 Telephone number 07768 400316

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reference number

St Mark's Pre-School Playgroup registered in 1985. The playgroup employs six members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or higher. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.15pm. The nursery provides funded early 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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