Sparkhill Playgroup

Sparkhill Playgroup Sparkhill Centre, Stratford Road, Birmingham, West Midlands B11 4LE

p.1

Inspection date 2 October 2018 Previous inspection date 9 September 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

p.1

The provision is good

n The manager and staff ensure the learning environment provides a varied range of exciting opportunities that children enjoy. Resources are located easily, so all children can make independent play choices to extend their interests and develop new ones. n Staff are good role models for children. They interact positively with each other and form close bonds with children, helping them to feel safe and secure. n Teaching is tailored to children's individual interests. Parents are involved in decisions about their child's learning as they attend workshops. Staff share information with parents to help them guide their child's learning at home and provide them with activity bags. n Partnership with parents is effective and staff are bilingual. They are able to speak to children in their home language and interpret for parents. Parents speak positively about the staff and say their children enjoy attending.

p.1

The provision is good

n The provider and the manager demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the quality of the provision. Self-evaluation is ongoing and identifies the areas for improvement within the provision and outcomes for children.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

n During discussions, some staff do not always allow enough time for children to consider their responses. They occasionally miss opportunities to further develop children's vocabulary and critical thinking. n Staff do not always find out as much as possible from parents about what children already know and can do when they first start attending.

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

n develop further staff's skills in supporting children's speaking, listening and thinking n seek more detailed information from parents about children's capabilities when they first join the playgroup.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed activities and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the managers and staff, and talked with the children. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation, a sample of policies and procedures, children's records and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection and those in questionnaires.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff successfully identify and minimise any potential risks to children within the setting or on outings. Staff have a good knowledge of the signs of abuse and awareness of their responsibilities to protect children from harm. This helps to assure children's welfare. There are good arrangements in place to ensure that adults are suitable to work with children. Staff receive regular individual support meetings where they can seek advice and discuss their future training requirements. The manager monitors the educational programme as she uses appropriate guidance to track children's achievements. Any areas of learning that children fall behind with are quickly addressed to ensure the gaps are swiftly closed. Staff have close relationships with other agencies and ensure children who have special educational need get the support they need. Staff use a range of strategies to support

p.3

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

children's communication, such as signing and showing them picture cards of the routines.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children enjoy themselves at this very small playgroup. They have good access to toys and resources. Children are encouraged to use their skills as they try to predict which objects will float or sink in the water. They learn about objects that are heavy and light and they count with confidence. Children explore magnets and staff talk how they attract and stick onto each other. Children have great fun as they play with shredded paper; they throw it in the air and on the heads of staff and each other. Children learn about the seasons and enjoy using sponges in the shape of leaves to create autumn pictures. Staff make accurate assessments of children as they play. This information is used well to plan activities that help children to make progress in their learning. They assess and evaluate children's development across all areas of learning. This helps to ensure that any gaps in their learning are monitored and addressed.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are positive role models for children. Children are sociable and behave well. They consistently use good manners when talking to children and each other. Children show respect for each other. Children benefit from physical exercise as they access the indoor sports hall. They eagerly explore the space as they run around and engage in ball games, and move in and out of cones and pop-up tunnels. In addition, staff regularly take children for walks to local supermarkets and soft-play centres. This helps children learn about their community. Children learn about good safety procedures and hold the banister while walking up or downstairs, and engage in fire evacuation procedures.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are prepared well for starting school. They love books and eagerly join in stories. Children enjoy mark making in a variety of ways in good preparation for learning to write. They draw pictures and make marks in sand and paint. Children are confident communicators. They are happy and talk freely and enthusiastically to the staff and visitors about what they are doing.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY270574 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10061582 Type of provision Sessional day care

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Priority Area Playgroups

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 September 2015 Telephone number 0121 464 6270

p.4

reference number

Sparkhill Playgroup registered in 2004. It is part of a registered charity running a small chain of playgroups and nurseries. The playgroup employs three members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens term time only. Sessions are on Monday to Friday from 9am until midday and from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

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 monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.5

reference number

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

p.5