First Steps Playgroup

First Steps Playgroup Church Road, Nuneaton CV13 0EE

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Inspection date 25 October 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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Effectiveness of leadership and management Requires improvement

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3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

n The required progress check for children aged between two and three years has not been carried out for some children. Consequently, parents have not been fully informed of their children's stage of development. n Activities are not always planned well enough to help children who are taking part to be fully engaged and benefit from these experiences. n Staff do not gather enough information from parents about what their child already knows and can do, to help plan for children's learning from the start. n Children who prefer to learn outdoors have less opportunities to play and learn in their preferred environment.

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It has the following strengths

n Children enjoy their time in the playgroup. Staff are kind and caring and they are good role models for the children. Children form close relationships with staff, which supports their emotional well-being. n The manager completes staff supervisions, and these are used to help identify staff training needs. Staff access a suitable range of training opportunities to help develop their skills and knowledge. n Staff complete daily risk assessments to identify and minimise any potential hazards for children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date complete the progress check for children aged between two and three years, ensuring that parents are provided with a written summary of their child's progress in the prime areas of learning and development 23/11/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

develop the planning of activities to meet the individual needs and interests of children. 23/11/2018

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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

n gather more information from all parents to help staff to plan for children's learning when they start at the playgroup n give children who learn best outdoors more opportunities to play and learn in their preferred environment.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working within the playgroup. n The inspector sampled various documents, including risk assessments, a range of policies and procedures and the provider's evidence of self-evaluation. n The inspector engaged in a joint observation with the manager. She observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. n The inspector considered the views of parents in discussions during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

Some children have not received the statutory progress check for children aged between two and three years. Management have not put systems into place to ensure these are completed. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare and safety. Parents speak very positively about the playgroup and report that staff work closely with them to support their children. Overall, management use self-evaluation appropriately to identify areas for improvement, taking into account the views of parents. For example, the manager identified weaknesses in how children were being supported to develop literacy skills. She put into place training for staff to improve their knowledge of supporting children in this area.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The quality of teaching is variable. Some activities in the playgroup are not planned well enough to take into account children's individual needs. For example, children who prefer to learn outdoors have less opportunities to access this area and participate in challenging activities. However, when planned well, children remain engaged in activities of their choice. Children's communication and language skills are suitably promoted. Staff listen to their ideas and engage in meaningful conversations. For example, children play together and excitedly recall family holidays. Staff actively listen and support children to further their play, as they pretend to pack their suitcases.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Some daily routines do not take into account the individual needs of children. For instance, some group activities last for extended periods of time and children become disengaged or bored. However, flexible procedures help new children to quickly settle into the playgroup. Staff give the support children need to feel emotionally secure. For instance, younger children are given lots of cuddles and reassurance if they are upset. Staff provide opportunities for children to learn about other cultures. They encourage families to share their cultural backgrounds and festivals and provide children with experiences about traditions in other countries.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Weaknesses in the quality of teaching means not all children make good progress from their starting points. However, children gain some skills to help prepare them for their next steps in their learning and eventual move on to school. For example, they are building firm friendships and are learning to respect each other. When engaged in play of their choice, children persevere and concentrate during activities, demonstrating a positive attitude to their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538566 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10077183 Type of provision Full day care Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person First Steps Playgroup CIO

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01455 292083

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reference number

First Steps Playgroup re-registered in 2016. The playgroup employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3 and the manager holds a relevant qualification at level 6. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3.30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9am until midday on a Tuesday. The playgroup 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.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.

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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 .

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

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