Derwent Road Playgroup

Derwent Road Playgroup Park Farm A C Y P Centre, Carr Mill Centre, 54 Kentmere Avenue, St. Helens, Lancashire WA11 7PG

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Inspection date 8 January 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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

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This provision is good

n The manager is determined to provide the best possible service for children and their families. She leads an enthusiastic and committed staff team. n Partnership working is effective and there are good levels of support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The manager and staff work very closely with parents and other professionals and ensure that children receive the targeted support they need. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They comment positively about the close relationships that staff have with children and that the playgroup is, 'Home from home'. Parents feel very well informed about their children's learning. Staff share plenty of ideas on how to continue this learning at home. n All children make good progress in their learning and development from the outset. Staff effectively promote children's understanding and speaking skills. For example, they speak clearly, repeat words and ask skilful questions during their discussions with

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This provision is good

children. Children are confident communicators. n Children arrive happy and eager to greet their friends and staff. They thoroughly enjoy the time they spend at this welcoming and friendly playgroup. Staff are kind and caring. They are good role models for behaviour and manners. Children behave well and show respect and kindness to their peers. n The arrangements in place for the supervision and professional development of staff are not precisely focused on raising the quality of teaching and practice to higher levels. n Occasionally, some staff do not utilise opportunities for younger children to develop their early number and counting skills further.

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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 focus supervision and professional development more precisely and help to raise the good quality of teaching and practice to even higher levels n enhance teaching and provide even more opportunities for younger children to build on their good number and counting skills.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector looked at all areas of the playgroup with the manager, including the outdoor environment. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. She observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager. She discussed self- evaluation processes and looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup. n The inspector completed an evaluation of an activity with the playgroup manager. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager regularly seeks the views of parents, staff and children to identify any areas for further improvement. She makes changes that benefit children's learning. For instance, the playgroup opening times have recently been adapted to better suit the needs of parents. The manager and staff understand their role to protect children. They know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. The manager and staff assess risk in all areas used by children. This helps to minimise hazards so that children can play in safety. There are effective procedures in place that are used well to ensure the safe use of mobile telephones in the playgroup. The manager ensures that required records are in place and stored securely, so that confidentiality is maintained.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Well-qualified staff carry out regular observations and assessments of children's learning. The manager uses this information to monitor children's development, to ensure that they make good progress. Staff speak to parents to find out about children's interests at home. This helps them to plan for what each child needs to learn next. Staff promote children's learning well. They provide a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities. Younger children are creative learners who enjoy exploring with their senses. They investigate the properties of cornflour and feel how it changes when water is added. Older children enjoy mixing paints, watch the effects and predict the colour changes. All children are motivated and keen to learn.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children learn about the importance of following good health and hygiene practice. For instance, staff encourage children to wash their hands before eating and after toileting. Staff provide healthy snacks that children enjoy. Children develop good levels of independence. For example, older children self-serve and help to lay the table at snack time. This helps them to gain a sense of responsibility. Staff promote children's physical skills well. For example, they encourage children to climb steps on the small slide and remind them to be careful as they slide down the ramp. This helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe. Children take turns to throw, roll and catch balls. Staff consistently praise and encourage children for their achievements. This helps to support their confidence and self-esteem effectively.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including children with SEND and those who are funded, make good progress from when they first start. Children are confident to engage in new social interactions, showing that they feel safe and secure. They develop good imaginary skills, demonstrated when they engage in pretending to cook eggs and sausages. Older children begin to coordinate movements in their hands and fingers in readiness for writing. For example, they use simple tools, such as tongs, to pick up fruit at snack time. Older children recognise and form letters from their name and show good literacy skills. Younger children enjoy participating in songs, displaying good listening and attention skills. All children are prepared well for future learning and school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559066 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10090639 Type of provision Sessional day care Registers Early Years Register

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Day care type

Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Derwent Road Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07543301452

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reference number

Derwent Road Playgroup registered in 2018. It is run by a committee and operates from designated areas in Park Farm community centre, in St. Helens. The setting is open Monday to Friday during term time only. Morning sessions are from 9.15am to 12.15pm on Tuesdays, and afternoon sessions are Monday to Friday from 1pm until 4pm. The setting employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 4 and four hold level 3. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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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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