Bumblebees Playgroup

Inspection of Bumblebees Playgroup Appenine Way, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 3AJ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

The manager and staff have created a very inviting environment where children use mostly naturally sourced equipment and resources. They closely examine the effectiveness and safety of all resources and activities. They rigorously evaluate practice to ensure children enjoy memorable and rewarding experiences.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have fun together. For example, they harvest apples from a dwarf apple tree in the outdoor learning area. Under the guidance and supervision of staff, they independently work out how to succeed as a team and keep one another safe.

p.2

The provision is good

As staff pose questions and make suggestions, children become inquisitive to find answers. For example, children explore the shapes, textures and scents of different herbs. They practise using cutting tools safely to give the herbs 'haircuts'. They make herbal infusions and learn which plants are safe to eat. They remove plants from pots and investigate what holds the plant in the soil.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave very well. They join in decision-making and understand the rules. Staff get children to explain boundaries at the start of each session to ensure children understand how to keep themselves and each other safe.

p.2

The provision is good

Parents praise the methods that the setting employs. They say their children learn to manage themselves with increased confidence, and they are safe and happy at the setting.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team has a deep knowledge and understanding of the early years foundation stage. It leads a committed team of staff to work insightfully for children's development. n Staff use children's interests and inquisitiveness to develop plans. In the room for two-year-olds, staff and parents list each child's interests. n Each child has a key person who constantly checks their progress and adjusts teaching for maximum impact. All children make good progress, including those with special educational needs. n Staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of how children learn. They guide children to make small steps to build success quickly. For example, when children paint a bridge, a staff member asks what goes 'under' and 'over' each bridge. This helps children develop language skills and think through how things work. n Children frequently share books and become attentive listeners. They listen

p.2

need to do better?

carefully and join in with refrains in songs and stories. n During different activities, children develop precise muscle control towards

p.2

need to do better?

5 September 2019 holding a pencil correctly for writing. Children learn the sounds that letters represent and how to write their names. They are well prepared for the next stage in their education. n Staff speak kindly and considerately to children. Their exceptionally positive attitudes help children feel emotionally secure. Staff share and celebrate children's achievements. Children are motivated and sustain concentration. n Staff encourage children to choose for themselves from a very young age. Staff recently evaluated how resources are stored and have reorganised systems so children can easily access popular resources. Children respect and maintain the well-organised environment. n Children get fresh air and exercise in the outdoor area. They enthusiastically extend their physical skills on large play equipment. Older children choose whether to scale the wall or use stairs to the slide. Younger children challenge

p.2

need to do better?

themselves with balancing bars or walking on stilts. n Children develop life skills in well-organised role-play areas. They dress up as firefighters and pretend to drive a fire engine. Older children set out a pretend tea party. They count plates and cups for visitors. Children use good-quality items and treat them with great care. They feel trusted and valued. n Staff encourage and help children to meet their own personal needs as soon as they are ready. Children learn to take rests when needed. They learn to look after themselves, each other and the environment. n The management team carries out detailed observations and supervisions to target training and ensure staff always know how well they are progressing towards well-defined goals. n The manager works with other professionals as part of her continuous improvement plans. Following recent training, staff now have a more in-depth knowledge of how to help young children gain confidence in their speaking skills.

p.3

need to do better?

n Staff do not consistently use all opportunities to extend children's mathematical knowledge and skills during activities.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff understand their responsibilities in relation to child protection issues very well. They know how to report any child welfare concerns to the relevant professionals. Staff receive regular up-to-date training. All staff receive a thorough induction and are vetted closely to confirm their suitability to work with children. All activities and visits are stringently risk assessed to ensure children are safe.

p.3

should:

n improve teaching to develop children's mathematical skills further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY309643 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10073544 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Bumble Bees Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01525 853333 Date of previous inspection 29 February 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Bumblebees Playgroup registered in 2005. It is located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The setting is situated in the grounds of Beaudesert Lower School. It opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to midday, from midday to 3pm or from 9am to 3pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It employs eight members of staff. All staff hold early years qualifications at level 3.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed activities, indoors and outdoors, and conducted a joint observation with the manager. n At appropriate times throughout the inspection, the inspector held meetings with the manager and spoke with staff and children. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including children's assessments and planning documentation, the setting's risk assessments and safety records. n The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working within the setting. She discussed the setting's self-evaluation. n During the inspection, the inspector spoke to a selection of parents and took account of their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.5

Inspection activities

5 September 2019 regulates and inspects to 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.5

Inspection activities

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.6

Inspection activities

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.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6