Mount Scar Cygnets Playgroup

Inspection of Mount Scar Cygnets Playgroup Swanage Primary School, Mount Scar, Swanage, Dorset BH19 2EY

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children settle quickly on arrival and show how secure they feel as they move freely around the setting and choose what to do. They have easy access to a large range of resources that capture their interest. For example, they chose a basket of toys and told staff they would like to take it outside. Staff agreed that this was a good idea and enabled them to do so. Children enjoy warm relationships with staff and confidently ask them to join in with their play. Staff make good use of the environment to support children's learning. For example, they are carefully deployed to ensure that children can use the well-resourced outside play area throughout most of the day. Outdoors, children concentrated on building a large stretch of train track and others enjoyed the sand pit where they counted out loud as they used a spade to fill a container. Staff have high expectations of children. For example, younger children are encouraged to say 'good morning' at circle time

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The provision is good

and to pour their own drinks. Staff know the children well, which generally enables them to incorporate children's interests and next steps of learning into both planned and child-led activities. Children are well behaved. They play together happily and respond positively to staff reminders to use good manners. Children learn about differences and similarities. For example, there is a display to help children learn that there are different types of families. Children learn about disability as they listen to a story about a girl who uses a wheelchair.

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need to do better?

n Children are engaged and interested in a wide range of activities that help them to make good progress and prepare them for future success. Staff value their ideas and enable them to follow their interests. For example, when children listened to a story about a witch and wanted to find a broom and a hat, staff supported them to find suitable items. n Staff manage children's behaviour well. They act as good role models and remind children about taking turns and sharing. Children willingly follow instructions, such as going to wash their hands before eating snack. n The manager works in close partnership with other settings. She shares information about individual children and discusses good practice and current issues. She has established a good working relationship with a local day nursery to give parents the opportunity to access extended care for their children before and after playgroup. n Children learn about how to stay safe. For example, staff ask them to consider

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need to do better?

why they need to tidy toys away and children respond that it is because they could trip over them. Staff are vigilant about protecting children from the sun. They apply suncream to children before they go outside and ensure they wear a hat for protection. Children understand the reason for this. n The manager and staff place great emphasis on developing children's literacy

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need to do better?

19 September 2019 and communication skills. For example, they have set up a tent in the outdoor play area where children can sit and enjoy different books. They are also focusing on teaching children nursery rhymes. Children enjoy joining in with refrains and singing songs. n The manager engages well with the staff. She regularly meets with them to discuss their practice and any areas for development. In addition, she checks that they are managing their workload and that work is not having a negative impact on their well-being. n Staff and parents work in successful partnership. There is an effective two-way flow of information that enables staff to meet children's needs and to keep parents informed about their progress. Parents state that they are pleased with the progress their children are making. n Staff do not consistently extend children's learning as far as possible to help them make even better progress. Some staff are skilled at adapting activities to

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need to do better?

provide additional challenge and interest, but some are not as successful in moving children's learning on to an even higher level. n Children who need additional help with their speech development are well supported. The special needs coordinator draws up individual plans to focus on those areas where children need extra support. She works closely with other agencies to ensure that staff use effective teaching strategies. n Staff do not provide the best possible support for children who speak English as an additional language. There is a strong emphasis on inclusion and print in different languages is displayed. However, staff do not take further steps, such as making sufficient use of children's home language in the setting, to enhance children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff attend regular training to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date and are alert to the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm. They are clear that they have a responsibility to share their concerns with the designated safeguarding lead or go direct to the Local Safeguarding Children Board if necessary. Managers review procedures and make effective risk assessments to ensure that children play and learn in a safe environment.

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should:

n support staff to more consistently extend and challenge children's learning during planned activities and free play n enhance the support for children who speak English as an additional language.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 153459 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10123892 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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 26 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Mount Scar Cygnets Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01929 426 570 Date of previous inspection 14 January 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Mount Scar Cygnets Playgroup opened at its current premises in 1980. It is situated in the grounds of Swanage Primary School in Swanage, Dorset. The playgroup is open each weekday from 8.45am to 3.15pm, during term time only. It receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The playgroup employs nine members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, all hold relevant early years qualifications, including one who has a foundation degree.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to children, parents and staff. n A joint observation was completed with the manager. n The inspector observed staff interactions with children. n A sample of records was checked, including first-aid certificates, suitability checks and records of staff supervision meetings. n A meeting was held with the manager.

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Inspection activities

19 September 2019 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.

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Inspection activities

19 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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