St. Joseph's Playgroup

Inspection of St. Joseph's Playgroup St. Joseph's RC Primary School, North Road, HERTFORD SG14 2BU

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children's needs are understood from the very start. The manager and staff undertake home visits where they talk with parents to learn about each child's background. Every child's key person completes records that include information about children's care needs, interests and current abilities. The manager ensures that all statutory records are duly completed, and that parents understand and feel confident with the setting's policies and procedures.

p.2

The provision is good

Children show curiosity watching others and use the wide variety of toys available. They demonstrate care and consideration when inviting peers to join in games. For example, children take charge of the play market stall, calling out to others to make a purchase. Their game involves two-way conversations that reveal their ever-broadening vocabulary. In addition, children show they understand the concept of money in exchange for goods as they negotiate pretend prices.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are secure, feel safe and listen to each other and members of staff. They enjoy daily opportunities to share their ideas and try things out for themselves. For example, children enjoy rolling a rubber disc along the ground. Staff help to extend children's play as they talk with them about throwing and catching safely.

p.2

need to do better?

n Planned educational activities are designed, by staff, to give children the initial knowledge and physical skills they need to support their ongoing and future learning. Staff understand the areas of learning they teach and how young children learn best. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress. n Staff read to children, who respond well and have fun predicting what might happen next. Children enjoy familiar rhymes and songs that they learn by heart. They sing repeating phrases and match actions to words, laughing loudly and having fun, as they develop their listening skills while responding and moving to music. n Staff plan learning experiences that help children to expand their understanding of communities beyond their own. Children enjoy discovering the wider world as they explore other cultures and customs. They reveal their positive attitudes to

p.2

need to do better?

learning as they move around the setting. They show high levels of curiosity, watching others and joining in when they are ready. Relationships between children and staff are positive and respectful. Children's interactions show that they feel secure and safe in the playgroup. n Children are encouraged to think and learn about their emotions as they spend time with staff and share their feelings. The setting is calm, and behaviour is very good. Staff are very good role models. They help children to learn about

p.2

need to do better?

27 September 2019 the expectations of using listening ears, kind hands and walking feet. n Children play together and have fun solving problems. When a ball becomes trapped in a pipe, they work out how best to free it. With help from a member of staff and a long plastic stick they successfully free it. n Since the last inspection, the committee and newly appointed manager have worked very hard to make improvements. All staff know and understand their roles and responsibilities. The committee and manager have good systems in place for safe recruitment, induction and ongoing supervision of staff. Professional development is supported well, helping staff to build on their existing knowledge and skills. n The manager does not currently work, as well as possible, with staff at other settings that children attend, to better promote consistency in children's learning and development. n At times, staff do not make the most of opportunities to challenge and extend

p.2

need to do better?

children's learning as far as possible. n Parents are not always offered further guidance or ideas about how to extend their child's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The committee, manager and staff work well to ensure the smooth running of the setting. Attention to updating safeguarding training ensures that all staff remain familiar with current practice and legislation. They have a good understanding of how to deal promptly with any concerns about a child's welfare. The manager and staff know exactly who to contact and how to record child protection concerns. This positive practice helps to protect children's well-being. All staff remain vigilant of potential hazards within the setting and when using the host-school facilities. Good attention to pre-planning of daily routines and activities helps to ensure children remain safe.

p.3

should:

n strengthen partnership working with staff at other settings that children attend to support a more consistent approach to meeting all children's learning needs n support staff to further challenge and extend children's learning as far as possible n strengthen opportunities for sharing ideas and activities with parents to further support and extend their children's learning at home.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 401997 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10085674 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person St. Joseph's Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07814849274 Date of previous inspection 12 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

St. Joseph's Playgroup registered in 2002. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am to midday, and from midday to 3pm. There is a daily lunchtime club from midday to 1pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector reviewed records, including suitability checks for the committee, manager and staff. n The inspector observed staff practice with the manager, and together they discussed and evaluated an activity. n The inspector sought the views of children and parents during this inspection. n The inspector reviewed information provided by other professional agencies, the committee, manager and staff. n The inspector discussed with the manager how she reflects on, and develops, future practice.

p.4

Inspection activities

27 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

27 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