St James Playgroup

Inspection of St James Playgroup Gledholt Methodist Church, Edgerton Grove Road, Gledholt, Huddersfield HD1 5QX

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The manager and her qualified staff team are committed to raising the quality of the provision. For instance, since the last inspection, they have significantly improved the systems for monitoring children's progress and planning to meet their individual needs. This contributes towards ensuring all children make good progress in their learning. Children enjoy accessing a variety of activities and a wide range of quality resources that capture their interest and keep them engaged and motivated to learn. Children receive a warm and friendly welcome from the caring and considerate staff when they arrive at the playgroup. They confidently take off and hang up their own coats and collect their name ready for group time.

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled. Younger children build strong relationships with staff and seek reassurance and comfort from them when required. Children behave well. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They successfully lead by example and are gentle, calm and well mannered. Children's physical development is supported well. They benefit from daily exercise and fresh air in the playgroup's garden. Children's engagement is good during singing times and they enthusiastically join in with actions, which helps to support their physical skills further.

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need to do better?

n Staff make the most of opportunities that arise to build on children's good mathematical skills. For instance, they encourage children to talk about the shape and colour of leaves they collect and to identify numbers they find hidden in the sand. At group time, staff encourage children to sequence the days of the week. n Parents speak positively about the quality of the playgroup and say their children are making good progress. They describe the staff as 'kind' and 'caring'. Parents comment on the strong bonds their children have made with their key person. Staff collect information from parents about children's interests when they first start. However, they do not gather enough detailed information from parents about children's capabilities at home when they start at the playgroup. n Staff provide children with experiences to help them to understand how different people live and how they celebrate. For instance, staff offer craft activities and

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need to do better?

opportunities to try food from different cultures. n Staff support children's language and communication skills well. For example, they talk continually to children about what they are doing and introduce new words as they play. Staff encourage older children to develop their thinking skills further. For instance, they encourage children to consider which animals might live in the jungle. n Children develop strong relationships with key members of staff and seek them

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need to do better?

14 October 2019 out to share experiences with. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Staff provide healthy foods at snack time and access to fresh water during the sessions. Children demonstrate good independence skills. They put their own coat on before going outdoors and confidently select their own activities. n Staff support children's literacy skills well. Older children identify the initial letter sounds in words and write their name on their artwork. Staff read stories with great enthusiasm. This captures children's interest and develops their listening skills. n Staff share pertinent information with schools when children leave. This helps to provide continuity in children's learning and care. However, staff do not work consistently in partnership with other early years settings that children currently attend to enhance and complement children's learning further.

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need to do better?

n The committee supports the manager and her staff team well to continually develop the provision and practice in the playgroup. Staff have regular supervisions and continual professional development opportunities. There is a clear vision for the playgroup, with plans to further develop the outdoor area. n Staff regularly provide children with positive praise for their achievements and help children understand behavioural expectations. For instance, they read stories to promote children's understanding of being kind and encourage children to think of ways they could be kind to each other in the playgroup.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The committee and manager carry out robust recruitment and induction procedures and monitor staff to ensure they remain suitable in their roles. Staff have a very good understanding of how to recognise and respond to any signs of abuse or extremist behaviour. They know who to contact to share any concerns they may have. A secure entry system is in place and staff monitor access to the playgroup. Children are well supervised throughout the day. Staff assess risk to minimise hazards in the play environments indoors and outdoors. This helps to promote children's safety and welfare at the highest level.

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should:

n work more closely with parents when children first start at the playgroup and gather more detailed information about what their children know and can already do n strengthen partnerships with other early years settings children attend and develop more effective ways to gather and share information about children's learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY339305 Local authority Kirklees Inspection number 10100118 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 3 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person St James Playgroup (Marsh) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07900853728 Date of previous inspection 1 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

St James Playgroup opened in 1966 and registered at the current premises in 2006. The playgroup employs three members of childcare staff, of whom two hold relevant qualifications at level 3 and and one at level 5. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm, during term time only.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and checked evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup and committee members. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager.

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Inspection activities

14 October 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

14 October 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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