Kingsway Playgroup and Pre-School Centre

Inspection of Kingsway Playgroup and Pre-School Centre St Patrick's RC Primary School, Littledale Avenue, Heysham, Morecambe, Lancashire LA3 2ER

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this outstanding playgroup. They enjoy extremely positive relationships with their key person and staff they regularly see. They arrive at playgroup eager to attend and capably complete the self-registration routine. Staff seize this time as an opportunity to enrich children's learning. For example, staff draw children's attention to the letters of their name as they post their label on the board. They encourage even the youngest children to attempt to write their name in the signing-in book. Staff show immensely high expectations of what each child can achieve. They provide children with endless time, patience and enthusiasm to help them succeed. As a result, children are highly motivated, show a determined attitude and persist in all areas of their learning. Staff celebrate children's achievements with a shower of praise. They talk in depth with children about the specific skills they have used before writing it down to add to the 'celebration tree'.

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The provision is outstanding

This helps children to recognise their own abilities and promotes excellent attitudes to learning. The manager is extremely passionate and dedicated to her role. She has an exceptional vision for the playgroup that is shared by the equally committed staff team. Together they work towards achieving the very highest outcomes for all children.

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need to do better?

n The ambitious and extremely well-considered curriculum is implemented with extraordinary success. Leaders and staff provide children with experiences that successfully build on their individual skills and knowledge. Staff use their observations of children's play to carefully consider the impact of planning on their continuous learning and to decide the skills children need to learn next. n Children consistently demonstrate the learning they have achieved and the great impact of staff teaching. Children use excellent imaginative skills to act out a familiar circle time activity. One child pretends to be a member of staff and reads to her peers sitting in front of her. She recalls the story exceptionally well and shares the book as if she was a member of staff. She then finds some laminated photographs used in a previous activity and asks the other children questions, again mimicking a member of staff. The group of children discuss the

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need to do better?

photographs together, using excellent communication skills to share their ideas and listening to what others have to say. n Following monitoring of children's progress, the manager found emerging gaps in children's mathematical development. Staff introduced an array of inspired and targeted programmes of support leading to exceptional progress for all children. For example, children confidently use advanced mathematical vocabulary and show an excellent understanding of positional language. n Parents are highly valued as their children's first educator and are widely involved in their children's learning. They contribute to assessments and are

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need to do better?

10 October 2019 consistently supported to continue learning at home. The playgroup lending library has impacted greatly on children's interest in reading at home. n The leadership and management of the playgroup are exceptionally strong. Rigorous performance management provides the manager with precise evaluations of staff teaching. For example, the manager uses the grade descriptors within the early years inspection handbook to reflect on where and how practice meets outstanding criteria. As a result, the quality of teaching is inspirational. n Staff morale is high. Staff feel highly valued and are provided with excellent support from the manager and team colleagues. Regular supervisions focus on qualification and training opportunities, practice targets and staff well-being. This helps to create a team of extremely well-qualified, skilled and high-spirited staff members. n Staff create a highly inclusive environment where children's uniqueness is

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need to do better?

celebrated at every opportunity. Children become fully immersed in the culture and traditions of other communities. For example, children delight in learning about the customs of traveller communities as they recreate a traditional horse fair in the role-play area. Children engage in lively conversations about living in a caravan and the differences there might be.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

A culture of vigilance is successfully embedded across the staff team. Staff have a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding and the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They are extremely confident in the procedure to follow in reporting any concerns. Managers are highly effective in ensuring that staff's training in safeguarding is up to date. For example, the manager uses scenarios during staff meetings to assess staff's awareness of various issues. When appointing new staff, the manager follows rigorous recruitment processes to assure herself that the staff are suitable and have the skills they need to take up their role at the playgroup.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY377498 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10109894 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 3 Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 26

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Name of registered person

Kingsway Playgroup and Pre-School Centre Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01524859261 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Kingsway Playgroup and Pre-School Centre registered in 2008. The pre-school is situated in Heysham in Morecambe and is open each weekday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, term time only. In total, six staff work at the playgroup, four of whom hold relevant qualifications. The playgroup receives funding to provide free early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the premises with the manager and held discussions about the early years provision and meeting children's needs. n A joint observation was carried out and the inspector took account of the manager's evaluations. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the playgroup's documentation. This included suitability checks on staff and safeguarding policies. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the manager to discuss leadership and management arrangements.

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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.

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Inspection activities

10 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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