Castle Playgroup

Inspection of Castle Playgroup The Hut, Kirby Muxloe Village Hall, Station Road, Kirby Muxloe, LEICESTER LE9 2EN

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

There is a firm focus on immersing children into their immediate community to help them to acquire important social skills. The playgroup is very close to the local school. It sits in a unique location, where there are lots of opportunities for children to be physical and to explore the local environment. Children take part in experiences such as Parish council events, and they run free in the large open spaces and explore the local woodland.

p.2

The provision is good

Children form secure attachments with staff and their peers. They are happy, confident and motivated to learn. Children arrive for their session with a smile on their face. They greet staff warmly and instantly begin to play and explore the resources on offer. Children with less confidence show they feel safe to explore when their key person is close by to offer support and a guiding hand.

p.2

The provision is good

Children manage their feelings and behaviour well. They share, take turns and play harmoniously together. Staff have high expectations of children. They have a firm but fair approach to very minor lapses in behaviour. This helps children to learn about expectations. As a result, children show respect to staff, visitors and their peers.

p.2

need to do better?

n The qualified manager has a good understanding of what needs to be done to improve the playgroup, such as further developing the outdoor environment. She appreciates where the playgroup excels, such as parent partnerships and knowing the children and their families. n Staff create an environment that encourages and supports children to have a go and do things for themselves. This means children display good levels of confidence in their own abilities and resilience. However, staff occasionally miss opportunities to provide the highest level of challenge to children. n Staff provide opportunities for children to be independent and capable learners. They sound a tambourine to signal tidy-up time. Children listen to and follow instructions well and are happy and eager to help tidy away their toys. n Staff draw upon resources in the local community. This provides children with interesting learning opportunities, beyond those they might not otherwise

p.2

need to do better?

experience. For example, they attend storytelling sessions in the local library and events at the local school. This helps children to learn about their community and the wider world. n Staff make sure they cover all the areas of learning when they plan activities for children. They take account of children's interests and what they need to learn next. This contributes to children being ready for the next stage in their learning journey, such as starting school.

p.2

need to do better?

7 November 2019 n Staff read books with good expression. Children confidently answer questions about the story to show that they understand what happened and why. Consequently, children develop a love of books and build on their speaking and listening skills. n Staff use appropriate strategies to support those children who speak English as an additional language. Children have opportunities to hear and use their home language during their play. Staff use clear words in English and accompany these with gestures to extend children's vocabulary. n Staff ensure that children spend time outdoors each day and encourage them to develop their physical skills. Children show muscle strength when they kick a ball to each other. Other children develop good coordination as they send balls down a complex pipe system. They concentrate well and persist in perfecting the correct sequence required to catch the ball in a bucket at the end of the run.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff support parents to continue their children's learning at home. For example, they encourage parents to borrow books from a lending library so they can engage their children in reading activities at home. n Staff enjoy their work and this helps them to provide a welcoming and happy environment. They warmly welcome older children before and after their school day. Older children understand they must wait to play on the computer games. They appreciate there is a time limit to their screen time. n The manager has systems in place to monitor and support staff. However, these are not yet focused sharply enough on helping to enhance the quality of teaching to the highest levels.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Most staff are qualified and experienced. They are aware of the types of abuse and know their signs and symptoms. Furthermore, staff know how to respond to concerns about a child's welfare. The manager tests staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding through, for example, questions in one-to-one meetings. The manager and staff have a broad understanding of wider safeguarding issues and how to identify and report any concerns. The manager regularly reviews and adapts policies and procedures to ensure they contain the most up-to-date information.

p.3

should:

n extend the existing systems for supervision and monitoring of staff's teaching to provide the highest level of challenge to children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY544713 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10096259 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 11 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Quincey, Marie

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0116 2390306 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Castle Playgroup registered in 2017 and is located in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff, all of whom hold early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The out-of-school provision offers sessions from 7.30am until 8.30am and 3pm until 6pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

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 had a tour and completed a learning walk with the manager of the playgroup. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the playgroup manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup provider/manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection 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

7 November 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