The Crickets Playgroup

Inspection of The Crickets Playgroup St Johns Pavillion, Park Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8HG

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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

Children arrive happy. They independently self-register their arrival as they recognise and select their photograph or written name. They actively take a lead in choosing activities that interest them. As a result, children are inquisitive and active learners. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories being read by staff. Older children explore the meaning of words and illustrations. In addition, children who speak English as an additional language develop an increasing range of vocabulary. Children have ample opportunities to develop their literacy skills. Younger children use a range of resources such as chunky chalks and foam to make meaningful marks. Older children proudly write their names on their bonfire artwork that staff display.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a good range of suitable opportunities to develop their physical skills. They eagerly participate in games such as 'What's the time Mr Wolf' and practise developing their ball skills in outdoor play. This helps to ensure that all children have access to daily fresh air and exercise. Staff make good use of the local community. Children explore nature in the park that the playgroup is situated in and eagerly share the collection of leaves, conkers and fir cones. Parents share that they enjoy being part of this activity giving their children the opportunity to show them what they do at playgroup with one another.

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need to do better?

n The managers and staff have worked effectively to address areas raised at the last inspection. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) and key persons work closely with parents and have established good links with other early years professionals. This results in teaching being focused on meeting the unique needs of individual children, who catch up quickly and achieve well. n Overall, the quality of teaching is good. Staff plan suitable, challenging experiences to build on what children already know and can do. They plan specific activities such as role-play scenarios and story times that are targeted to support less confident children in developing friendships with others. This helps children's social and emotional development successfully. n Staff plan and provide an exciting range of activities that children enjoy and that build on their learning. However, staff are less confident in their knowledge of

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need to do better?

the intended learning outcome of some activities. This does not enable staff to consistently demonstrate high-quality interactions with children to extend their learning even further. n The effective key-person system helps staff to support and meet children's emotional needs. Children confidently approach staff for guidance and support or a reassuring cuddle. They are looked after by staff who know them extremely well and who are fully aware of each child's individual needs.

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need to do better?

19 November 2019 n Staff support children's knowledge of cultural diversity and celebrate festivals such as Diwali and Eid. However, sometimes they do not fully consider how to incorporate the cultural heritage of children into the general curriculum. n Members of the committee understand their roles and responsibilities. They are aware of the strengths of the playgroup and support the manager and staff team well. For example, staff have recently attended further training on managing children's behaviour, which is having a positive impact on boys' learning. They have introduced superhero play which captures the boys' imaginations and results in less over-energetic play. Children behave well. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents share that they feel involved in their children's learning and development. They receive information on the week's events and how to support their children's learning at home, and enjoy taking

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need to do better?

home activity packs that staff provide. Parents praise the way staff work with them to support and nurture their children in preparation for their future success.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are safe in the playgroup because staff demonstrate a good understanding of child protection procedures, which includes the referral process. Detailed written policies are reviewed with good frequency. All updates are highlighted and shared with staff and committee members so they are immediately aware of any changes. Thorough recruitment procedures and individual meetings take place to ensure staff are and remain suitable to care for children.

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should:

n consistently embed staff's knowledge of the intended purpose of each activity, to help improve their interaction with children when delivering the curriculum n strengthen the planning of the curriculum to reflect the heritage of the children and their families more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113761 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10112044 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 24 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person The Crickets Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01444247903 Date of previous inspection 22 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Crickets Playgroup registered in 1992 and is located in a sports pavilion in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The playgroup employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 9.15am until 1.15pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and discussed how resources are set out and how staff implement the curriculum. n The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including child protection procedures, evidence of staff's suitability checks and paediatric first-aid training, and the complaints log. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager, tracked three children and talked to staff to find out how they plan for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents to gain their views.

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Inspection activities

19 November 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 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.

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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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