Rainbow Playgroup

Inspection of Rainbow Playgroup Coombes Community Centre, Burns Road, ROYSTON, Hertfordshire SG8 5PT

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a well-organised environment, indoors and outdoors, that enables them to make choices in their play. They access a vast array of resources that are carefully chosen by staff to complement their current interests. Outdoors, children seek out others to share experiences and use their imagination as they engage in role play and sing favourite songs they have learned.

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The provision is good

Children show a positive attitude to learning. They enjoy observing their surroundings with staff, taking note of a balloon stuck in a nearby tree and the changeable weather. They receive clear explanations to improve their understanding. For instance, children learn that the wind may blow the cereal oats around as they pour these between containers, so they carefully protect their faces.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from attentive staff who provide them with comfort and reassurance as they need. They feel safe to talk to them about their feelings and any minor worries that they have. An 'emotions board' staff have put into place helps to generate sensitive conversations as children tell them why they may feel happy or sad. Children are clear about the expectations for behaviour. For example, they learn to treat the resources with respect and know when it is time to sit and listen.

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need to do better?

n The provider has a clear and ambitious vision to help all children achieve their best possible outcomes. She works closely with the local authority to implement strategies to help close any gaps in the achievement for vulnerable or disadvantaged children. n Staff say they feel supported in their role and are extremely keen to continually develop their knowledge and skills. They talk enthusiastically about the wide range of online training they have access to and the positive impact this has on their practice. For instance, following a recent course, staff now run a yoga exercise session each day to help children to feel calm before story time. n Adult-led activities are planned well to help children learn long term what they have been taught. For example, each day during group time, children enjoy singing about the days of the week and know that positive behaviour is recognised through a star reward issued by staff.

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need to do better?

n Staff use clear pronunciation to model words for children as they engage them in conversation. They adopt skilful questioning techniques, listen carefully to what children have to say and give them ample time to talk about what they have been doing. n Staff are sensitive and unhurried in their approach as they support children who

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need to do better?

9 January 2020 need to be changed. They ensure all children have the opportunity to try a nutritious snack and have regular drinks during the session. This helps to support children's health and emotional well-being. n The provider is very keen to engage all parents in children's learning and regularly trials and introduces new processes. These aim to keep parents fully informed about what the provision has to offer and the progress their children make. Some of the ways she achieves this is through inviting parents in for an open day before their children start and then regularly welcoming them in to discuss and review their children's development. n Staff work cooperatively with other providers. For instance, they ensure they are aware of any childminders who share the care of the children and provide them with a copy of the regular playgroup newsletter. n At times, the provider does not share pertinent information with the

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need to do better?

management team or staff. For example, they are not all aware of the children who are in receipt of funded early education or when support has already been offered to parents of their key children. This does not always promote a consistent approach to support children's learning and development. n Although staff receive regular support through supervision meetings, the monitoring of their practice does not result in high-quality interactions across the provision. For example, although staff know the children well, on occasion, they miss prime opportunities to challenge them beyond what they already know and can do.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider has clear safeguarding policies in place and these are referred to and implemented as needed. Staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of abuse. They know the correct reporting procedures to follow in order to promote children's welfare. The process for staff recruitment and induction is robust. This helps to ensure that all adults who work with children are suitable to do so and that they are aware of their individual roles and responsibilities.

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should:

n review how information is shared between the provider, management team and staff to promote even more consistency in the support for children's learning and development n strengthen the focus on monitoring and evaluating staff's practice so that all children experience high-quality interactions across the provision.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 146864 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10127377 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 3 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Rainbow Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07712468677 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Rainbow Playgroup registered in 1988 and operates from Coombes Community Centre in Royston. It is overseen by a committee. The playgroup employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. This includes the provider, who holds an early years foundation degree at level 5. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until midday. The playgroup provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the provider and a walk around the playgroup to find out about children's learning experiences. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup and the current committee members. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

9 January 2020 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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