Wetheral Playschool

Inspection of Wetheral Playschool Wetheral Village Community Hall, Wetheral, Carlisle CA4 8HE

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The caring staff nurture children's emotional well-being. They know children very well and respond to their every need. For example, if children are upset on arrival due to a break away from the playschool because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, staff swiftly offer opportunities for them to play and learn in the areas that they enjoy the most. This supports children to settle quickly and feel assured. Children are happy, comfortable and safe in the welcoming and appealing surroundings.

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The provision is good

Staff promote children's learning and development well. They support children to develop confidence and inspire them to believe that 'they are capable of achieving anything'. Younger children enjoy socialising with their friends during routines, such as snack time. They maintain attention during stories and talk about the objects that they see within the pictures. Older children develop good early writing skills. They distinguish between the marks they make and form some recognisable letters when writing their name.

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The provision is good

Younger children make their needs known. They seek support from the friendly staff when they need help. Children are caring and considerate to others. For example, when helping themselves to a drink of water, they kindly hand out cups to their friends who are waiting patiently. Older children are well mannered and polite. They willingly use phrases such as 'excuse me' to respectfully gain the attention of others.

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need to do better?

n The manager values her dedicated staff team. She provides regular support to staff, to help enhance their good practice. Staff source a range of training that is relevant to the needs of the children attending. For example, staff know that some children are less confident after having a break away from the playschool due to COVID-19. They focus their training and teaching on raising children's self-esteem. Children engage in the new experiences that staff provide. They eagerly open a box 'to see something amazing' and adopt a high sense of self- worth. For example, when they see themselves in a mirror. n Staff encourage children to explore the world around them. They alert children to living things that they see, such as a snail and engage them in conversation about this. Older children identify and describe special features, such as the shell. They observe the snail moving at a slow pace and express a desire for it to

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need to do better?

'go faster'. This demonstrates children's good understanding of simple mathematical concepts. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff exchange information with parents to keep them informed about their children's learning and progress. They provide

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need to do better?

5 July 2021 fun challenges, such as scavenger hunts, to help parents to build on their children's learning at home. Parents report that staff are helping children to gain an awareness of letters and sounds, ahead of their move on to school. However, staff do not share detailed information with other settings that children attend, to further promote continuity in their care, learning and development. n Children thoroughly enjoy listening to favourite stories, such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. Staff use these opportunities well to promote their good health. For example, they encourage children to try the healthy range of foods that are pictured in the story. This supports children to adopt healthy eating habits. n Overall, staff provide a broad range of experiences that build on what children know and enjoy. For example, to expand on children's knowledge of what lives under the sea, staff challenge them to create sea creatures using dough.

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need to do better?

Children use good physical skills to mould the dough to create a desired effect. However, the level of challenge presented to children during some group experiences is, occasionally, too high. For example, during music sessions, staff ask children to choose their favourite songs and then play these in a language that they are not fully familiar with. This causes children to become a little confused and hinders their ability to join in and build on their skills gradually. n The friendly staff welcome younger children to share information about themselves and their families. They engage in discussions with older children about events, such as an upcoming holiday. Children respond well to staff. They willingly express their thoughts for the future when talking about what they wish to be when they grow up. Children demonstrate respectful attitudes. They show their appreciation to those in the community that help them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are well trained. They have a good awareness of the indicators of abuse and know the procedures to follow to protect children's welfare. Staff are vigilant. For example, when sharing information on their social media page, they make sure that aspects such as children's names and pictures of their faces are not used. This helps to protect their identities. Staff take steps to minimise any risks. For example, when playing in the nearby field, staff use natural objects, such as the large trees, to inform children of their play boundaries. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n strengthen the links with other settings that children attend and share more in- depth information with them, to further promote continuity in children's care, learning and development

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should:

5 July 2021 n support staff to make more precise links between children's stages of development and the challenges they present during group experiences, to help children to become more deeply involved and build on their skills gradually.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY552715 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10144613 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person McDairmant, Sheila

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reference number

Telephone number 07531640868 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Wetheral Playschool registered in 2017 and operates from a room within Wetheral Village Community Hall. The playschool employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and one holds level 2. The playschool is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and on Friday from 9am to 12.30pm, for 38 weeks of the year. An optional 8.30am 'early bird' start is offered each day and an occasional holiday club runs during the school holidays. The playschool provides funded early education for two- three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk to show how the playschool is organised. The manager shared information about what they intend children to learn. n The inspector held discussions with the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She held a meeting with the manager. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included evidence of the suitability of staff, a record of staff qualifications and training, and policies and procedures.

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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

5 July 2021 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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