Bobtails Playgroup

Inspection of Bobtails Playgroup Bobtails Play Group, 8a Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, WARE, Hertfordshire SG12 8EZ

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle quickly and find something to do as soon as they arrive. They are enthusiastic learners and enjoy coming in to see staff and their friends. Children show good problem-solving skills, for example fetching utensils from the play kitchen to transport water into a river for their toy cars. They love reading their favourite stories that staff present with an interesting selection of props to bring the book to life. Children listen to 'Dear Zoo' and act out the various animals, enthusiastically making the animal noises. They stretch up to be a giraffe and roar like a lion.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are often well focused and become deeply involved in some activities that spark their interests. For example, they examine spiders on a web that they find in the garden. They fetch magnifying glasses and carefully look for different features of the creatures. They compare them with toy insects they have buried in their sandpit and sing 'Incy Wincey Spider' as they investigate a spider web. Staff are adept at responding to children's interests and help them to try things for themselves. Children learn different features of materials as they explore melting and freezing. They tell adults that ice is 'solid' and water is 'liquid'.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers have high expectations of staff and are committed to bringing about improvements to the playgroup. They have made significant changes since the last inspection and continue to identify clear priorities for development. Staff have access to a broad range of training that supports them to continue to develop their practice and raise the quality of provision. n Staff are enthusiastic and know children's needs really well. They manage children's behaviour effectively and minor disputes are handled quickly. Children have space to explore the playgroup safely. They take managed risks, such as using scissors to cut ribbons of dinosaurs as they practise their hand skills. They are able to complete many self-care tasks, for example washing their hands and putting their own coats on. They enjoy exploring water play, tipping and pouring as they make mixtures from water, fruit juice and fresh fruit. Staff help them to

p.2

need to do better?

learn new words. For example, they encourage children to share a different word for 'big', such as 'gigantic' and 'huge'. n Overall, the playgroup works successfully in partnership with other settings that children attend, and with other professionals involved in children's lives. Some aspects of children's learning are not thoroughly embedded between playgroup and other settings to ensure a consistent approach. For example, staff do not ensure they follow the same method as nursery towards children's literacy development. n Generally children are well engaged and become deeply involved in play. Some

p.2

need to do better?

5 July 2021 larger group activities are not as well planned for as other opportunities for learning. For example, sometimes there are not enough staff at a particular activity to deliver high-quality interactions with all the children who want to join in. n Parents are extremely pleased with the playgroup and praise the dedication that staff showed during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They enjoyed receiving resources, activity ideas and videos from staff, especially while isolating. This helped their children to settle back in quickly when playgroup reopened. n Staff encourage all children's language development particularly effectively, including when children have a recognised speech delay. There are procedures in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The playgroup uses any additional funding successfully for children to meet their specific needs. For example, children attend for longer to help them get ready

p.2

need to do better?

for the move to school. n The premises are safe and secure. Managers and staff risk assess thoroughly to ensure that areas used by children are safe and suitable for their needs. Procedures, such as those to ensure the suitability of visitors to the playgroup, are robust.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff all know how to follow the clear procedures that are in line with local processes and attend regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. They are familiar with signs of concern, including broader safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation. Persons with designated responsibility for safeguarding understand and follow procedures to recognise and refer concerns without delay. They are vigilant about children's safety and well-being. They work closely with any other relevant agencies.

p.3

should:

n continue to develop partnerships with other settings that children attend to promote a consistent approach to all areas of children's learning, particularly in relation to their literacy development n manage the planning of large group activities to enable staff to meet the learning needs of any children who wish to join in more successfully.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY418533 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10149808 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Bobtails Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01920871273 Date of previous inspection 6 March 2020

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Bobtails Playgroup registered in 2010. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. All of these hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during the school term times. Sessions are from 9am until midday on Tuesday and Thursday, and from 9am until 3.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection and shared their views about the pre-school. n The manager, deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

p.5

Inspection activities

their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school, and the pre-school committee.

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

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.

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