Newsome Pre-School Playgroup

Inspection of Newsome Pre-School Playgroup St Johns Church Hall, Newsome Road South, Huddersfield HD4 6JJ

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy, confident and settled. They have secure attachments to staff and are aware of the daily routines. On arrival, children hang up their coats and find their names on the board. They then place their name card in the 'emotions bag' that represents how they are feeling. Children are eager to join in with activities. They enjoy their learning and have fun in the accessible, safe and secure environment. All children behave well and play collaboratively during many activities.

p.2

The provision is good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of children have continued to attend. Staff supported families when children did not attend. For example, they shared activity ideas and videos of the pre-school through their social networking website. Staff also discussed managing children's potential anxieties on their return.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff plan a broad range of activities that engage and motivate children and prepare them for starting school. For example, children develop good physical skills which are essential for early writing. Younger children delight in hanging bangles on the branches of a miniature tree. They use large swirling movements to make marks with paint using brushes on a large piece of cloth. Older children are starting to write letters and they competently balance on planks.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff promote children's communication well, to help to support their future reading skills. They model language when children play, link activities to stories and explain the meaning of unfamiliar words. Children listen to staff's exciting storytelling. They join in with song books, imitate actions and guess what comes next. n Overall, staff demonstrate effective teaching. For example, as children roll conkers down plastic guttering, staff ignite their thinking skills. They ask children to predict what might happen if they raise the guttering, and children discover that the conkers roll down faster. However, staff do not consistently enable children to explore their own ideas and interests freely during some adult- directed art and craft activities. n The manager undertakes home visits, for instance to support new starters. She finds out about children's uniqueness and individual needs. Parents receive an

p.2

need to do better?

extensive welcome pack that informs them about the pre-school. This includes information on how they can jointly help children to lead healthy lifestyles. n Staff assess children's progress continuously, to plan for what they need to learn next. They swiftly identify and support children who are not working at expected levels. All children make good progress. This includes children with additional needs, children who speak English as an additional language and children in

p.2

need to do better?

13 October 2021 receipt of additional funding. n Staff encourage children to develop great independence. For example, children pour drinks, spread toppings on their toast and clear away their utensils. Children can also move freely between indoors and outdoors. However, staff do not always recognise when the newer younger children may need greater support. n Children respond well to staff's instructions, such as helping to tidy up. They are very sociable as they talk about the healthy food items in their lunch boxes. Children delight in looking at photos together and recalling past learning with staff. Older children are kind and caring. They hold younger children's hands to help them walk down the plank, for instance. n The manager and staff review practice together to identify areas for development, such as resuming the lending library that ceased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager monitors staff's practice and identifies

p.2

need to do better?

further training opportunities. These are precisely targeted to the needs of the children attending. n Children play together imaginatively. They mix soil, leaves and twigs in the exploratory kitchen. Older children explain that they are making 'strawberry cupcakes', which they skilfully count. n Staff help children to learn to keep themselves safe and healthy. Older children readily use hand gel. Children using climbing apparatus hold on carefully with a gentle reminder from staff. Staff use books and role play, for instance, to talk about oral hygiene. n Parents receive extensive information through the pre-school's social media website. Staff share children's progress summaries with parents. However, there is scope to develop ongoing communication, specifically between staff and their key children's parents.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider has thorough systems for recruiting and vetting staff, to ensure that individuals are suitable to care for children. Staff implement effective risk assessments, including those related to COVID-19, to promote children's health and safety. Staff have a good understanding of the indicators of child abuse and of how to report their concerns. They keep their knowledge up to date through refresher training and by completing quizzes at staff meetings. Staff work closely with other professionals to safeguard children. They demonstrate safe practices to help children stay safe. For example, they secure the church hall gates when children play outside, to prevent any unauthorised access.

p.3

should:

13 October 2021 n enhance teaching during adult-planned art and craft activities, to enable children to fully explore their own ideas and interests consistently n strengthen ongoing communication between parents and their child's key person, to optimise children's care and learning n provide greater levels of support for younger children, especially those who are new to the pre-school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 311300 Local authority Kirklees Inspection number 10063957 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Newsome Pre School Playgroup Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07895066912 Date of previous inspection 2 October 2015

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Newsome Pre-School Playgroup registered in 1992. The playgroup employs 10 members of childcare staff, four of whom are employed as relief staff. There are six members of staff who have appropriate early years qualifications. Of these, four hold qualifications at level 3, one holds a qualification at level 6, and the manager holds early years professional status. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 4pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 setting. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and carried out a learning walk with them. This helped the inspector to understand how the manager organises the early years provision and the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with children, parents and staff, including the deputy manager who is also the special educational needs coordinator. She also observed written feedback from parents through emails and the pre-school's social media website. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at various

p.6

Inspection activities

documents, including those related to the suitability and qualifications of staff.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

13 October 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7