Blenheim Playgroup

Inspection of Blenheim Playgroup Blenheim House, Oxford Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF13 4LN

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and safe in this inviting and stimulating setting. They arrive eager to join in with the wide range of activities and experiences on offer. Children have close bonds with staff and spend plenty of time during the session with their key person. Children are confident, friendly and sociable. They play cooperatively with their peers. For example, children use magnetic bricks to build a house. They work together to add different components and discuss how to make it higher. Staff are good role models and have high expectations for all children. They interact with children in a positive way and give them plenty of praise and encouragement as they develop new skills. For example, after listening to 'The Gingerbread Man', children help to make gingerbread biscuits. Staff talk to children about the ingredients they are using and link this to the story, to check what children have remembered.

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The provision is good

Children listen carefully to staff and are well behaved. Staff teach children about respect, tolerance and kindness. The setting is inclusive. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well to make progress. Staff work closely with outside agencies and other professionals to give children the help and support that they need.

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need to do better?

n Leaders' and managers' intent for the curriculum is clear. Overall, staff plan and implement a curriculum that is designed to give all children the skills, knowledge and understanding that they need for their future learning. Staff plan enjoyable activities that children are keen to take part in. However, staff do not consistently support children's mathematical skills as effectively as possible. n Staff know their key children well and make regular observations and assessments of their individual learning. They have a clear intent of what they want children to learn next. Children spend time each day in key-person groups and staff work hard to make sure that planned activities are carefully matched to children's interests and learning needs. However, because children spend a large proportion of time in key-person groups, which are often adult-directed, they have limited opportunities to explore and direct their own play.

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need to do better?

n Children are supported well to develop a love of books. Staff are skilled at capturing children's interest in stories. Older children listen intently as staff read stories in an expressive way. Staff encourage children to participate and make predictions about what will happen next. n Children are independent. They take pride in carrying out small tasks and meeting their own self-care needs, such as putting on their own coats and hats before they go outside. n Children are active and have plenty of opportunities to get fresh air daily. They

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need to do better?

23 November 2021 play in the nursery garden and have access to a wide range of resources and equipment, which help them to develop their physical skills and coordination. Children ride on bikes, build dens and use wooden bricks to make a path. They carefully walk along the path, using their arms to help them balance. n The setting is community-based and children learn about different people, cultures and beliefs through books, activities and discussions. Children frequently go for walks to the local shops, library and post office. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, children visited the local care home where they did craft activities and singing with the residents. Leaders and staff are keen to start this again once they are able. n Parents are happy with the care and education their children receive at the setting and praise leaders and staff. They say that they are kept well informed about what their children are learning through an online application and verbal

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need to do better?

discussions. Staff give parents advice about how they can further support children's learning at home. Children regularly take home a 'homework bag' with activities for them to do at home. n The leadership team is strong. Leaders support staff well to develop their skills and knowledge. Staff undertake regular training opportunities which help them to develop their practice. There are robust performance management procedures in place for staff, including appraisals, supervisions and peer observations.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. They know how to recognise the possible signs of abuse and neglect. They are aware of the procedures to follow to report any concerns they may have about children or a member of staff. They understand how to protect children from being exposed to extreme views and opinions. Recruitment processes are robust to help ensure the suitability of adults working with children. The deployment of staff is well organised so that children are always supervised. Attentive staff stay close by and reassure children as they learn to use equipment safely.

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should:

n help all staff to gain a better understanding of how to fully support children's mathematics skills n extend opportunities for children to engage in self-chosen activities, to help them to play independently and direct their own learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY348000 Local authority Kirklees Inspection number 10063975 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

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Pandor, Safira

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reference number

Telephone number 07850762391 Date of previous inspection 13 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Blenheim Playgroup was registered in 2007. There are 10 members of staff. Of these, one holds a relevant qualification at level 2, six at level 3, two at level 5 and one with early years teacher status. The playgroup opens term time only from 8.30am to 11.30am and 12.15pm to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday. A lunch club operates each day. The playgroup 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 inspector and the governance manager completed a learning walk to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint evaluation of an activity was conducted by the inspector and the governance manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and governance manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff. n Children interacted with and spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection to gather their views and opinions about the setting.

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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

23 November 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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