The Village Playgroup

Inspection of The Village Playgroup The Village Centre, Church Street, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6QE

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children show very high levels of engagement and confidence. As soon as they arrive, children are eager and confident to get involved in activities. Younger children have familiarised themselves very quickly and confidently with the routines. Children receive excellent emotional support and enjoy good relationships with staff.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is impeccable. They independently ask others to share with them and work out strategies to make sure that it is fair for everyone. Staff have high expectations of all children, and the children rise to these continuously.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are very articulate and, for example, some are keen to show visitors their favourite and ambitious dance moves. When asked what they like about playgroup, they say, 'I like playing everything.' The way that children communicate using sign language is inspirational. They solve problems, for example as a member of staff uses only signing to give children clues about who the 'helper of the day' could be.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are absolutely enthralled by favourite stories. They independently select puppets and re-enact 'The Three Little Pigs', using animation, intonation and familiar refrains to act out the different characters. Children show much pride in their achievements. For example, they draw a picture of themselves and say that they are taking it home for mummy because 'mummy will love the picture of me'.

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need to do better?

n Staff work tirelessly to set up a rich indoor and outdoor learning environment for children each day. Children thoroughly enjoy looking behind bushes in the field to find pictures of different animals and bugs. They collect water from the water butt to mix with sand. Children transport items in the wheelbarrow on their way to the logs and, together, they upturn them to find insects. n Staff's teaching skills are exemplary. They know the children exceptionally well and ensure that their individual needs and interests are prioritised. Staff skilfully structure and sequence their high-quality curriculum and adapt their teaching accordingly. They allow children to initiate their own thoughts and ideas, model what they are doing and ask open-ended questions to give children time to think. They skilfully consolidate and extend children's learning. For example, when children show an interest in a spirit level, staff show them how the bubble

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need to do better?

indicates whether something is level or not. Children giggle as the wind blows the curtain, and staff listen as children explore all sorts of ideas about why this is happening, even that it might be 'the big bad wolf' from a favourite story. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is excellent. All staff are consistent in their approach. Staff work very closely with

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need to do better?

8 February 2022 other professionals and parents. This means that children who require additional support make rapid progress from their starting points. n Children show amazing collaboration skills. They work together to solve puzzles, sensitively indicating to others when a piece is incorrectly placed. Children all take full responsibility for tidying up. They confidently sort items into a group. For example, children place all the name cards back on the board and sort these into their correct colour groups. Some children are extremely observant and confident to say when one is in the incorrect group. Some children show excellent skills and knowledge. For example, the most able children can sound out and recognise difficult words, identify many different countries on the world map and do simple sums. Staff are exemplary in identifying children's key strengths and extending this learning according to their needs. Therefore,

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need to do better?

children develop a real eagerness to learn more, which provides a secure foundation for when they start school. n Children enjoy healthy snacks and packed lunches. They develop high levels of independence, for example as they sanitise their hands without being prompted, select their cup and plate, pour their own drinks and clear their plates of waste. n Parents are extremely happy with the playgroup. They acknowledge that staff challenge their children so that they 'flourish and gain independence'. They say, 'Nothing is ever too much trouble for staff.' Communication with parents is superb. Staff use various methods to communicate with parents, including weekly emails, an online programme and books which go between playgroup and home. n The manager and staff constantly look at new ways to develop and improve their already high-quality provision. Staff supervision is highly effective in supporting staff's performance, professional development and well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have a very secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures and policies. They understand the signs that a child may be at risk of harm and/or neglect and the process for reporting or referring any concerns. This includes those they may have about a colleague's behaviour towards children. Staff have a strong understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as children being drawn into extremist views or radicalisation. Recruitment procedures are robust to ensure that only those suitable to work with children do so. Staff place utmost priority on the safety of children. Children show in their behaviours that they trust staff implicitly and feel extremely comfortable in their care.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 260895 Local authority Peterborough Inspection number 10137532 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 34 Name of registered person The Village Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07884151226 Date of previous inspection 28 September 2015

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Information about this early years setting

The Village Playgroup registered in 1999. The playgroup operates from The Village Centre in Werrington, near Peterborough. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 2.15pm. A lunch club also operates each day from 12.15pm until 1pm. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. 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 playgroup 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 playgroup. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together and discussed how the curriculum is organised. 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 at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the playgroup manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the playgroup manager. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup. n Some parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection and others provided

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Inspection activities

written feedback. The inspector 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

8 February 2022 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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