Silverhill Playgroup

Inspection of Silverhill Playgroup St. Lukes Church Hall, Alma Terrace, ST. LEONARDS-ON-SEA, East Sussex TN37 6QT

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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 begin their day by entering a welcoming space with lots of choices available to ignite their interests. There are strong relationships between children and their friends, as well as with staff. Children's curiosity is captured by a large pile of cardboard boxes and the chance to play inside them. They observe a jar of frogspawn and explore what will happen next by looking at reference books and images. They settle quickly and feel safe and secure in the spacious environment.

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The provision is good

Staff plan carefully for children's learning and provide activities that appeal to their interests. They know children individually and how to take them forward to develop their knowledge and skills. Children show excitement to take home 'Bonnie' the cooking bear, and staff are keen to hear about their experiences at home.

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The provision is good

Children have an enthusiastic attitude and behave well. They approach staff for help with disagreements, which promotes a culture of respect. Older children negotiate their ideas in play and decide together what they will pretend the cardboard boxes are and where they will enter them. Younger children enjoy taking it in turns to scoop flavoured ice creams to each other when pretending to be a shopkeeper.

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need to do better?

n Children develop good communication and language skills. They walk to the local shop to buy ingredients to make pancakes. During the outing, they learn new words and use them in real-life situations. Children with speech delay are well supported and staff are passionate about making improvements. Adults and children use simple sign language to support those who need further development in their interactions. n Children benefit from many opportunities to practise physical control and spatial awareness in the large indoor play space. All children also enjoy the free flow to an outside area. They care for plants and flowers and explore water in buckets and jugs. n At snack times, children practise independence by pouring their own drinks. They take turns to be a helper and serve a variety of snacks shared from home. Staff encourage good manners and model using full sentences to request and decline offers of different items.

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need to do better?

n Staff monitor children's progress and take into account their interests and next steps. They successfully teach children new skills through planned activities, such as small-group work. However, at times, staff do not offer consistent encouragement and resources to help children to practise these new skills during their independent play. n Children play well together. Staff support their social skills by intervening

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need to do better?

2 March 2022 promptly to ensure that play continues without interruption and conflict. Children enjoy being rewarded through a 'star chart' that encourages kindness, helpfulness and sharing. If children need further support, staff make specific provision to ensure that there is a fair and consistent approach. Children access stories about different emotions, such as feeling worried, and there are 'feelings dolls' in a quiet area to help them to talk about how they feel. n Partnership with parents is good. Parents comment that staff are friendly and welcoming. Staff use a two-way daily communication book to share important information and updates about children's developmental progress. Parents feel that their children enjoy the playgroup and have settled well. n Children hear about their friends' cooking experiences with 'Bonnie' bear and have some opportunities to learn about diversity and the wider community.

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need to do better?

However, staff do not consistently encourage all children to share and delight in their various backgrounds and experiences at home. n Leaders offer staff regular support and supervision and encourage them to make use of opportunities for professional development. They continually reflect on the provision to identify any areas to improve. Leaders use funding effectively to offer a variety of well-targeted learning experiences which help to quickly close any gaps in children's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective and staff know the importance of keeping children safe. They act on concerns quickly and ensure that they record matters accurately and share information with the necessary support network. The leadership team and committee members ensure that their own and others' knowledge of child protection is up to date. The premises are secure. Parents complete forms for the correct administration of medicine, when needed. Staff work with external agencies to ensure that the welfare of the children and families in their care is paramount.

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should:

n provide more support for children to practise and further develop the new skills they learn in small groups, during their independent play n extend opportunities for children to share their backgrounds and home experiences, to further develop their understanding of different people and communities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109504 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10214072 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Silverhill Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07939113303 Date of previous inspection 3 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Silverhill Playgroup first opened in 1964. The playgroup opens during school term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9am to midday on Tuesday and Friday. There are seven members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The playgroup provides funded early years 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 deputy manager and the inspector had a learning walk together of all areas of the playgroup and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager and nominated individual about the leadership and management of the playgroup. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.

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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

2 March 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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