Butterflies Playgroup

Inspection of Butterflies Playgroup St Mary's Church Centre, 44 Moss Lane, Sale, Cheshire M33 6GD

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The setting has undergone a recent period of change and standards since the last inspection have declined. However, the recently appointed acting manager has quickly identified areas that require improvement. Along with the established deputy manager, she is working hard to put plans in place to bring about change for children. However, plans are still in their infancy.

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The provision requires improvement

Some children are supported by staff who have very recently been appointed to their roles and are still getting to know the children in their care. This means that staff expectations and the quality of teaching are variable. Not all children are consistently provided with well-planned opportunities and experiences that build on what they already know and can do. That said, staff are committed and determined to provide a good quality of education.

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The provision requires improvement

Although there are areas that require improvement, there are also some positive aspects of practice. Children arrive and eagerly join in activities, based on their interests, with their friends. They are warmly welcomed by staff, who join them in the activities of their choosing. Children enjoy their time at the playgroup and behave well. They are encouraged to share and are given gentle reminders from staff to be mindful of their safety. For example, children are reminded to walk and not to run in the hall.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of important changes, such as an extension to the opening times of the playgroup. Ofsted have only recently been made aware of the absence of the playgroup manager. A number of new staff have been appointed to the playgroup. The committee have followed robust recruitment and vetting procedures. They have taken steps to ensure that only staff whose suitability has been thoroughly checked with the Disclosure and Barring Service can conduct the personal care that some children require. n Staff receive an induction when they begin to work at the setting. However, the ongoing arrangements for the supervision, coaching and monitoring of both the manager and the staff needs to be strengthened. Support is not yet frequent or precise enough to support staff in bringing about the required improvements and enhance their skills further. n Newly appointed staff act as the key workers for some of the children. They are

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need to do better?

still getting to know the children they support. Although highly motivated, newer staff provide activities based on children's interests, they do not yet precisely identify what children need to learn next. This means that activities provided for some children are not always precisely targeted on enhancing their learning and building coherently on what children already know and can do.

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need to do better?

16 March 2022 n Throughout the playgroup, children can be seen talking with staff who show genuine interest in what children do. Children enter into conversations with staff and each other. For example, children playing with dinosaurs in coloured rice eagerly roar and talk to staff about the size of their favourite dinosaurs' teeth. Overall, staff support children to develop their communication skills effectively. They ask questions, model language for children to repeat, and introduce new words at story time, such as 'salami'. While most children enjoy story times, sometimes, the group is too large and younger children find it difficult to sustain their attention and they become distracted. n Children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained environment. Staff have begun to audit the extensive range of resources available to ensure that children have continued access to good quality resources. Staff promote children's good

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need to do better?

health well. They provide a range of healthy snacks and ensure that children have plentiful opportunities for fresh air in the playgroup garden. Children are consistently reminded of the importance of blowing their nose and covering their mouths when they cough, to minimise the potential spread of infection. n Parents recognise that there have recently been significant changes at the playgroup. Most parents spoken to would recommend the playgroup to other families. However, the changes have left some parents feeling unsettled, as they know their children are no longer supported by well-established staff. They are, however, keen to develop effective partnerships with the new staff who care for their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff are able to identify if a child is at risk of possible harm and know the procedures to follow to report concerns about a child's welfare. This includes the pre-school's whistle-blowing procedures. The designated leads for safeguarding and staff refresh their safeguarding knowledge when they access regular training courses and attend team meetings. They have a good understanding of child protection and current legislation, such as the 'Prevent' duty. Staff conduct daily risk assessment checks of the environment and take steps to minimise any potential risk to children.

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Due date

16 March 2022 ensure that all children are supported by a key person who knows them well and can provide a curriculum which builds coherently on what all children already know and can do 25/04/2022

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Due date

provide appropriate monitoring and support to all staff, including the manager in order to help them fulfil their roles effectively. 30/05/2022

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should:

n review the organisation of group activities to help to ensure that all children get the most from the learning experience n support new staff in developing positive, effective partnerships with parents, so that all parents are provided with every opportunity to be involved in their child's learning at playgroup.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 318699 Local authority Trafford Inspection number 10109876 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 41

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Name of registered person

The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Mary Magdalene, Ashton Upon Mersey

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 291 9283 Date of previous inspection 19 June 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Butterflies Playgroup was registered in 1997. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff, including the manager. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup is open from 9am until midday on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 9am until 6pm on Tuesday and Friday, term time only. 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 acting manager and the inspector jointly observed and evaluated staff practice. n The inspector spoke to parents and considered their views. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks. n The inspector observed the quality of education provided and the impact on children's learning. n Discussions were held with the acting manager, the deputy manager and staff. n The acting manager and deputy manager spoke with the inspector about the intent of the curriculum.

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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

16 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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