Chewton Common Playgroup

Inspection of Chewton Common Playgroup Highcliffe St Mark Primary School, Greenways, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 5AZ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and ready to learn at this welcoming and friendly playgroup. They develop strong relationships with the caring staff and show that they feel safe and secure in their care. Children are confident and have fun as they become absorbed in activities.

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The provision is good

Children play cooperatively and behave well. They show consideration for others and learn to share and take turns. Friendships have formed among the children, and they play happily alongside others. Children express themselves confidently and choose where and what they want to play with from a wide range of well- thought-out resources and activities.

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The provision is good

Children are physically active every day, indoors and outdoors. They have regular visits from a music teacher. Children apply the physical skills they have learned while they join in with actions to songs and learn about beat and rhythm. Children know that they need to wait for their turn to use the large drum, and most manage this well. Children enjoy activities outdoors. They practise their good skills while climbing, swinging, jumping, and balancing on stepping stones and beams.

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The provision is good

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents do not enter the playgroup in the usual way. Staff collect children individually at the gate and ensure that any important information is still exchanged with parents.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a good balance of adult- and child-initiated activities to help children build on what they already know. For example, staff recognise that children enjoy playing with large tubes outdoors. They use this interest to extend children's understanding of construction and problem-solving. Children and staff work together to build a cosy den with a roof in the garden. However, some staff are not clearly informed about all children's next steps for learning. This means that they do not always have the information they need to offer new challenges to help children make the best possible progress. n Overall, staff support children's communication and language skills well. When staff talk to children, they get down to the children's eye level, speak clearly and engage them in meaningful conversations. Staff use good intonation when reading stories to children, who sit close to staff and listen carefully. Staff

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need to do better?

introduce new words and encourage children to join in. However, staff do not work with parents to gain information about other languages the children speak. Therefore, children do not benefit from having opportunities to see or hear their home languages during their play and learning. n There is very good support for children with special educational needs and/or

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need to do better?

18 March 2022 disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator quickly identifies and supports children. Staff work closely with a wide range of other professionals to develop individual learning plans. Funding provided to these children is carefully used to provide individual support. This helps to support children to reach their full potential. n Children develop important skills in preparation for their move on to school. For instance, staff teach children to manage their feelings and express how they feel. Children are becoming increasingly independent. They find their own water bottles, put on their coats and manage their self-care needs well. Staff have attended training on letters and sounds. They use this to promote older children's literacy skills to support them for when they go to school. n The manager, who is also the owner, is passionate about her role. She strives towards continual improvement and involves staff, parents and children in the

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need to do better?

process. The manager encourages staff to reflect on their own ways of working. She quickly identifies where to improve individual practice through, for example, supervision meetings and observing the practice of other staff. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents comment on how the playgroup is 'warm and friendly' and that staff give them ideas for strategies to use at home to continue their children's learning. They appreciate the feedback they receive when they collect their children and through regular parents' meetings.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of their responsibilities regarding child protection. Staff know the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the reporting procedures to follow if they need to seek further help or report any concerns. Staff are continuing to develop their awareness of wider safeguarding matters. They know how to recognise children who may be at risk from extreme behaviours and views. Staff explain well about expectations for safety and children have a good understanding of what they need to do to keep safe.

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should:

n strengthen systems to ensure that staff know all the children's next steps in learning and offer new challenges to help children make the best possible progress n support staff to ensure that children who are learning English as an additional language have opportunities to hear and see their home language during their play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313787 Local authority Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Inspection number 10126008 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 30 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Dow, Helen

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reference number

Telephone number 07814 700414 Date of previous inspection 11 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Chewton Common Playgroup registered in 2005. It operates from a purpose-built building next to Highcliffe St Mark Primary School, in Christchurch. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 11.30am and from midday to 3pm, during term time only. Seven staff work directly with the children. Three members of staff hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3 and two hold an appropriate qualification at level 2.

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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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the manager. n The inspector looked at a selection of documents and checked evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children.

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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

18 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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