Horsley Playgroup

Inspection of Horsley Playgroup Horsley Village Hall, Priory Fields, Horsley, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 0PT

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children clearly enjoy their time at the playgroup. They are enthusiastic and display positive attitudes to their learning. Children enjoy participating in weekly sessions with staff at the forest school site. This helps them to develop an interest in the world around them. Children learn about risks and how to keep themselves safe. For example, staff explain the importance of wearing high-visibility jackets and to look both ways for cars when they cross the road. Children are beginning to understand that some plants may be poisonous and not to touch them.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and freely explore all areas of the forest school site. They develop good physical skills as they carefully negotiate the uneven ground. Children excitedly look at the interesting displays for information about snails. They are fascinated as staff read the facts to them. Children proudly recall this information at the end of the session and tell their friends that snails have teeth on their tongue.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are creative and enjoy drawing pictures. They demonstrate an awareness of letter sounds and, with support from staff, young children write the letters of their name. Children relish opportunities to listen to stories. They become absorbed by sounds that rhythm and rhyme make and eagerly point to key characters in familiar books.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff help to prepare children for the move to school. They support children to manage their own self-care and teach them how to take off their waterproof trousers and coats when returning from outside. Staff develop strong links with the neighbouring school and take children to visit for one afternoon each week. Children meet with old friends who have moved up to the Reception class and become familiar with their new learning environment. This helps children to feel prepared for their eventual move to school and supports their emotional well- being during these transitions. n Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They get to know children's individual needs and interests well and use this information to plan appropriate activities to help children move forward in their learning. Managers and staff form effective professional relationships with outside agencies. Children are swiftly referred for

p.2

need to do better?

extra support where needed. n Staff support children to become independent learners. They use effective questioning techniques to help children to work things out for themselves. Staff encourage children to make links to previous learning. Children display good communication and language skills. Through meaningful discussions with staff,

p.2

need to do better?

30 March 2022 they work out that a soft toy monkey, named 'Beat Baby', did not hatch from an egg because she does not have feathers like a bird or scales like a reptile. n Children learn the importance of adopting a healthy and balanced lifestyle. They understand the need to wash their hands before eating and sit well at the table to enjoy nutritious snacks prepared by staff. However, staff do not make the best use of the bathroom facilities they have. As a result, children do not benefit from daily opportunities to practise hygiene routines in the most purposeful way. n Children are settled and content at the playgroup. They demonstrate familiarity with the playgroup timetable and have opportunities to view a visual timetable throughout the day to support their understanding of what is coming next. At snack time, staff support children to do things for themselves and children carefully pour their own drinks. However, on occasions, the organisation of some

p.2

need to do better?

daily routines does not always maximise children's learning. Children do not always receive high-quality interactions with staff because they are busy with other tasks and are not always deployed in the most effective way. n The management team involves parents and children in the ongoing evaluation of the playgroup to make sure that future improvements meet their expectations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have not been able to come into the playgroup. However, now that restrictions have eased, the management team is addressing this. Parents state that they are happy with the care and education their children receive and praise the 'wonderful staff'.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff carry out regular risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environments used by the playgroup to make sure that children are kept safe. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and are able to accurately identify the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm. They attend regular training and are aware of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child in their care. Leaders and managers follow effective recruitment and supervision procedures to ensure that staff working with children are suitable to do so.

p.3

should:

n review handwashing procedures to fully support children to develop their understanding of purposeful hygiene routines and the importance of a healthy lifestyle n review staff deployment during daily routines and transitions to promote high- quality interactions and support children's learning to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 101482 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10124200 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Horsley Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07918 931851 Date of previous inspection 27 April 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Horsley Playgroup registered in 1993. It operates from a village hall in the rural village of Horsley, Gloucestershire. The playgroup is open from Monday to Wednesday during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The playgroup employs five members of staff. Of these, two members of staff hold qualified teacher status and two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This is the first routine inspection the playgroup received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the playgroup. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss activities and intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and manager about the leadership and management of the playgroup. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

30 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6