Longhorsley Explorers Community Interest Company

Inspection of Longhorsley Village Playgroup Community Interest Company Longhorsely Village Hall, Drummonds Close, Longhorsley, Northumberland NE65 8UR

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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 are very happy in the playgroup, which is at the heart of the village community. Parents comment that their children 'love coming'. They feel that staff are nurturing and know children as individuals. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know that they must hold hands as they walk back from the allotment. Younger children hold an adult's hand and learn how to use steps safely. Older children learn to use knives to chop their fruit or make sandwiches.

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The provision is good

Staff, generally, have high expectations of what children can achieve. For example, they seize opportunities to develop children's counting skills. Three-year-old children count confidently beyond 10, and staff sensitively help children to count to 20. They correct misconceptions. For example, when children say 'twenteen', staff model how to say 20 correctly. Children develop good attitudes to their learning. Younger children persevere as they learn to turn the tap on the water butt. Older children concentrate well as they listen to stories. They comment on what is happening and share their own ideas with enthusiasm.

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need to do better?

n Staff know what they want children to learn. Overall, they provide activities to support children's interests and extend their learning. For example, children enjoy pretending to cook. Staff put out knives in the play kitchen to develop their physical skills further. However, occasionally, staff plan group activities which do not support the age or stage of development of younger children. For example, staff prepare bug hunt sheets for children to complete when they have finished in the allotment. This is too difficult for many children and they lose interest as a result of this. n There is a very strong relationship with parents. Parents comment that staff are approachable and feel that the communication is excellent. They know what their children are doing and how they can help them at home. Parents comment that they find the playgroup amazing. Others comment they do not know where they would be without the after-school club.

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need to do better?

n Children have a strong relationship with staff. Older children talk to staff about the worms in the compost bin. They laugh as staff talk and joke about having worms on toast for lunch. Children are clearly very happy in the setting. n The manager usually observes staff and gives them feedback on how they can improve. She provides support and coaching through regular supervision sessions. However, the monitoring of staff's practice is not yet sufficiently precise to identify all minor weaknesses in the quality of education. n Staff support older children's language extremely well. They listen carefully and respond to what children are saying. Children have a range of opportunities to

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need to do better?

5 May 2022 express their thoughts and ideas. However, sometimes, staff do not adjust their language effectively when talking to younger children. For example, they speak in longer sentences and, occasionally, there are fewer opportunities for these children to express their thoughts and ideas. This means that, sometimes, younger children do not make the same rapid progress in this area. n Children learn how to keep themselves healthy. They wash their hands regularly and develop an understanding of food that is healthy. For example, children explain that beetroot keeps their body healthy. They learn how to brush their teeth properly. Children have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise, for example, as they dig in the allotment or play in the park. Children in the after-school club ask to go to the park or play in the hard court. n Children behave well. They have a good understanding of what staff expect of

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need to do better?

them. For example, children help to tidy up when requested. They share and take turns as they fill their watering cans in the allotment. Staff consistently remind children of their expectations. For example, children respond quickly when staff remind them that they need to get off the balancing beam when they are getting ready to go out. n Children have a good relationship with each other. They are kind and polite. Children in the playgroup help each other to fill their watering cans. Children in the out-of-school club share fruit with their friends and talk to each other about their day.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There are good procedures in place to keep children safe. For example, all doors into the building are secure. Staff supervise children well, particularly when the toddler group uses the building at the same time as the playgroup. This ensures that no unauthorised visitors can enter the playgroup. The manager and her staff team have a good knowledge of signs and symptoms that may indicate possible abuse to children. They know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child.

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should:

n ensure that group activities support the age and stage of development of all children n strengthen the monitoring of staff's practice to identify and address all minor inconsistencies in teaching n adapt language when talking to younger children to ensure they make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY405427 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10229560 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 15 Number of children on roll 84

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Name of registered person

Longhorsley Village Playgroup Community Interest Company

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reference number

Telephone number 07910 680 510 Date of previous inspection 18 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Longhorsley Village Playgroup Community Interest Company registered in 2010. The playgroup employs five members of staff. All staff hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 and above, including one who holds qualified teacher status. The playgroup also provides wraparound care for nursery- and school-aged children. Sessions are available on Monday from 10.30am until 6pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30am until 6pm, and on Friday from 7.30am until 1.30pm, during term time. 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 manager showed the inspector around the playgroup. She discussed with the inspector how the curriculum and the experiences for children are planned. The inspector viewed the inside and outside space used by the playgroup. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The manager and the inspector evaluated an activity together. n The inspector looked at a sample of the playgroup's documents, including evidence of training and the suitability of staff. n The manager explained how she manages the playgroup and discussed safeguarding with the inspector. n Parents spoke to the inspector to provide their views on the playgroup.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to children and staff as part of the inspection.

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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

5 May 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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