Highview Playgroup

Inspection of Highview Playgroup Under 108 Palmers Road, London N11 1SL

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised as several requirements of the early years foundation stage are not being met. Despite this, most children seem happy and relaxed at the playgroup. On arrival they are warmly greeted by the adults, and most children show enthusiasm to join in with the different activities available. For instance, some children enjoy drawing with chalks and discuss their creations. They also have fun mark making with water and paintbrushes. In addition, children show interest in making paper fans. These activities help to support their creativity and small-muscle skills.

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The provision is inadequate

Children have fun driving around in toy cars and pretending to go shopping. This helps to develop their imagination, physical development and language skills. The manager discusses high expectations for children's learning. However, these are not translated effectively into daily practice in a consistent way. For example, although staff are very kind, they do not give children enough support to extend and challenge their learning. For instance, when children join in with painting paper plates, there is little explanation and discussion to teach them new knowledge. Overall, children show appropriate interest in the planned activities and behave well.

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need to do better?

n The manager does not follow safe recruitment procedures. For example, some adults who work with children have not had the required checks completed to verify their suitability. In addition, references were also unavailable at the inspection. These breaches have a significant impact on children's safety. n No adults working with children currently have valid first-aid training. This means their knowledge is not up to date on how to respond to a medical emergency if one was to arise. n Some adults working with children do not have up-to-date safeguarding knowledge. They have limited knowledge of how to recognise if a child and family are at risk of radicalisation in line with the 'Prevent' duty guidance. This also compromises children's overall welfare. n The arrangements for mentoring, coaching and ongoing professional development of staff are not effective. Although adults plan a variety of activities, linked to the different areas of the curriculum, that capture children's

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need to do better?

interests and keep them occupied, children do not benefit from consistently high-quality interactions that support them to learn lots of new knowledge and skills. This means that not all children make the full progress they are capable of. n The manager liaises with other professionals to obtain advice on how to further help children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). However,

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need to do better?

17 June 2022 these children do not receive high enough levels of support, or engage in consistently meaningful learning, during their time at the playgroup. n The playgroup is run by a group of volunteers who give up their free time to work with the children. All adults show kindness towards the children and it is evident that they have a positive bond. Children regularly receive praise and encouragement as they play. This build their self-esteem and confidence. n Children have opportunities to develop an understanding of the world around them. For instance, they explore powders and colours and decorate tea lights when celebrating Diwali and Eid. This supports children to respect and appreciate each other's similarities and differences and deepens their understanding of diversity. n The adults support children to lead healthy lifestyles. For example, children have lots of opportunities to be active each day as they play outside on slides and

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need to do better?

wheeled toys that help to develop their large-muscle skills. They also eat a range of nutritious snacks. This helps children to adopt healthy habits and supports their overall health. n Parents express high levels of satisfaction with the playgroup. They state that their children enjoy attending and are making progress with their speaking skills and social development. Parents comment that the adults are very 'caring', 'supportive' and 'helpful'. They state that the communication is regular and that they feel well involved in their children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Due to a number of breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements children's overall safety cannot be guaranteed. Vetting procedures are weak. Although the manager obtains evidence of old suitability check information for adults, she does not carry out up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for them to work with children at the playgroup. In addition, not all adults are confident at recognising possible signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. There are also gaps in their knowledge of who they would report any concerns to in order to protect children's welfare. Despite this, the adults carry out risk assessments and check the toys, resources and outdoor space to ensure they are suitable for use. This helps to reduce any hazards or injuries.

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Due date

17 June 2022 improve recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure all adults are suitable for their roles. This includes carrying out a DBS check and recording evidence of references 08/07/2022

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Due date

ensure that at least one adult has valid first-aid training at all times to be able to respond to a medical emergency if one was to arise 08/07/2022

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Due date

ensure all adults have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding issues and are able to follow correct reporting procedures 08/07/2022

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Due date

improve the quality of adult interactions with children and ensure weak practice is swiftly addressed through an effective system of coaching and continuing professional development 08/07/2022

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Due date

ensure all children, especially those with SEND, receive good levels of support and benefit from purposeful learning that supports their interests and current stage of development effectively. 08/07/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 135305 Local authority Enfield Inspection number 10060560 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 16 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Highview Community Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8361 0853 Date of previous inspection 17 November 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Highview Playgroup opened in 1992 and registered with Ofsted in 2001. The playgroup is in Arnos Grove in the London Borough of Enfield. The playgroup is open during term time, every weekday from 9.15am until 12.15pm. The playgroup is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four years. There are three members of staff, including the owner/manager. All staff hold recognised early years qualifications at level 3.

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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 provision. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the adults' intentions for children's learning. n The manager completed a joint observation with the inspector to look at the quality of the children's learning experiences together. n A range of documents were viewed, including the adults' training certificates and suitability information. n The inspector took account of parents' and children's views during 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

17 June 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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