Elgin Estate Playgroup

Inspection of Elgin Estate Playgroup 36a Elgin Avenue, Selbourne House, London W9 3QT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are greeted warmly when they enter the setting by staff who are attentive to their needs. Parents speak highly of the setting and the staff, and value the open communication between them. Children gain from this as it makes them feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

The setting focuses on developing positive community links. Children are made to feel part of the Elgin Pre-School 'family'. This gives them a strong sense of belonging, which then makes them more able to learn.

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The provision is good

Children's communication and language development is a priority, with books available in every room. Staff read books to children throughout the day, singing songs while doing so as well as talking to them about what they are doing. Staff encourage children to join in with singing even while involved in activities. For instance, when a child was making play dough, they sang a song about mixing up the different ingredients. Children are confident to express their needs and say what they would like to do next or what they need help with. This language-rich environment gives them the vocabulary necessary to progress.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from a well-established and confident staff team. Staff take time to get to know their key children and share their children's interests with other staff each morning. This way everyone can support children's development. n Partnership with parents is a strength at this setting. Parents are delighted with the communication from the setting and appreciate the daily updates about their child. This makes them confident to send their child to the setting. n The manager prioritises building lasting community links between families and the setting. Consequently, the setting is an integral part of the community and children feel like they belong, which means they are more comfortable and able to learn. n Staff are well supported by the manager and clearly enjoy the work that they do. They speak of it being a privilege to work there. The children are the focus of this positive learning environment.

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need to do better?

n Staff talk to the children about what they are doing, using appropriate language when, for instance, they are exploring the construction tools. Staff name the items children are using, such as 'hammer', 'spanner' and 'nails', and describe what they are doing as they 'bang' and 'push'. This means that children are given the vocabulary they need to aid their understanding further. n Children are happy within the setting. They spend time focused on activities and show enjoyment in what they are doing, for instance when playing in the home corner.

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need to do better?

8 September 2022 n Staff are always on hand to model correct behaviour and encourage children to play together appropriately. This helps the children develop positive relationships with others. n Social media is used productively to keep in touch with parents, and for the parents to also form relationships with other parents. This helped when the setting was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as when the children first returned. n The setting has an open-door policy which makes parents feel welcomed at any time. Parental views are valued and taken into consideration. n Staff attend regular training courses and then discuss what they have learned with the rest of the staff team. They are always looking for ways to improve the learning experience for the children in their care, but would benefit from a more organised system of staff observations. n The manager has a good relationship with the local authority so that if she had

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need to do better?

concerns about a child's development, she would be able to get the appropriate support. n The manager uses additional funding to make sure that all children can go on trips away from the setting. Parents also usually come on these trips, which helps to build links between the home and setting, and makes the children feel like the setting is part of their family.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are confident that they would know who to contact if they had concerns about a child, both within the setting and through outside agencies. Staff have all completed safeguarding training online and know the signs to look for if they have concerns about a child. They also all have a recent paediatric first-aid qualification. Staff share information on a child's 'About Me' form, and if a child has an allergy or dietary requirement, these are clearly signposted, along with any medicine that needs to be given. The setting is assessed every day to make sure it is safe for the children to attend.

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should:

n strengthen the management systems to monitor staff teaching practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2561733 Local authority Westminster Inspection number 10221680 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 40 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Elgin Estate Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 02072865500 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Elgin Estate Playgroup first registered in 1992. In 2019 it moved to purpose-built premises in a nearby location in Maida Vale, in the London Borough of Westminster. The setting is a non-profit making organisation with charitable status. It offers free funded places for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The setting opens from 9am to 3.30pm during term time only. Children can attend between the ages of two and four years on a full- or part-time basis. The setting employs seven members of staff, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 and above.

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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 of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a creative activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector viewed enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Checks for all

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Inspection activities

staff, as well as paediatric first-aid certificates.

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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

8 September 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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