Bengeo Playgroup

Inspection of Bengeo Playgroup Bengeo Primary School, The Avenue, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 3DX

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this exceptionally warm, welcoming and nurturing playgroup. They are greeted each day by the wonderfully dedicated, friendly and caring staff. Children are eager to see them and excitedly enter the playroom. They demonstrate that they feel very happy, safe and emotionally secure. Staff embed routines and activities that encourage children's independence and self-care skills. Although the children are all quite young and new to the playgroup, they know the daily routines extremely well. They happily hang up their coats and bags, confidently place their photo on the self-registration board, and apply hand gel before joining their friends at their chosen activity.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are curious, motivated and show a very positive attitude to learning. For example, they become fascinated by tractors after watching the tractor cutting the grass in the school field. Staff plan interesting activities linked to this, such as looking at books and listening to stories about tractors. Children have enormous fun painting tractors, using brushes and sponges and using the wheels to print tyre marks. Children's behaviour is exemplary, and they learn to cooperate and work together from an early age. For example, they help each other to make a 'car-run' using guttering. Their perseverance is rewarded as they proudly watch their cars go down the slope. Children are developing superb resilience and strong thinking skills. They have a happy and highly enjoyable early education experience. Staff provide children with an excellent foundation on which to build their future learning.

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need to do better?

n The playgroup is a hive of activity, with every child totally engrossed in their learning. Staff plan exciting and stimulating activities, which are closely linked to children's individual needs and interests. Teaching across the staff team is consistently of a high quality. Children receive excellent support, enabling them to make outstanding progress in their learning and development. n Inclusion is at the heart of the playgroup and is supported by the strong partnerships with other professionals. Staff diligently monitor children's progress to identify developmental gaps in their learning. They plan superb early intervention programmes, such supporting children's early language. The provider employs a speech and language therapist, who works with staff to ensure that children are fully included in all aspects of the playgroup and reach their full potential. n The high staff-to-child ratio means that staff are able to meet children's

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need to do better?

individual needs exceptionally well. Children form exceedingly warm and loving relationships with their key person. Siblings are allocated the same key person, which enables staff and families to get to know each other very well.

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need to do better?

6 October 2022 n Arrangements are extremely well organised for supporting children as they move from playgroup to nursery. School staff often visit the playgroup to meet the children and read stories to them. This helps to promote continuity of care and learning exceptionally well. n Children's emotional well-being is supported superbly. For example, they are helped to regulate their behaviour through yoga and mindfulness activities. Staff support children very well to understand their emotions. Children frequently use the 'feelings cushions' and 'feelings board' to help them to understand and manage their emotions. n Children eagerly select books and enthusiastically listen to, and join in with, their favourite stories. Staff reinforce stories through role play and superb story props. There are excellent opportunities for children to practise their early writing. All children's 'mark making' is acknowledged and celebrated by staff. For

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need to do better?

example, when playing in the role-play shop, a young child 'writes' a shopping list. He asks the staff what they would like and proudly adds the items to his list. n Children's health and welfare are given the utmost priority. Staff give parents helpful suggestions for healthy lunches. Children benefit greatly from the daily music and movement sessions in the school hall. They begin to recognise the positive impact that exercise has on their bodies. Children are eager to experience the wealth of physical challenges on the school 'trim trail'. n Parents are very eager to share highly positive feedback about the playgroup. They describe the staff as 'brilliant' and say that their children have made 'fantastic progress' since they started. Staff give parents information about the activities that are planned for the coming week, including the songs and stories their children will enjoy. This inspires parents to support their children's learning

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need to do better?

at home. n Staff say they feel valued and highly supported in their role. They appreciate the providers' concern for their well-being and work satisfaction. Staff say that they enjoy coming to work. Their engagement, enthusiasm and commitment to children's play and learning are inspirational. n Excellent self-evaluation means that the passionate and dedicated provider and manager are continually extending the service they provide for families and children. Together, they reflect and evaluate on the quality of the provision to ensure they maintain excellent outcomes for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are exceptionally well protected because the playgroup implements comprehensive safeguarding procedures. Robust recruitment procedures, staff induction and supervision processes help to ensure that all staff are suitable. All staff have undertaken safeguarding training and know the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Documentation is maintained to a very high standard, and all records required for the safe and efficient management of the playgroup are in place.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY463998 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10233893 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Bengeo Playgroup Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01992 304 477 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Bengeo Playgroup registered in 2013. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff, five of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and four at level 2. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.15pm. The playgroup provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the playgroup has 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 provider and manager showed the inspector around the areas that children access. They discussed how staff organise the setting and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the playgroup manager and provider. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the playgroup's documents. This included evidence about staff suitability and training.

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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

6 October 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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