Homestead Road Playgroup

Inspection of Homestead Road Playgroup Thringstone Miners Social Centre, Homestead Road, Thringstone, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 8LL

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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

There is a buzz of excitement as children enter pre-school. They take their coats off and confidently move around the room, selecting their play. They decide where there is space to play and engage in their chosen activity. Children make strong attachments to staff. They sit close to them and receive help to complete jigsaw puzzles. Children concentrate and carefully place the pieces together, using good hand-eye coordination.

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The provision is good

Children develop their physical skills and enjoy playing outside. They eagerly race to the climbing frame. They safely negotiate the ramp and climb to the top, taking safe risks. Children demonstrate good spatial awareness as they run around the garden and play hide and seek. They ride bicycles up and down the path, pedalling fast and strengthening their legs. Staff encourage the children to stop at the end to ensure they are safe.

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The provision is good

Children have a positive attitude towards their learning. They develop their small- muscle skills as they poke and squeeze play dough. Staff extend this activity, encouraging children to use cutters and make stars and hearts. Children thoroughly enjoy cutting shapes and sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', extending their communication and language skills as they sing.

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need to do better?

n Staff implement a curriculum that follows children's interests. They provide a selection of opportunities for children to enjoy. For example, children use spades to dig in the sand and make sandcastles. In the main, children choose what they want to play with, and staff encourage children to learn through play. However, staff do not always organise group-time activities to ensure all children are engaged and can join in. Consequently, some children become restless and lose focus. n Leaders focus on developing children's communication and language skills to support their future learning. Staff implement this well for all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff make eye contact with the children and get down to their level to talk to them. They read books and sing songs to help children to understand words and learn new phrases. n Overall, staff implement the programme for mathematics appropriately. For

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need to do better?

example, staff encourage children to weigh items to see if they are heavy or light. Children build towers and explain that they are getting taller and taller. However, staff do not always support children to extend their mathematical knowledge. For instance, children are not encouraged to practise their counting skills as they play.

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need to do better?

3 November 2022 n Staff inform parents about their children's learning. They write termly reports so the parents know about the progress their children are making. Parents speak highly of the pre-school staff. They say the staff are friendly, helpful and approachable. n Parents inform staff about the experiences their children have at home. Staff use this information to help extend children's knowledge and skills. For example, children learn about different types of animals. The staff invite the 'animal man' to visit to talk to the children. He brings along snakes and tarantulas to help support children's learning and conquer any fears. n Staff encourage children to follow hygienic practices, such as washing their hands before eating and after using the bathroom They promote children's self- care skills. Children put on their own coats and wellies to go outside. They learn to open their lunch boxes and choose what they want to eat first. These skills

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need to do better?

help children to be ready for school. n Staff are good role models for behaviour. They speak to children in a calm manner and encourage them to play together. Children learn to take turns and share resources. This is evident as children patiently wait their turn to climb on the climbing wall and share the crayons as they make marks on a large piece of paper. n Leaders value their staff and provide opportunities for them to attend training. Recently, staff have attended training on sign language, which is helping them to develop children's communication skills. Staff cascade any training to other staff so all can benefit and improve their teaching skills. Leaders monitor staff performance through supervision and appraisals.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure that all staff attend safeguarding training and have up-to-date knowledge. Staff understand how to identify children who may be at risk of harm. They understand the steps to take should they become concerned about children's welfare or the conduct of a colleague. Staff understand safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and 'Prevent' duty. Robust recruitment arrangements ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff carry out risk assessments to identify and remove hazards, ensuring the premises is safe and secure for children.

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should:

n review and strengthen the organisation of group activities to ensure all children are fully engaged and able to participate n strengthen the implementation of mathematics to support children to use

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should:

3 November 2022 numbers and counting during their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 226213 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10234397 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 13 Name of registered person Homestead Road Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07980 498028 Date of previous inspection 8 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Homestead Road Playgroup registered in 1980. It is located in Coalville, Leicestershire. The playgroup employs five members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens Monday to Thursday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 1pm. 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 inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and deputy manager and discussed how they organise and implement the curriculum. n The manager took part in a joint observation with the inspector. The inspector considered the quality of education during activities and the impact this had on children's learning. n The children spoke with the inspector and invited her into their play at appropriate times throughout the inspection. The inspector observed interactions and conversations between the staff and the children and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n Some parents spoke to the inspector so she could take into account their views. n The inspector had a discussion with the manager and deputy manager about

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Inspection activities

staff training and how they evaluate practice. n The manager showed the inspector relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

3 November 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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