St Andrews Playgroup

Inspection of St Andrews Playgroup St Andrews Church Hall, Roman Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 2DQ

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The provider has failed to ensure they meet the requirements set out within the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. The committee members are aware of their roles and responsibilities, yet they do not always fulfil their duties. They have failed to notify Ofsted about a change to the person managing the setting, which took place last year. They have also yet to complete his induction process. There are weaknesses in safeguarding which compromise children's safety. The designated safeguarding lead does not have a secure knowledge of safeguarding matters and the action to take to ensure children's safety.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff do not have an accurate understanding of children's starting points. In turn, they do not understand what children need to learn next to ensure they make good progress. Staff have a poor understanding of the areas of learning and how children learn. This means children do not receive the support they need to make the best progress they can in their learning and development. Children are not offered activities and experiences that meet their individual learning needs. Children do arrive and settle into the session well and parents are happy with the setting.

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need to do better?

n The committee lack oversight of the provision. They do not spend enough time monitoring teaching and practice. This means they fail to identify and address breaches to the statutory requirements and the quality of care on offer. The manager understands what he wants children to learn but does not receive the support he needs from the committee. n The manager does not ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to support children's learning. Expectations for children's learning are too low. Staff do not understand children's stages of development in order to help them make progress. As a result, some children become bored and disengaged during activities. n Staff do not receive regular supervisions or support. Recent staff appraisals have been ineffective. Issues of poor practice that were observed had been raised in recent appraisals. However, there has been no improvement in staff's day-to-day

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need to do better?

practice. n Although parents are happy with the playgroup, not all parents know who their child's key person is. Parents are not aware of what their children are learning at the playgroup. They do not have any information shared with them about how to carry on supporting their child's learning at home. n Children's individual next steps in learning are not considered when staff are planning activities. Staff have limited ideas about how to further the children's

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need to do better?

21 November 2022 communication and language skills. n The provider fails to keep staff records up to date. This has an impact on the information needed to confirm staff's ongoing suitability. Some staff report that they do not feel listened to, and that they are being asked to fulfil roles they do not wish to do. Staff training is not offered to support their practice and understanding of what they need to do to further the children's learning. Currently, staff only undertake mandatory safeguarding and paediatric first-aid training. n Staff do not follow the setting's behaviour management policy. Many disagreements between the children go unnoticed. There are no clear rules or boundaries for children to follow. When staff intervene, it is not consistent, and children do not understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Children's behaviour is poor and they struggle to engage in activities for long. Children are

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need to do better?

not taught how to respect and look after the toys and resources. The environment becomes messy and chaotic, which hinders children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff do not have a secure understanding of safeguarding procedures. For example, the designated safeguarding lead does not understand the correct procedures to follow in the event of an allegation against a member of staff. She also has limited knowledge about the different signs of possible abuse and neglect. The committee is not clear about what steps to take when a concern about a member of staff's practice is brought to their attention. These weaknesses compromise children's safety.

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Due date

ensure staff receive effective supervisions which provide support, coaching and training and promotes the interests of children 20/01/2023

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Due date

ensure all staff, including your designated safeguarding lead and committee members, understand the safeguarding policy and procedures that must be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff 16/12/2022

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Due date

21 November 2022 ensure all staff understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, to be able to identify the signs of possible abuse and neglect and their responsibilities in a timely and appropriate way 16/12/2022

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Due date

ensure all staff understand and follow the setting's behaviour management policy in a clear and consistent way 16/12/2022

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Due date

ensure staff records are complete and up to date to allow clear decisions to be made regarding ongoing suitability of staff 16/12/2022

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Due date

ensure all parents know their child's key person and enable a regular two-way flow of information with parents and/or carers 20/01/2023

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Due date

ensure induction training has been completed for all staff 16/12/2022

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Due date

provide effective support to the manager and staff to plan and deliver an ambitious curriculum that takes account of the individual learning needs of children in each area of learning. 20/01/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251641 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10234420 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 30 Number of children on roll 20

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Name of registered person

St Andrews Playgroup (Lowestoft) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01502 530 511 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

St Andrews Playgroup registered in 1968. The playgroup employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am to 11.45am.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and a registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

21 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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