Margaret Lloyd Playgroup

Inspection of Margaret Lloyd Playgroup Washington Avenue, Grovehill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 6NG

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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

Children are happy as they separate from their parents and are welcomed into this warm and friendly setting. They quickly follow the routine and sit down on their mats, ready for their carpet time. They benefit from warm interactions from nurturing, familiar staff and they demonstrate close attachments. As a result, children are confident. For example, they speak to visitors about what they are doing and are eager to involve staff in their play.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning, as they become fully engrossed in activities. For example, they hurry to tables with games that they have chosen. They choose their resources and begin to talk about taking turns with a staff member. This helps to promote their sharing and turn-taking skills.

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The provision is good

Staff offer strong and consistent support to develop children's speech and communication skills. They model language and use actions and signs to reinforce their messages, and ensure that children understand. Children listen well and are keen to learn. They proudly give answers about the day of the week and tell staff what shapes they can see on a board. They enjoy songs and eagerly join in with action rhymes in the soft playroom.

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need to do better?

n All children make good progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who need additional help are well supported. Leaders and staff work closely with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). They give high priority to working with other professionals, identifying and carrying out interventions to enable children to achieve their potential. n Staff act as positive role models. In return, children behave well. Children are imaginative and make pretend coffees for their friends. Staff provide children with opportunities to make decisions for themselves and as a group. For example, staff use a visual timetable, where children can point to photos of equipment and toys to show what they would like to play with. This helps them to understand concepts such as democracy, and makes them feel valued. n Children are happy to take on challenges and do things for themselves. They

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need to do better?

proudly choose their own activities and invite others to play. They tidy and put things away after group time, carrying their mats to a member of staff. However, staff do not consistently encourage children with other tasks, such as getting their bags or taking their coats off when they arrive at the setting. Additionally, at times, staff do things for the children instead of encouraging them to try for themselves, such as pouring their own drinks and handing them fruit at snacktime. This means that children's sense of responsibility and self- care skills do not develop as much as possible.

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need to do better?

7 December 2022 n Staff support children who speak English as an additional language well. They use visual aids to encourage children to be able to communicate with others. Staff gain useful information about children's home language when they join the setting, so that they can use keywords to help them to settle. n Children have lots of opportunities develop their physical abilities. They enjoy being in the outdoor space, pedalling on bicycles and climbing. Indoors, they use a soft playroom where they dive into a ball pool, and take part in a yoga session once a week. Children use crayons to draw roads onto a paper and follow the lines with their pretend cars. n The long-standing staff team work well together. They have regular meetings to share ideas and plans about the coming weeks. Staff morale is high. The manager has introduced a well-being policy to support staff and families following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, staff say they feel

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need to do better?

well supported both personally and professionally. n Parents speak highly about the setting and staff. They report that staff make them feel welcome in the setting and their children make good progress. Parents say they appreciate the support they receive from the SENCo and staff to provide consistency for children at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. They understand their duty in protecting children from harm and can recognise potential signs of abuse. Staff supervise children closely to ensure they remain safe in their play. They carry out risk assessment the environment, both indoors and outdoors, to reduce children's exposure to potential hazards. Staff carry out regular 'headcounts' and deploy themselves effectively to make sure children are supervised appropriately. Staff have up-to-date safeguarding training. The manager provides regular opportunities for staff to refresh their knowledge using an online learning platform.

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should:

n make the most of opportunities to encourage children to do things for themselves and develop their independence further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129368 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10234147 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 31 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Margaret Lloyd Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01442 217859 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Margaret Lloyd Playgroup registered in 1992. The playgroup employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm, from Monday to Thursday and from 9am until midday on Fridays. 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 playgroup 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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the manager.

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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

7 December 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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