St Peter's Playgroup

Inspection of St Peter's Playgroup The O'Sullivan Centre Sacred Heart Church, 63 West Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1AN

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are settled, confident and happy at the setting. They are eager to join in with the challenging activities that staff carefully plan for them. For example, children are fascinated to experiment with water using fruit. They learn that an orange with the skin on will float and a peeled orange will sink. Children have good opportunities to be imaginative and bring their fantasies alive. For instance, they enjoy becoming 'hairdressers', 'florists' and 'builders'. Children explore and investigate the world around them. For example, they learn about the different types of bees and the different habitats in which they live, such as hives and nests.

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The provision is good

Children develop a good understanding of the benefits of healthy lifestyles. They independently follow good health and hygiene routines and talk about healthy foods at mealtimes. All children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and learn to move in different ways. This includes building and negotiating obstacles, using crates and tyres. Children build on their communication skills and have good opportunities to extend their vocabulary. For instance, when they talk about the concept of items floating and sinking, they learn new words, such as 'buoyancy' and 'submerge'.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have made significant changes to their practice since their last inspection. They attend regular and beneficial training. Staff have recently learned about the different ways to implement and teach all areas of learning. As a result, staff provide all children with purposeful learning opportunities. n All staff establish secure and trusting relationships with children who are eager to come into the setting and enjoy the company of staff. For example, children are excited to show staff the snail they have found. All children have a good sense of belonging and positive levels of well-being. n Overall, children behave well. They are kind to each other, such as helping each other pour drinks. Staff recognise and praise positive behaviour. However, they do not consistently help children understand the consequences of their actions. For example, when children over enthusiastically wave an item around, they are

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need to do better?

simply told 'no' instead of being provided with an explanation as to why they are being asked to stop. n Overall, children are engaged in their learning experiences. They are generally focused during activities. However, staff do not consistently organise changes in routine effectively, to ensure that they maintain the attention of children. This results in children appearing confused and not fully understanding what is expected of them or knowing what is happening next.

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need to do better?

7 December 2022 n Staff support all children to make good progress. This includes those children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. For instance, staff have created a sensory room to help children feel calm when they become overwhelmed. n The manager closely monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide children. She routinely observes staff interacting with children and gives them helpful feedback. Staff evaluate their practice together and discuss each day how well they engaged children and what they could continue to build upon. They use their findings to support their future practice. n All staff establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak fondly of them. Staff keep them fully involved and informed about their children's day, achievements and next steps in learning. They routinely share photographs of what children have enjoyed doing. n Staff support children to gain a good understanding of the similarities and

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need to do better?

differences of people's experiences and communities outside of their own. For example, children learn about how different countries, such as Poland, celebrate Christmas in their own unique way. n Staff use additional funding effectively to meet the individual learning needs of children. For instance, they have recently purchased sensory equipment. This has helped children settle quickly into the setting as they explore calming actvities. n The manager and staff get to know children well. This includes their individual needs and what makes them unique. This helps staff to plan activities that they know will motivate children to learn. Children have a positive attitude towards their learning and make good progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff, including the manager, have a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. They fully understand the signs and symptoms to be vigilant for regarding any potential concerns. Staff know who to contact to seek advice and how to raise and follow up on any issues. This includes understanding how to manage any allegations against staff. There are thorough policies in place on how to manage and minimise the spread of illnesses effectively. For example, they ensure all equipment is cleaned and children have the required time off to recover. Children learn how to keep themselves and others safe. For instance, they talk about the rules of how to cross the road safely.

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should:

n further support staff to manage children's behaviour in a way that supports

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should:

7 December 2022 children to learn about why and how their behaviour affects themselves and others n support staff to review the organisation of changes in routines, to ensure that all children remain fully engaged and know what is expected of them throughout.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2527149 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10221200 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person St Peter's Playgroup CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01795424864 Date of previous inspection 13 January 2022

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Information about this early years setting

St Peter's Playgroup registered in 2019. It is located in the O'Sullivan Centre, in Sittingbourne, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am until 3pm, term time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs six members of staff, five of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the second inspection the provider has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed any ongoing impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n Written documentation was reviewed. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the manager, staff, children and parents at convenient times, and considered their views. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation during lunchtime, focusing on the quality of communication and interaction.

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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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