Goslings Playgroup

Inspection of Goslings Playgroup C/O Whitehill School, Whitehill Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 9HT

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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 and build secure relationships with their key person and the other staff. The staff get to know the children extremely well, which helps children feel secure. Children receive a warm welcome on arrival and settle in quickly. New children benefit from a gradual settling-in programme that staff tailor to meet the child's individual needs. Children move freely around the room and outside area to explore and develop their own ideas. Children particularly enjoy the outdoor area, where they are free to investigate natural materials as they learn about the world around them.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with a bright, well-organised environment. A wide range of interesting activities are attractively laid out that ignite children's curiosity and invite them to play and learn. Children behave well throughout the day. They are kind to each other and are beginning to understand the needs of their friends. Staff are on hand to support children with sharing, turn-taking and other interactions. This means there are very few instances of poor behaviour. Staff are good role models and promote positive interactions between children. Staff are aware of children's individual needs, and they collaborate effectively with parents. These positive relationships provide continuity and support children to make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a good understanding of each child, their families and their needs. Children learn about what makes them unique. They learn about different cultures and ways of life. This helps to support children to understand the world around them. n Staff promote children's understanding of leading a healthy lifestyle effectively. Children enjoy healthy snacks. They actively describe the textures and tastes of fruit and discuss foods that have nutritional benefits for their bodies. n The curriculum is a blend of child-led and adult-initiated activities that aim to cover all seven areas of learning. Staff use their knowledge of child development to plan activities based on the children's interests and next steps. They use open-ended questions to find out what children already know and extend that knowledge through meaningful interactions. For example, during an activity, staff ask the children what colours they can see. The children struggle to identify

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need to do better?

one of the colours. Staff extend children's knowledge by telling them the colour is 'blue'. Later, while picking paint, the children identify the blue paint. n Children develop excellent independence and self-help skills. For example, children complete tasks independently at mealtimes and manage their own self- care routines well. Children make independent choices about their learning from the wide range of activities and resources. This means that children are well

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need to do better?

9 December 2022 prepared to meet their own needs when they move on to school. n Children enjoy exploring the outdoor area. They develop an interest in nature and have a good range of interesting resources, inspiring their play and imagination. Staff link the outdoor role-play area to topics and children's experiences. Children play with empty boxes and pretend they are in 'dinosaur land'. This means that children's imagination and creativity are positively enhanced. n Managers understand the requirement for staff to complete a progress check for each child between the ages of two and three years. However, the procedures they have in place are not fully effective in helping to ensure that every progress check is completed in a timely manner. n Overall, children benefit from and enjoy learning together as a whole group. They listen to their favourite stories read by staff, and staff encourage them to take turns choosing songs to sing. However, some children, including those that

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need to do better?

are younger, struggle to maintain attention at these times. They sometimes lose focus, become restless or walk away. This can cause disruption, which reduces other children's engagement and learning. n Parents are very happy with the care the nursery provides. They report that their children love attending the setting and make good progress. Staff communicate well with parents. Parents get regular updates about their child's development and next steps along with activities to support learning at home. Staff offer parents guidance and information on key issues, such as potty training, dummies and irregular sleep patterns.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities to protect the children in their care from harm. Managers and staff undertake regular safeguarding training to help them recognise the signs and symptoms of when a child may be at risk. Staff know the reporting procedures to follow if they become concerned about the welfare of a child or the conduct of a colleague. Staff take time to get to know children and their families very well, which helps them to identify any concerns quickly and support families to access early help. The premises are secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorised visitors.

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should:

n review the planning and organisation of whole-group activities, considering the needs and abilities of all children within the group, so that all are equally engaged and their learning is maximised n strengthen procedures for monitoring the completion of children's progress

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should:

9 December 2022 checks between the ages of two and three years and ensure that they are all completed in a timely manner.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 146757 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10263563 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Goslings Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01462 622662 Date of previous inspection 5 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Goslings Playgroup registered under its current ownership in 2009. The setting is managed by a voluntary management committee. The setting employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am and from 12.30pm until 3pm, with an optional lunch club operating from 11.45am until 12.30pm each day. The setting 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

9 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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