Barcombe Playgroup

Inspection of Barcombe Playgroup Barcombe Village Hall, Barcombe Mills Road, Barcombe, LEWES, East Sussex BN8 5BH

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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 eagerly come into the playgroup. They greet the staff with pleasure. Relationships are warm and trusting. Children will often seek out a member of staff for reassurance and comfort. They clearly feel safe and secure. Children access the resources with confidence. They behave well, responding to the high expectations of the staff. Where there are minor disagreements between children, staff deal with the situations sensitively, explaining what is and what is not, acceptable behaviour. Children learn to be independent, pouring drinks and spreading honey on their toast. They follow the established routines. For example, they hang their coats up when they arrive and wash their hands before eating. Sharing and turn taking are an established part of daily life for the children. They know that they must wait for their turn when playing games together.

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The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. They bring in favourite items from home to talk to their friends about during 'show and tell' sessions. Children use 'story spoons' to create their own stories. They narrate these stories to an adult, who scribes for them. At mealtimes, children chat happily with their friends and the staff about their recent experiences. Staff speak to children clearly and help them to extend their vocabulary, which children then use in their play.

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need to do better?

n Children develop their physical skills effectively. They enjoy being outside in the fresh air. Children work collaboratively to make the see-saw move up and down. They have fun kicking the ball to each other, demonstrating good control. Others climb on the pirate ship. They decide the boat must go more 'speedily' because sharks are following them. n Staff provide good support to help children understand the world around them. Children are fascinated by the wood lice they find under a log. They take great interest in using the magnifying glasses to observe the minibeasts. Staff encourage children to be gentle when handling the creatures. This helps children to understand how to be kind to other living things. n Parents are very satisfied with the playgroup. Their children are happy and partnerships are strong. Parents help to establish children's starting points when they join the playgroup. They are consulted about their child's likes and dislikes.

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need to do better?

However, at times, parents are not kept well informed about their child's next steps in learning or how they can be supported at home. n Leaders hold regular meetings with staff members to discuss their performance and training needs. They ensure that mandatory training is completed. Leaders support staff in their quest to improve their knowledge and skills. Leaders are reflective and have plans to improve the setting further. For example, they are

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need to do better?

11 January 2023 planning a garden area where children can grow fruit and vegetables, to help them understand the importance of healthy eating. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, (SEND), are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator and other staff work effectively with external agencies to address the needs of these children. This enables children with identified SEND to make good progress. n Staff successfully invite members of the community to come and share their knowledge and experience with the children. For example, children were curious about where bread comes from. A local farmer, who grows cereal crops, has offered to come and talk to the children about how to grow wheat and other grains. He will bring examples to show them. n Children independently choose their own activities. For example, they requested that the role-play area become a hairdressing salon. Children have great fun

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need to do better?

collaborating together to comb each other's hair, decorate it with clips and pretend to cut it. They use a variety of descriptive language, such as 'pretty' and 'beautiful'. They know not to use real scissors on their hair, in case they cut off too much. n Staff plan appropriate activities to support learning, which are based on children's interests. They monitor children's progress and identify any gaps in learning. However, occasionally, staff are not clear enough about what they want specific children to learn, to ensure that activities are consistently challenging enough to help them make the best possible progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that all staff attend training regularly to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. She uses supervision meetings to check staff understanding of safeguarding and asks random questions relating to safeguarding on a daily basis. The manager uses records of absence and accidents to help her identify children who may be at risk. Staff know the physical and behavioural signs that may suggest a child in danger. They know the procedures to follow if they have concerns. The premises are checked on a daily basis to ensure they are safe for children to use.

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should:

n focus activity planning more precisely on individual children's specific learning needs, to ensure activities offer appropriate challenge and extend all children's learning n keep parents regularly informed about their child's next steps in learning and the activities they can do at home to support their progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY422509 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10235509 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 26 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Barcombe Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07845 937 254 Date of previous inspection 27 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Barcombe Playgroup registered in its current premises in 2011. The playgroup has been in operation since 1967. It operates from the village hall in Barcombe. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 8.45am to 2.45pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 9am to 12.30pm on Tuesday and Friday. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years old. The setting employs five staff, including the manager, who all hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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 took the inspector on a learning walk and explained how the learning activities on offer would support the progress of the children. n The inspector and the manager undertook a joint observation of children and discussed the learning that took place. n At appropriate times during the day, the inspector spoke to staff, parents and children and took their views into consideration. n The inspector held discussions with staff and leaders about their understanding of their responsibilities in keeping children safe at all times. n The inspector reviewed documents relating to safeguarding, suitability and record keeping. n The inspector observed interactions between adults and children.

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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

11 January 2023 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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