Mordiford Dragons Playgroup

Inspection of Mordiford Dragons Playgroup The Portacabin, Mordiford C of E Primary School, Mordiford, HEREFORD HR1 4LW

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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 arrive happy and quickly settle at this welcoming and friendly playgroup. They are eager to play and motivated to learn. Children excitedly explore the wide range of play activities on offer. Good settling-in procedures ensure that children are ready for the move from home to the playgroup. Children receive lots of cuddles and reassurance from the kind and caring staff. This helps them to develop a sense of belonging and feel emotionally secure.

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The provision is good

Children are independent learners. They recognise their name as they self-register each morning. Children learn to make democratic decisions. For example, they vote on the book that they want staff to read to them later in the day. Children have fun as they play outside in the fresh air. They play cooperatively with their friends and learn to share and take turns. For example, they share the tools as they pretend to cook in the outdoor kitchen. Children display high levels of concentration. They carefully jump and balance on small logs. Children demonstrate good problem- solving skills. They investigate a block of ice with small figures inside. Children skilfully use a small hammer to break up the ice. Older children recall past learning experiences and ask staff for some hot water to help the ice to melt.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated manager and the staff team work very well together. They strive to provide high-quality care and education at all times. Together, they are committed to extending their already good knowledge and skills. The manager and the staff team regularly attend training to benefit outcomes for children. For example, they recently attended training to further support children's communication and language skills. n Staff form secure relationships with children. They know them well. Staff make regular observations of children's play and use this information to plan a wide range of interesting activities around their current interests and next steps in learning. Children make good progress. n Staff support children to develop a good understanding of early mathematical concepts. Staff remind children that a circle does not have corners, and ask them if they can remember what shape does. They further extend children's

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need to do better?

learning and explain the difference between two-dimensional and three- dimensional shapes. Staff introduce words such as 'flat' and 'solid' to support children's understanding. n Staff provide children with a range of activities to help them to develop strength in their hands and fingers in readiness for early writing. Children use a paint brush to make marks on an easel. They carefully squeeze and mould dough into different shapes. Children lead their own learning. They tell staff that they have made cakes and they must put them in the oven to cook.

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need to do better?

18 January 2023 n Staff have a consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. They gently remind children of the playgroup's rules, such as using their indoor voices and walking feet. However, staff are yet to provide children with enough experiences to help them to learn the language of feelings and emotions. This means that, on occasions, children display unwanted behaviours as they do not always have the vocabulary they need to express how they feel. n Staff build good relationships with the local school. In the term before children move on to school, staff organise a range of events to help children to become familiar with the school staff and be confident in their new surroundings. They take the children to visit their new classroom and meet with their teacher and older peers. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff seek some information from parents when children first begin to attend, such as care needs and routines. However,

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need to do better?

staff are yet to gather enough information about what children already know and can do at home, to help them to precisely identify where children are in their learning and effectively plan to move them forward from the outset. n Parents speak highly of the care and education that staff provide for their children. They value the open dialogue that they have with them, and appreciate how supportive staff are when it is time for children to move to school. Parents comment on the wide range of activities that children engage in and how happy their children are to attend.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to keep children safe. They complete daily checks of all areas of the playgroup to ensure that children play in a safe and secure environment. Staff attend safeguarding training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. They have a secure understanding of the signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff are able to recognise the potential signs of abuse and neglect. They know the correct procedures to follow in the event that they have a concern about a child's welfare. The manager and some committee members have completed safer recruitment training. Rigorous recruitment procedures ensure that staff are suitable for their roles.

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should:

n build on opportunities to support children to develop the language they need to effectively communicate their feelings and emotions n seek even more information from parents at induction about what children already know and can do at home, in order to identify their starting points and plan to move children forward in their learning from the very beginning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 223567 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10263422 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person Mordiford Dragons Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07929063227 Date of previous inspection 2 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Mordiford Dragons Playgroup registered in 1992. The playgroup operates from Tuesday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am to 2.45pm. The playgroup employs four members of staff, of whom three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including one with qualified teacher status.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. 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 inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector and manager evaluated a group activity together.

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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

18 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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