Ashchurch Playgroup

Inspection of Ashchurch Playgroup Ashchurch Primary School, Ashchurch Road, TEWKESBURY, Gloucestershire GL20 8LA

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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 greeted by the kind and nurturing staff. They separate from their parents with ease and enter the cloakroom, where they are supported to put their bags and coats away. Children are familiar with the morning routine. They learn to recognise their names and quickly find their name cards to self-register. Children demonstrate an awareness of their feelings and share if they are feeling happy, sad or tired. This information helps staff to tailor their interactions, to promote children's well-being from the start of the day.

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The provision is good

Staff provide inviting activities inspired by children's interests and previous learning. For example, children use their imagination as they play with small horse figures. They pretend they are having a race with each other, jumping the hurdles. Staff support children's mathematical development. They encourage children to count the number of hurdles. Children display early writing skills. They confidently use a pencil to have a go at writing numbers on a clipboard. Young children develop hand-to-eye coordination. They fill and empty buckets with sand and explore the texture as they search for different shapes. Children are motivated to play, are kind to their peers and behave well. They develop a sense of responsibility. They help staff to sweep the sand from the floor.

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need to do better?

n The playgroup's two owners are the only members of staff working with children. They have high aspirations for the quality of the provision. Staff are committed to updating their knowledge, and attend weekly training webinars. Together, they identify areas of strength and areas that they would like to enhance further. For example, they would like to create an undercover area to enhance opportunities for children's learning when outside. n Staff plan a broad curriculum. They prepare a range of activities inspired by children's interests. Staff interact and model play to extend children's learning and development. They know what children can do and what they need to learn next. However, the planned next steps for children's learning are not always precise enough to support children to make the best possible progress. n Staff promote children's communication and language skills well. They use good strategies to build on children's vocabulary. Staff model language and introduce

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need to do better?

new words during their play. For example, as children mould dough to make sculptures of their parents, staff introduce descriptive language, such as the words 'flat', 'long' and 'round'. n Staff's skilful interactions support children's thinking skills. They encourage older children to share their ideas and ask thoughtful questions during their play. For example, staff ask children, 'How do you think we could raise the car up?' Children test their ideas and display pride as they confidently show staff how the

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 car lift works. Staff and children continue to play together as they test the speed of different cars. n Settling-in procedures are well managed to promote children's emotional well- being. Staff tailor settling-in sessions to meet the needs of each child and their family. Children are able to bring a soft toy from home to provide extra cuddles and love if needed. Staff encourage children to leave their soft toy in the cloakroom, but remind them that it is there if they need it. Children are very happy, content and engaged in their play. They do not seek their soft toy for the whole morning session. n Children learn to wash their hands regularly and are supported by staff to make healthy choices at snack time. However, at times, staff do not always consider how to enhance their interactions to extend children's understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. n Parents' feedback is positive. They comment on the 'nurturing' staff and explain

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need to do better?

how pleased they are with the setting and the progress children make. Parents are supported to share children's learning experiences from home. For example, they complete 'wow vouchers' and are encouraged to share photos of children's achievements. These are celebrated within the setting and placed on display. n Children benefit from daily outdoor play opportunities. They excitedly splash in muddy puddles and develop their strength as they climb up on to the pirate ship. Staff are wonderful role models. They show children how they can use their fingers to draw pictures with muddy water. Young children explore the texture of mud. They are eager to use their fingers to make marks on stones.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a strong understanding of their role and responsibility to protect children from harm. They undertake regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff confidently identify the indicators of abuse and outline the correct procedure to follow should they need to report concerns about a child's safety or well-being. They monitor children's attendance closely. Staff call parents to find out the cause of any absence and to check that children are safe and well. Staff complete thorough risk assessments, both indoors and outdoors, to help ensure that the premises are safe and suitable for children.

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should:

n plan more precisely for children's next steps in learning to help them make even better progress n consider further ways to extend children's understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY424492 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10276299 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 20 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Ashchurch Playgroup (Tewkesbury) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07925 371472 Date of previous inspection 11 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Ashchurch Playgroup registered in 2011. It operates from the grounds of Ashchurch Primary School in Tewkesbury. The playgroup is open from 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during school term time. There are two permanent members of staff and they both hold early years qualifications at level 6. 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 setting 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 completed a learning walk with leaders of the setting to discuss activities and intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Discussions were held between leaders and the inspector to evaluate the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector considered the views of parents spoken to during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed a sample of documentation, including qualification certificates.

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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

16 March 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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