Westfield Playgroup

Inspection of Westfield Playgroup Church Hall, Vicarage Lane, Westfield, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4SD

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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 secure at this playgroup. The staff team have developed a warm and welcoming relationship with the children, which helps to build children's self esteem. Children show signs of being confident and excited as they talk about what they are going to play.

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The provision is good

Behaviour is positive and managed sensitively by teaching children empathy and ways to identify different feelings and emotions. Children considerately wait their turn for snack, and they treat living things, such as insects, with total care when exploring.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a range of first-hand experiences during their time at the playgroup. For example, they have recently enjoyed visits from local fire fighters and police, and they have seen baby lambs from the local farm. Children gain a good understanding about the world around them.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy time outdoors, exploring the natural environment. Staff provide an array of exciting activities, which they use to generally extend children's learning as they play. For example, staff encourage children to hunt for real snails hiding in the habitat they have created. Children follow the trail made by snails to find them and use a magnifying glass to take a closer look. Staff encourage the older children to use books about bugs to find out more about the snails they have found.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff work together to design a broad curriculum. Children who might need additional support are identified quickly, and plans are put in place to help them to achieve. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive a consistent approach to their learning needs. However, at times, children lose interest and become distracted during adult-led group activities. Staff do not organise group activities to their full potential to ensure that all children are able to engage in the learning opportunity. n Staff encourage children's mathematical development effectively. Children are encouraged to regularly use mathematical language in their play. They confidently count and identify numbers in sequence. Staff help children to identify and understand the concepts of size and quantity. n Children have lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills. They enjoy

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need to do better?

practising their balance and coordination on the ride-on bicycles. Children learn to balance carefully on climbing equipment. They are very well supervised and supported to manage risks safely.

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need to do better?

11 May 2023 n Staff place a focus on developing children's communication and language skills. For instance, they narrate the children's play and emphasise key words in their interactions to help enhance children's understanding. However, staff do not consistently adapt their interactions effectively when talking to younger children. This impacts on younger children's ability to be fully involved in some learning opportunities. n Staff support children to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles. During lunch and snack times, staff talk to children about the benefits of healthy food choices and regular exercise. Children discuss their awareness of the benefits of calcium in their diet. n Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their independence and social skills in readiness for school. They show a can-do attitude. For example, during sociable snack times, children make choices, pour their own drinks and

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need to do better?

remove their own names from the board to show they have participated in the snack time. Children learn strategies to independently put on their coats and understand how to thoroughly wash their hands as part of their everyday hygiene routines. n Parents speak exceptionally highly of the staff team. They report that staff go 'above and beyond'. Parents comment that staff consistently share ideas to support further development and learning. Parents are proud of the playgroup and feel their children are well cared for and settled. Partnerships with parents are strong. n Regular self-evaluation and effective team working contribute to a well- organised provision. There are good opportunities for the professional development of staff. For example, staff access a range of training topics and support from the manager and have recently enhanced children's and parents' awareness of promoting healthy lifestyles.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff are aware of how to safeguard children. They can identify when children may be at risk of harm and know to whom they must refer any concerns. Staff have good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding, including female genital mutilation, radicalisation and county lines. Additionally, they know how to report concerns about staff who work with children. The manager ensures that staff safeguarding training is up to date, and there is a robust recruitment and induction procedure, which ensures that staff are suitable to carry out their roles with adequate training.

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should:

11 May 2023 n enhance the organisation of group activities more effectively, to ensure that all children remain fully engaged in their learning n strengthen communication with younger children to support their learning and vocabulary further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109538 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10285768 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 24 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Westfield Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07790744404 Date of previous inspection 18 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Westfield Playgroup registered in 1986. It operates from a church hall in Westfield, East Sussex. The group opens during school term times only. Opening hours are from 9am to 3pm, on Monday to Thursday. The group is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The group employs seven staff, of whom six have a relevant qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school 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 spent time talking with the manager, parents, staff and children. n The manager and inspector conducted a joint observation to evaluate the quality of teaching. n The inspector observed activities, inside and outside. n The manager conducted a learning walk with the inspector to discuss the curriculum and how they organise the provision.

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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 May 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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