Mayday Playschool

Inspection of Mayday Playschool 45 Bush Road, Cuxton, Rochester, Kent ME2 1LP

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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 of all abilities are settled, confident and happy at the playgroup. Staff have a good understanding of their curriculum and how they implement it effectively to ensure it is ambitious for every child. All children are keen to participate in motivating activities. For example, they explore water in different ways, such as washing the 'babies', and staff teach them how to blow bubbles. Staff support children to have an interest in, and learn about, the natural world. For instance, they carry out bug hunts and learn about the life cycle of a caterpillar. Children learn to express their own ideas and be creative. This is demonstrated as staff encourage them to explore different ways to make patterns. This includes children using their hands and paint to make their own unique art.

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The provision is good

All staff are positive role models. Children are polite and behave well. They are kind and caring. For example, they offer hugs of comfort and words of encouragement as they happily play team games together. Children develop good physical skills. For example, they confidently and safely use a wide range of equipment. Children develop good hand-eye coordination. This is demonstrated when they take turns throwing balls into buckets with accuracy and success.

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need to do better?

n Staff establish secure and trusting relationships with all children. They get to know children well, including what makes them unique and their individual needs and abilities. Children enjoy the company of staff and each other. They are keen for staff to join in with their running games and laugh happily as they play together. n All children have a positive attitude towards their learning. Staff support children to make good progress. This includes children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, staff implement strategies that support children effectively. For instance, they use visual prompts, such as simple signing and picture cards. This helps staff to communicate effectively with all children. n The manager and staff establish positive partnerships with parents. They keep them fully informed about their children's learning, next steps and achievements. Staff regularly provide information about the activities children have enjoyed.

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need to do better?

They share ideas to help parents extend children's learning at home. For example, staff give guidance about how children's oral health can be promoted. n Overall, the manager monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide children. She routinely observes staff interacting with children and shares her constructive feedback. However, some staff are less confident than others about their full roles and responsibilities. Therefore, staff supervision and monitoring do not fully identify all areas where staff would benefit from

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need to do better?

4 July 2023 additional support and mentoring, to ensure teaching is consistently of the highest standard. n Generally, all children are motivated by their learning experiences. During chosen activities or small-group activities, they remain focused and interested to learn. However, at times, staff are not quick to identify when children would benefit from better organisation of large-group activities and a choice of an alternative activity. For instance, some children become uninterested during a large-group story, and they become a little distracting to those children who are engaged. n All staff attend beneficial training. They have recently learned about the different ways to communicate effectively with children. This has helped them to make singing and rhyme time purposeful, to build on children's developing language skills. Staff support children to communicate their ideas with confidence. For example, they now allow children time to think before they share their answers

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need to do better?

when they ask them a thought-provoking question. This allows children to have more time to process information appropriately. n The manager and staff ensure the playgroup is inclusive and diverse. They help children develop a good understanding of other people from around the world, including their traditions. For example, children learn about Diwali as they talk about the festival of light. Children learn to respect others. For instance, they talk about different skin tones and family structures.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of all safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. They fully understand the signs and symptoms of abuse to be vigilant for, and they know how to raise and follow up any issues. Staff know who to contact to seek advice regarding any potential concerns. This includes knowing how to manage any allegations against staff. Staff complete thorough risk assessments to help minimise hazards and keep children safe. Staff teach children how to keep themselves and each other safe. For example, children are confident to talk about the rules of crossing the road during regular walks in the community.

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should:

n strengthen the monitoring of staff practice to make it more effective in raising the quality of teaching n improve the organisation of large-group activities to make sure all children remain fully engaged and benefit from purposeful learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY407467 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10295425 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 22 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Chilton, Lesley

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reference number

Telephone number 01634296636 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Mayday Playschool registered in 2010. It is located in Rochester, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am until 3pm, term time only. Funding is accepted for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs seven members of staff, five of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 2 and above. This includes four members of staff who have an early years qualification at level 3.

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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 carried out a learning walk with the manager. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n The inspector reviewed written documentation. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the manager, children, parents and staff at convenient times and considered their views.

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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

4 July 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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