St Peter's Playgroup

Inspection of St Peter's Playgroup St. Peters Church Hall, St. Peters Road, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 7DX

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is inadequate

The quality of education and safeguarding practice is variable. The manager does not make sure that staff have secure safeguarding knowledge or that they retain information they have learned well enough. Staff do not fully understand the safeguarding procedures that they need to take in the absence of the manager.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff do not engage children in activities that extend their learning or use language that will help children to think and be curious. Children do not benefit from a consistently implemented curriculum that links to their next steps in learning. Staff do not have strong conversations with children which will enable them to learn new vocabulary and have new experiences. Children are disinterested in the activities that are provided. Therefore, they spend a lot of time running around the room throwing toys without learning about the consequences; for example, that they may break. The manager does not ensure that additional funding for children is spent appropriately so that all children make progress in their development.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses, children make strong relationships with each other and embrace all opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they are confident to climb a large frame indoors without support from adults. All children are excited to spend time outdoors and they enjoy investigating the planting area. Children are seen giggling and laughing as they follow each other around the garden. They are given the opportunity to explore sinking and floating. However, staff do not consistently interact with children and do not identify what they already know and can do.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to make sure that all staff know and understand the safeguarding policies and procedures for the playgroup. All staff do not have a strong understanding of safeguarding, in particular the 'Prevent' duty and county lines. Staff are aware to seek support from the manager. However, they are unclear on what to do if the manager is not present. The manager has not needed to recruit permanent staff for a number of years. However, some temporary staff have not had inductions to enable them to understand policies and procedures effectively. n The manager does not give clear information to her staff on what the curriculum is. Not all staff understand how to implement the curriculum or how to support children's next steps in learning through activities. As a result, the quality of education is poor. Children very quickly flit between activities as they become bored and do not understand any of the activities set out. The manager is aware

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need to do better?

of what staff need to do to improve but has not yet implemented any actions to effect change.

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need to do better?

21 June 2023 n Staff provide opportunities for children to explore using their large muscles. For example, children are encouraged to use the large climbing frames and they have access to bicycles, sit and ride cars and a balancing beam. n Staff do not question children effectively or have the confidence to allow children to experience new opportunities independently. For example, during a mixing paint activity, children were directed on what colours to use and were not given the chance to experience making these changes for themselves. n Staff do not support children's interests in creativity. For example, an art easel was placed out, but children were not encouraged to use it to express themselves. Children were not observed using small-muscle skills regularly during the day. n Staff do not plan well enough for changes to activities and routines. For example, when children are sitting down singing good morning to each other,

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need to do better?

staff tell them it is now time to brush their teeth. Children have to go to the other side of the room to sit down and engage in a quick toothbrushing activity. However, some children have not yet taken part in the activity of saying hello to each other. This results in children being interrupted and, as a result, not really understanding the importance of these events. n Staff promote children's health with healthy snacks and fresh drinking water at mealtimes. However, throughout the morning, children are not offered a drink of water until snack time. Staff ensure that children regularly wash their hands after using the toilet and wiping their nose. Children have a developing understanding of hygiene practices. n Communication between staff and children is limited. Staff ask closed questions and give children directions. Children are not able to have lengthy conversations with staff. For example, children playing with a doll's house are told, 'Put baby in

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need to do better?

there he will fit, put the baby on the sofa that is better.' Staff are not promoting back and forth conversation or helping children to work things out for themselves. n The manager and staff do not ensure that robust risk assessment is implemented effectively to identify and remove all potential hazards to children, such as broken play equipment. Not all resources used are in good condition. Electronic toys, such as mobile phones, do not have working batteries, and play food within the home corner is chewed and unrecognisable. n The manager does not ensure that additional funding, such as pupil premium funding, is spent appropriately to ensure that the children in receipt of it make progress in their development. Instead, this funding is used to support the general upkeep of the playgroup. n The curriculum for mathematics is poor and limited mathematics activities are available to children. The curriculum for mathematics does not provide support

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need to do better?

for children's developing understanding of counting and mathematical concepts. n The nursery manager does not ensure the setting's safeguarding and mobile phone policies are followed in relation to the use of mobile phones in the setting and the storage of photos and information.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.4

Safeguarding

Staff do not have a secure knowledge of safeguarding. They know the signs that indicate a child may be at risk from abuse or harm but are unsure about what to do in the event of the manager not being present. Not all staff can demonstrate their understanding of the 'Prevent' duty, county lines and the role of the local authority designated officer. Not all staff have been through a robust recruitment procedure and have not received a beneficial induction to the playgroup. Leaders are committed to a multi-agency working approach, ensuring that families are supported. Staff ensure that children have a safe and secure space to explore.

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Due date

ensure that those who take responsibility for safeguarding children can identify, understand, and respond to signs of possible abuse, in particular in the event of an absent manager 10/07/2023

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Due date

plan and deliver a clear curriculum for children, with activities that help to promote children's interests and engage them in appropriately challenging activities, in particular supporting language and mathematics. 10/07/2023

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Due date

implement effective systems for staff induction, supervision, coaching and training to improve staff's retention of knowledge 10/07/2023

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Due date

use additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, appropriately to ensure that all children make the progress they are capable of 10/07/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff understand and implement the mobile phone policy and procedure at all times, ensuring that children are protected and not at risk 10/07/2023

p.4

Due date

21 June 2023 demonstrate effective procedures for staff recruitment and vetting to show that staff suitability has been robustly assessed 10/07/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that robust risk assessments are implemented which are effective in identifying and removing all potential hazards to children, such as broken play equipment 10/07/2023

p.5

Due date

ensure that fresh drinking water is made available and accessible to all children at all times. 10/07/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 206875 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10289146 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 33 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Skellington, Lynne

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reference number

Telephone number 01298 79737or 07970 780160 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

St Peter's Playgroup registered in 1981 and is privately owned. It is located in Buxton, Derbyshire. The playgroup employs two members of childcare staff, both of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are each morning from 9am until midday, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from midday until 3pm. 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 playgroup received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken into account in their evaluation of the playgroup. n The manager gave the inspector a tour of the premises. n Documents were presented, such as first-aid certificates and Disclosure and Barring Service checks. n The inspector spoke to the manager, staff, parents and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager observed children during activities and followed this up with a discussion about leadership and management.

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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

21 June 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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