Derwent Road Playgroup

Inspection of Derwent Road Playgroup United Reformed Church Hall, Derwent Road, Haresfinch, St Helens, Merseyside WA11 9AT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

There is a warm, homely feel at this playgroup. Children arrive happy and engage in the activities, supported by staff. This helps children feel safe so that they are ready to learn. Staff follow a consistent routine that the children know well. This makes children more confident to follow the rules of the setting. Children's behaviour is good and they are kind to each other, sharing their toys.

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The provision is good

Children re-enact and make up stories with puppets. They decide what will happen next. For example, the bears ate the porridge in the puppet show. This shows children's love of books and knowledge of stories. Staff model language well. They use interactions as opportunities to introduce new words to children during play. Staff help to name the characters the children play with in the puppet show, such as 'Goldilocks'.

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The provision is good

Children pour their own drink from a jug. They are able to put on their coats and staff encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves. This helps children grow their independence skills. Children build with blocks, counting how many they have used. They count, add and take away cereal hoops during threading activities. These everyday activities and routines help to develop children's counting skills.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the manager and staff team have developed an ambitious curriculum. Staff have a good understanding of the curriculum intent and what this means in practice. This means that staff work together to support children's learning and development. n Leaders ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive targeted support. Staff are clear about what they want children to learn and use advice from other professionals to support their teaching. This helps all children make good progress. n Children's key persons have comprehensive knowledge of their key children. They use children's interests to engage them in learning. This has encouraged children to 'have a go' and learn skills and knowledge that they may not have been interested in. n Children's personal development is supported in a variety of ways. Staff encourage children to wash their hands, learn about oral health and talk about

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need to do better?

the fruit they like. This helps children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Yet leaders and staff have not considered how they can support children and their parents to learn about online safety. This means that not all children may understand when they might be at risk and how to get help. n Children's cultural capital is expanded through visitors coming into the setting.

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need to do better?

27 June 2023 However, since the pandemic, the children have not been exposed to as many opportunities to develop their understanding of the wider world. This means that children have fewer opportunities to learn about life in modern Britain. n Parents speak highly of the playgroup and staff. Parents and carers say the children talk about their learning at home and are excited to come to playgroup. Parents can recognise the progress the children have made since starting playgroup. One parent said, 'Playgroup is amazing! My child's speech is so much better and their motor skills have improved.' Good relationships between parents and staff are helping children to learn. n Staff welcome the support and advice they receive from the manager. They have individual targets to work on. Staff attend regular training. For example, they have recently attended training to develop the teaching of mathematics. This has had a positive impact on children, as the curriculum for mathematics

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff know signs of abuse and what to do if they are worried a child is at risk of being harmed. Leaders have a wealth of experience in supporting children. Daily risk assessments keep children safe. For example, staff ensure that sharp table edges are removed. The building is secure. Staff are aware of risks to children from radicalisation and know how to help prevent this. Staff have ongoing training to ensure their knowledge is current.

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should:

n enhance the curriculum to include opportunities to support children's understanding of online safety n provide more opportunities for children to develop their understanding of the wider world.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2624781 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10276022 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Derwent Road Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07543301452 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Derwent Road Playgroup registered in 2021. It is run by a committee and operates from designated areas in the United Reformed Church Hall in St Helens. The setting is open Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am to 3.30pm Tuesday and 12.15pm to 3.15pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There are four staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 6, one holds an early years qualification at level 4, and two hold level 3 qualifications.

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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 that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation and discussed the quality of teaching. n The inspector carried out observations of the interactions between the staff and children. n The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the manager. n Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

27 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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