St Johns Green Playgroup

Inspection of St Johns Green Playgroup St Johns Green Cp School, 38 St Johns Green, Colchester, Essex CO2 7HE

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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

Staff with lead responsibility for safeguarding children fail to follow the correct procedures to assure children's safety and well-being. In addition, staff do not help children to understand the consequences of their actions. For example, when children push others in play, staff comfort the children who have been pushed, but do not consistently remind those pushing that it is unacceptable. When children throw resources on the floor, they are rarely asked to help to clear them up before going to play with something else. As a result, some children demonstrate uncaring behaviour as they run around and, on occasions, refuse to help when asked to. Although staff know the children's interests well, they do not plan effectively to help the children to gain the best experiences from their day at playgroup. For example, those children who benefit from sensory play have limited access to the playhouse created for them, which has been decorated with colourful lights, fidget

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The provision is inadequate

toys and sensory equipment to meet their needs.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, children enjoy their day at playgroup. They enter cheerfully, waving goodbye to parents and carers. Children seek their friendship group and quickly engage in play together. Some children show respect for each other. For example, they politely ask their friends if they would like to play with them and share the resources. Children enjoy the freedom to move around the indoor classroom, wet room and garden, making choices about where they play. Many children enjoy the learning experiences offered in the large garden. They help to tend the flowers and vegetables they grow, develop their physical skills as they run up and down the hills and master riding their bikes and cars down the small slope.

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need to do better?

n There are weaknesses in the management of the playgroup, which have resulted in weak safeguarding practice. Although staff undertake mandatory training, for example about safeguarding and behaviour management, their knowledge is not secure. As a result, correct procedures are not consistently followed. Therefore, children's well-being is compromised. n The manager has identified weaknesses in the management of children's behaviour and is beginning to develop strategies to help staff to manage this. However, these strategies are not embedded, so that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, learn how to understand the boundaries and rules. For example, the setting uses a sand timer to encourage children to take turns and share. However, when children struggle to take turns on a popular rope swing, staff are unable to locate the sand timer. While staff create alternative ways to manage this, it means that this strategy is

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need to do better?

inconsistent. During group activities, some children insist on standing up, which means those sitting cannot participate in the activity and soon become bored

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need to do better?

10 July 2023 and restless. Staff do not use clear explanation to help children to understand why they need to sit down or stand in an appropriate place. n The playgroup staff and managers have good relationships with parents and use effective strategies to help them to feel involved in their children's early years provision. Parents spoken to say that their children enjoy attending the playgroup and like the staff. Some parents comment on the support the managers give them to seek appropriate interventions to help to close gaps in their children's development. n Key persons generally know the children in their group well. They talk about their interests and how they plan for their next steps in learning. When key persons are not present, the manager acts as a second key person, ensuring that there is someone overseeing those children's care and learning. Children's targets and next steps are displayed, so that all staff are familiar with what they

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need to do better?

expect children to learn next. n Children have fun making 'glittery dough'. They talk about how it feels and looks. Staff support these discussions to help to develop children's communication and language skills. n Some children enjoy participating with the interactive games on the very large computer screen. They excitedly touch the screen and giggle when they make the fireworks appear and disappear. n Children's independence is generally promoted throughout their playgroup experiences. For example, children are encouraged to butter their own crackers at snack time and cut fruit. However, not enough thought has gone into ensuring that there are appropriate resources to fully promote independence. For example, children are encouraged to pour their own water and milk from large jugs. As a consequence, many children over pour and spill the milk and water over the table.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There are weaknesses in staff and manager's safeguarding knowledge, especially with regards to disclosures from parents and what action to take if there was an allegation against a member of staff. Staff undertake safeguarding training and the manager tests their knowledge. However, this learning is not secure and embedded in everyday practice to ensure children remain safe and well cared for.

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Due date

10 July 2023 ensure the safeguarding policy is implemented swiftly when concerns about children's safety are highlighted 11/08/2023

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Due date

ensure that all staff gain a secure understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures 11/08/2023

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Due date

improve the designated safeguarding lead's knowledge of what action to take if an allegation is made against a member of staff 11/08/2023

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Due date

improve arrangements for professional development to ensure that mandatory training is embedded and understood by staff and managers 11/08/2023

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Due date

improve staff's knowledge of how to help children to understand the consequences of their actions, so that they gain a consistent understanding of what is acceptable behaviour 11/08/2023

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Due date

review the way in which resources are used to capture children's interests and further enhance their independence. 11/08/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501210 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10302477 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 30 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person St Johns Green Playgroup Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07821122731 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

St Johns Green Playgroup registered in 2016. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff, of whom six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager holds an early years qualification at level 6. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until midday Friday, and from 9am until 3.30pm from Monday to Thursday. 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 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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received from the provider. n The inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about what they want children to learn. n Children shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability

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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

10 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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