Armfield Playgroup

Inspection of Armfield Playgroup U.R. Church Hall, Armfield Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 0DL

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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 arrive at the playgroup with big smiles and confidently part from their parents and carers. They head inside, eager to greet their friends and the welcoming staff. Children recognise that staff will support and care for them, therefore they feel safe and secure. They show this as they move confidently around the indoor and outdoor areas and make choices about their play.

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The provision is good

Children respond positively to the staff's high expectations. They follow the playgroup's routines, take care of the resources and play nicely together. Children show positive attitudes to learning. For example, they are keen to help water the plants in their garden and curious to find out if they have grown. Children carefully compare their own height against that of their sunflower plants and are amazed to discover that the plants are much taller.

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The provision is good

Children acquire a good range of skills and knowledge in readiness for starting school. They learn lots of new words through the interesting topics and activities that staff provide, and they engage confidently in conversations with others. Children develop their independence well and enjoy doing things for themselves. For instance, they wash their hands before snack time and find their own snack boxes and water bottles. They tidy away their belongings afterwards and carefully dispose of any rubbish.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff provide a broad curriculum to support children's all-round development. They have identified that some children have had fewer opportunities to interact socially with others, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they provide games and activities that encourage cooperative play and promote good social skills. n Staff are positive role models and foster children's good behaviour effectively. Therefore, children are clear about the boundaries and expectations. They are kind and friendly and speak respectfully to others. Older children show excellent social skills. For example, they politely ask their friends for a turn and willingly share their toys. n Staff skilfully incorporate opportunities for children to count, calculate and explore shapes and measurements throughout routines and activities. Consequently, children develop a secure understanding of mathematics. They

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need to do better?

are confident to tackle problems and use mathematical language as they play. n Staff monitor children's progress closely and identify where they may need additional help with learning. They provide targeted interventions, such as attention-building sessions or visual aids, to help close the gaps in children's learning. Staff work in partnership with parents and other professionals to

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need to do better?

12 July 2023 support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Therefore, all children make good progress from their starting points. n Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the playgroup. They love to be active and show confidence and perseverance as they acquire and practise new skills. Children develop a broad range of small- and large-muscle movements through activities such as climbing, balancing, painting and using play dough. This provides them with a firm foundation for learning to write. n Staff and children learn about a range of multicultural festivals and events together throughout the year. This helps to promote a shared awareness of diversity. However, staff are not always proactive in finding out about and promoting the cultures and languages of the children who attend the playgroup. Therefore, children miss out on opportunities to explore their similarities and

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need to do better?

differences. n Staff urge parents to include healthy options in children's snacks. They speak to children about their favourite fruits and encourage them to taste the tomatoes and strawberries grown in their garden. However, staff could do more to promote children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, such as how food and exercise affect their bodies. n Staff say that they enjoy working at the playgroup and feel well supported by their colleagues. They complete regular mandatory training to help them keep children safe, as well as additional training to help improve their teaching. For instance, staff describe how they have learnt to deliver 'bucket time' sessions to promote children's attention skills. n Parents give positive feedback on the playgroup. They describe it as a 'home from home' and say that staff take time to get to know their children well. Parents state that their children are happy and settled at the playgroup and

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need to do better?

have become more sociable and confident since joining.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff receive regular training to help them maintain a secure understanding of safeguarding. They know about a broad range of issues that may affect the welfare of children and their families. The manager and staff understand how to identify and respond to signs of child abuse and neglect. They know how to report concerns or allegations about adults working with children. Staff use risk assessments and checks of the premises effectively to provide a safe environment. The manager uses robust recruitment and induction procedures to help ensure that staff are suitable for their roles.

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should:

12 July 2023 n help staff to further extend children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, such as the benefits of healthy eating and the positive effects of exercise n build further on the opportunities to celebrate children's backgrounds, cultures and languages to help children understand their similarities and differences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY288707 Local authority Enfield Inspection number 10301117 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 26 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Dimond, Sandra Ann

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reference number

Telephone number 07709290291 Date of previous inspection 11 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Armfield Playgroup registered in 2004. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff, three of whom hold early years qualifications between levels 3 and 6. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, during school term times only. Sessions run from 9.15am to 12.15pm. The setting provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The manager showed the inspector around the nursery premises and discussed the curriculum and how staff organise the provision. n The inspector observed a range of learning experiences, to evaluate the quality of education and the impact on children's learning. This included a joint observation with the manager. n The manager met with the inspector to discuss issues such as staff recruitment and training. She ensured that relevant documents were available for the inspector to view. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children during the inspection and considered their views and experiences.

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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

12 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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