St Andrews Playgroup

Inspection of St Andrews Playgroup St. Andrews Church, Hatters Lane, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 7NJ

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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 enter the pre-school ready to play and learn. Staff plan individualised settling-in procedures for new starters. This allows children to begin to become familiar with the pre-school and their key person. This helps children to build trusting bonds with the staff and to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Staff place a high focus on children's communication and language. They read a wide range of stories with enthusiasm and animation. As such, children eagerly invite their friends to share their favourite books with them. They thoroughly enjoy looking at books and singing songs, which helps to promote their language skills.

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The provision is good

Children confidently choose from the well-planned range of activities and become quickly engrossed. They develop their fine motor skills as they squish and squeeze play dough in their hands. They use safe pipes cleaners to make candles and proudly show staff a birthday cake they have made, counting the number of candles. This helps them to build on skills they will need at the next stage of their education.

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The provision is good

Children are well behaved and polite. Staff help children to understand what is expected of them. They allow children the time to negotiate sharing resources. This helps children to manage their behaviour and develop kind friendships.

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need to do better?

n The manager has created a broad curriculum that has a strong focus on children becoming secure and confident individuals. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and plan learning experiences that support children to build on what they already know and can do. This knowledge helps them to sequence children's learning. This helps children to make the best possible progress in their development, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Staff interactions are good, they build on children's curiosity. For example, children explore magnets independently, making discoveries for themselves. Staff help children learn new vocabulary, such as how the magnets stick to 'metal'. Furthermore, children are confident using the magnifying glasses, as they look at the different sizes and colours of various autumn leaves. This helps children to broaden their understanding of the world.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's physical development well. They teach children about road safety when they cross the car park to access the outside spaces. Children are provided with ample experiences to continuously develop their small and large muscles. For example, children pull themselves up on the rope swing in the garden. They smile with joy as they swing back and forward. Staff encourage

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need to do better?

27 September 2023 children to have a go, this helps children develop their confidence in their physical development. n Children engage in purposeful learning experiences throughout the pre-school session. The daily routine is generally well planned. However, on occasion during transition points, such as getting ready to go outside, staff do not always ensure that children's learning and engagement are promoted consistently. As a result, at these times, some children become distracted and lose focus. n Children's good health is promoted well. Staff teach children about healthy foods and making healthy food choices. They provide children with healthy snacks. For example, children learn the names of different fruits, such as 'pineapple'. Furthermore, the pre-school has created information packs that they share with parents about oral hygiene. n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They support children to

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need to do better?

demonstrate positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. Staff remind children gently that 'sharing is caring' during play. Children respond positively to this and share with their friends. n Parents are very complimentary of the pre-school provision. They comment that staff are warm and welcoming. Parents feel well informed about their children's learning. They welcome the feedback they receive. Parents report that the staff are very supportive. n Self-evaluation is accurate and identifies areas for the manager to develop further. Management implement a programme of supervision and training to help develop the practice and knowledge of staff. However, there is scope to extend and embed the current strategies more widely, to help staff develop their teaching skills and practice to a consistently high level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a thorough understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff are aware of possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They are mindful of safeguarding concerns and confidently describe what action they would take to seek support. Staff know the procedures to follow in the event of allegations against staff. They implement daily risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environment, which help to ensure that children remain safe when playing at pre-school. The manager has a robust recruitment process, ensuring that those working with children are suitable to do so.

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should:

n review the organisation of transitions throughout the day to ensure that children

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should:

27 September 2023 remain consistently engaged in their play and learning n develop systems for monitoring and coaching staff further to focus on improving individual staff practice and providing feedback to support staff in delivering the curriculum even more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY271783 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10301680 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 15 Name of registered person Smith, Susanne

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reference number

Telephone number 07906301837 Date of previous inspection 26 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St Andrews Playgroup registered in 2003. It is open from 9.15am to 12.15pm from Monday to Friday, during term time only. The setting receives funding to provide early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are four members of staff employed. The manager has qualified teacher status and two other staff members have relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff, parents and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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 September 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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