Wanstead Park Playgroup

Inspection of Wanstead Park Playgroup St. Gabriels Church Hall, Park Road, London E12 5HQ

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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 are happy and settled at this playgroup. Staff know the children and their families well. They have developed a curriculum which is led by the child and has a strong focus on supporting children's communication and personal and social skills. Staff monitor all children's progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They plan activities to support children to achieve their next steps in learning.

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The provision is good

Children generally behave well. If there is a difficulty, staff help them to negotiate with their friends. For example, when a child wants to play with the toy telephone that another child has, staff ask them to fetch a large sand timer and to let their friend know that it will be their turn when the sand runs out. Children later explain this arrangement to others to help when another child wants the same toy.

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The provision is good

Relationships are warm. Children seek out staff to reassure them if they are feeling unhappy. Staff are interested in hearing what all children have to say and give them individual time and encouragement to express themselves clearly. Staff and children love to dance and sing action songs together. Children giggle and run away as they anticipate that staff will tickle them.

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need to do better?

n Children's independence skills are promoted as staff allow them the opportunity to do things for themselves, such as wiping their own nose, serving themselves at mealtimes and pouring drinks from a jug. Staff describe the importance of their role in helping children to develop the confidence and resilience for lifelong learning to support their transition to school. n Staff promote children's literacy skills by engaging them in animated storytelling. Children are keen to get closer to the book and help to count how much food the very hungry caterpillar eats. Children are keen to explore the wide range of mark-making activities, which supports their early writing skills. n Staff provide activities to teach children early mathematical skills. During group activities, children are taught the language of size. Staff playfully say that the tiny teddy toy is a 'very big teddy'. However, at times, opportunities to further

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need to do better?

extend children's thinking are missed as activities are rushed in order for children to get ready to go home. n Children's physical development is well supported by the range of activities provided indoors and in the garden. They enjoy climbing, riding bicycles and gardening. Children proudly chat together about the pumpkins they have been growing with staff and make sure that they say 'hello' to them when they see them in the morning. However, when it is time to come in from the garden, children need to wait for a while for their friends to be ready. This results in

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need to do better?

5 October 2023 children becoming restless and jostling each other in the line, which means that staff need to intervene to sort out the issues. n Parents praise the 'village' feel that staff create at the playgroup. They appreciate the large variety of stories and nursery rhymes which children hear while they are at the setting. Children regularly visit the local library. Staff keep parents well informed about their child's progress and any changes which are happening at the playgroup. They use an online app to share updates and photos of the activities children engage in. n The management committee is very involved in the playgroup and works closely with the manager and deputy manager to ensure that a high standard of care and learning is provided. There is effective partnership with the local authority, which enables the playgroup to access additional support and advice when needed. n When children attend another setting for part of their day, staff ensure they

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need to do better?

have clear communication. This helps to ensure consistency for the children. Support is provided to help children to be ready for school, and links are made with the schools children will attend to ease their transition to the next stage in their education.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. They attend regular training in safeguarding and confidently describe the process to report a concern about the welfare of a child and the whistle-blowing process to report a concern about a colleague. Staff carry out regular risk assessments to ensure that the building and resources are safe for children and staff. Suitability checks are carried out to ensure that all staff, including temporary staff, are vetted to work in the playgroup. All staff receive appropriate first-aid training to ensure that they are able to manage any accidents or injuries.

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should:

n ensure that sufficient time is allowed for group activities so that children can fully engage in the learning opportunities n review transition arrangements further when moving between the outdoor and indoor learning environments, to minimise disruption to children's engagement in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 128491 Local authority Redbridge Inspection number 10313129 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 35 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Wanstead Park Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07305496716 Date of previous inspection 2 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Wanstead Park Playgroup has been operating since 1978. It is run by a management committee of parents and is based in St Gabriel's Church Hall, in the London Borough of Redbridge. The playgroup is open from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. There are five members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. 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 that into account in their evaluation of the playgroup. n The inspector viewed the areas of the playgroup and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager and the inspector had a learning walk together of all areas of the playgroup and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the playgroup. n Staff spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and committee members about the leadership and management of the playgroup. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The deputy manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

5 October 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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