St. Nicolas Playgroup (Taplow)

Inspection of St. Nicolas Playgroup (Taplow) The Reading Rooms, Taplow Village Centre, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 0EX

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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 especially enjoy playing outside in the well-resourced and carefully planned outdoor space. Staff offer them exciting opportunities to practise their physical skills and to explore and investigate the natural world. Children delight in planting daffodil bulbs and are excited to watch them grow. They enthusiastically dig in the mud and pour water carefully as they explore the two textures. Staff thoughtfully organise resources and equipment so that children can make independent choices and decisions. Children are supported well to take reasonable risks and learn how to handle real tools, such as hammers. They delicately pick flowers using scissors. They learn how the colours of the flowers transfer onto white cloths as they bang them with the hammers. Children are in awe of the patterns they make and proudly display their creations on a line.

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The provision is good

Staff take time to get to know children and their parents when they first join the setting. They gather relevant information and use this to plan carefully for children's individual care and learning needs. As a result, children are supported to make good progress from the outset.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff sensitively support them to share, take turns and to negotiate any minor disputes. Children play together cooperatively, and staff support them to make friends. Staff are good role models. They encourage children to be respectful and kind to each other.

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need to do better?

n Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make a strong start to their learning in this warm and nurturing setting. Children who are new to the setting are very well supported by skilled and knowledgeable staff, who help them to feel quickly at home in their new surroundings. Children make good progress overall and are well prepared for the next stage of their learning, including starting school. n The manager is passionate in her approach towards delivering strong and purposeful leadership. She has led staff in developing a clear and focused curriculum to help children to progress in all areas of their learning. The curriculum is based on a deep understanding of the community the setting serves. Staff morale is high. Staff say they are supported well to access a wide range of training and feel their contributions are valued. n Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the care their children receive. They

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need to do better?

comment on the warm, welcoming, home-from-home ethos of the setting. Parents say their children make good progress, particularly with their communication and social skills. Parents value the emotional support from staff, who take the time to get to know their children as unique individuals. This

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need to do better?

5 October 2023 includes parents of children with SEND. n The manager and staff have developed a curriculum that is well sequenced. Key persons understand how children learn. They differentiate learning to meet the needs of all children. They know the stages of development that children are at and what they want them to learn next. n Children enjoy group time and independent play. They eagerly join in with story time and offer their ideas when asked questions. However, during some group times and transitions, staff do not always limit distractions around children in order to support their listening and attention skills. n Staff promote healthy lifestyles. They talk to the children about healthy foods and the importance of washing their hands before snack and after planting daffodils. Children are beginning to understand how to make healthy choices. Staff follow local recommendations on key issues within the community, such as

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need to do better?

oral health. Children learn about the importance of regularly brushing their teeth and discuss how many times a day they do this. Props, such as model teeth and toothbrushes, allow children to experiment and practise effective brushing techniques. n The manager and staff are very reflective and have strong systems in place for gathering the views of children, staff and parents. The manager and her staff are committed to providing a quality provision and ensuring children achieve positive outcomes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff have a secure understanding of safeguarding and child protection. This includes what they need to do should they have concerns about a colleague or a member of the senior leadership team. The recruitment and vetting of staff are robust. The setting is safe and secure. Staff understand and implement the setting's policies and procedures well. As a result, children play and learn in a safe environment, both indoors and outdoors. Children are reminded about taking care when climbing and running, and they learn how to use real tools safely.

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should:

n improve the organisation of group times and changeover times to take account of the needs of all children and ensure learning is always maximised fully.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY240777 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10305016 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 36 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person St. Nicolas Playgroup (Taplow) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07538 491 936 Date of previous inspection 8 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St. Nicolas Playgroup (Taplow) registered in 2002. It operates from the village of Taplow, in Buckinghamshire. The sessions operate Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 9.15am to 3.15 pm, and Wednesdays, from 9.15am to 12.15pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs eight staff. Of these, five are qualified to level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of an activity taking place outside. n The inspector held a discussion with the manager in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of recruitment, staff's qualifications and their suitability to work with children. n The inspector spoke to parents, children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning.

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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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