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 Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is good

Staff create a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment for children. They are kind, caring and attentive to children's needs. These positive relationships help children to approach their learning and play with confidence and enthusiasm. Children enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air. They use their imagination and pretend to make dinner from the mud, leaves and sticks. Staff consider children's interests to promote their continued learning. For example, staff observe children enjoying playing with toy cars. They help the children predict what might happen when they push the cars down the slope in the garden. Children excitedly guess which car will travel the furthest.

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The provision is good

Staff support children to engage in meaningful play. For instance, when children notice that the toy animals are dirty, staff help the children to bath the toys. Children enjoy washing and drying the animals. Staff help children to look for similarities and differences in the toy animals. Staff teach children that baby kangaroos live in the mother's pouch until they have grown. Staff encourage children to develop a love of books and reading. Children readily choose books to curl up with in the cosy spaces or sit on cushions to share with staff.

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The provision is good

Children are beginning to understand the rules and play alongside and with each other. Staff help children to share and take turns. They give children clear and consistent reminders and explanation to help them understand behaviour expectations. Staff concentrate on the positives and remind children what they need to do. For example, they remind children to use their 'walking feet'.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have worked hard since the last inspection to ensure they follow the safeguarding procedures. Recent training has helped staff to feel more confident about reporting concerns and talking openly about safeguarding children. n The manager and the staff team have made improvements to the playgroup. The manager regularly conducts training, supervision and observations of the staff's practice to support the staff to improve their teaching of the curriculum. However, the manager recognises that, on occasion, some members of staff do not always implement children's learning as effectively as others and the manager is aware that they need further coaching to enhance their practice and skills. n Children develop independence from an early age. They know they need to collect a chair and plate before preparing their own snack. Staff support children to use a knife to cut their banana and butter their toast. Children confidently

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need to do better?

9 January 2024 n Children learn how to keep themselves healthy. They develop their physical skills as they explore the climbing equipment, balance on the see-saw and ride tricycles in the garden. n Staff support children to develop their mathematical skills. Staff count from one to five and they use language such as 'big' and 'little' to talk about size. Children receive praise and recognition from staff, which helps to build their self-esteem. n Staff place high emphasis on developing children's communication and language skills. They communicate well with the children, including children who speak English as an additional language. Staff model the correct use of words and introduce new vocabulary. Occasionally, there are times when staff ask too many questions and children do not always have the opportunity to respond. This means that they do not consistently learn about the flow of conversations or

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need to do better?

have that opportunity to further extend their speaking skills. n The manager and staff identify any children that will benefit from additional support. They plan individual targets and share these with the parents to help meet the children's individual needs at playgroup and at home. The manager spends additional funding effectively to meet the needs of individual children. For example, the manager has additional staff to provide children with further support to help with their learning. n Parents are extremely happy with the playgroup. Parents comment that staff provide a family feel and get to know their children and families well. Parents feel well informed about their child's development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n support staff to continue to develop their knowledge and implementation of the curriculum, including their teaching skills n support staff to strengthen their questioning techniques to give children time to think about and respond with their answers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501210 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10305718 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 43 Name of registered person St Johns Green Playgroup Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07821122731 Date of previous inspection 10 July 2023

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Information about this early years setting

St Johns Green Playgroup registered in 2016. The playgroup employs 10 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 on a Friday, and from 9am to 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 The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n The 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

9 January 2024 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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