The Crescent Playgroup

Inspection of The Crescent Playgroup St.Lukes Church Hall, The Crescent,Bricket Wood, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL2 3NF

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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 excited to arrive and settle well at this friendly playgroup. The manager and staff have a nurturing approach and provide an abundance of support. This enables children to feel secure in their new environment. Staff demonstrate a deep understanding of children's early experiences and interests. They use this knowledge to create a stimulating learning environment that supports the needs of all children who attend. This ensures that children remain deeply engaged in meaningful play throughout their time at the playgroup.

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The provision is good

Children form close bonds with each other. Staff make good use of regular group sessions to encourage children to get to know one another and establish friendships. Children are kind and helpful and demonstrate empathy towards others. For example, they hold the hands of their friends to warm them up after playing outdoors.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages demonstrate high levels of independence. The manager and staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to complete age-appropriate tasks. For example, they encourage children to put their own coats and boots on before going outside. Children pour their own drinks at meal and snack times and confidently use brooms to help sweep up after playing with sand.

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need to do better?

n Relationships between staff and parents are of a high standard. Parents receive continuous updates on children's progress. They attend regular consultation sessions and gather ideas about how to support children's learning at home. Parents are complimentary about staff and the nurturing care they provide. They acknowledge the positive impact this has on children's progress and well-being. n Staff place sharp focus on developing children's communication skills. They create regular opportunities for children to engage in group discussions, and they interact well with children during all activities. The manager adopts additional age-appropriate strategies to further support children's language development. For example, children take part in regular sessions to develop their early reading skills, to prepare them for their next stage of learning. n The manager and staff understand how children learn best. They are always on

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need to do better?

hand to offer support, creating an environment where perseverance is valued. For example, when children struggle in a construction activity, staff offer encouragement and advice. Children proudly show off their accomplishments and receive an abundance of praise for their efforts and achievements. n Staff adapt activities well to meet the learning needs of all children who attend. Their understanding of individual children ensures that activities are made suitably challenging. For example, children are deeply engaged in a sand activity.

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need to do better?

10 January 2024 Young children count the scoops of sand they place in various vessels. They explore concepts such as capacity by determining when containers are 'full' and 'empty'. Older children, as well as the most able, identify numbers that are hidden in the sand. They are encouraged to make links to numbers that are significant to them, such as their age and that of their friends. n Children's learning is well sequenced and builds on what they can already do. For example, children strengthen their hand muscles by creating characters and shapes using modelling dough. Staff then encourage children to develop their fine motor skills further by using paint pens to draw pictures and follow patterns. Once confident, children follow the outlines of letters and shapes using pens, building their understanding of how to hold them correctly. n The manager and staff have a strong understanding of their role in keeping

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need to do better?

children safe. They demonstrate good knowledge of the signs and symptoms that can indicate a child is at risk from harm. Staff confidently discuss the correct process to follow if they have safeguarding concerns. They complete regular, robust risk assessments of all areas of the playgroup. n Children behave well in the playgroup and are learning to resolve conflicts independently. For example, when children try to sit at the same space for lunch, they both move over. They discuss how, if they each sit on one side, they can share the chair. However, on occasion, staff do not fully support children's understanding of the consequences inappropriate actions may have on themselves and others.

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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 establish appropriate and consistent methods in developing children's understanding of the consequences of inappropriate actions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 123582 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10305426 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 34 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person The Crescent Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07516886674 Date of previous inspection 21 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The Crescent Playgroup registered in 1993. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one who holds early years teacher status. The playgroup opens from Tuesday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 2.30pm. 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 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector considered the views of parents by speaking to several during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with staff about the monitoring of learning and development in the setting and tracked the progress of several children.

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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

10 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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