Shelswell and Fringford Playgroup

Inspection of Shelswell and Fringford Playgroup The Green, Fringford, Oxfordshire OX27 8DY

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at playgroup. Staff place a strong focus on building children's personal, social and emotional well-being. Children benefit from the trusting and respectful relationships they develop with staff and their friends. Younger children, and those who are new, settle happily as staff offer a warm welcome to them. This helps children to feel safe, confident and well cared for.

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The provision is good

Staff identify children's specific needs early on and provide targeted support. They seek help from outside professionals readily, where necessary, and this contributes well to supporting children's further development. In addition, good arrangements are in place to support children who speak English as an additional language.

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The provision is good

Children explore a variety of sensory materials to help develop their sense of curiosity. For example, children use scoops, spoons and tongs to explore coloured rice as they transfer it into a range of different-sized containers. Children mould dough with their hands, competently use paint brushes and make marks with large pencils. This helps them to build the muscles they need in preparation for early writing. Children learn about a range of different cultures and celebrations. For example, children dress up in a range of traditional Chinese costumes, explore food with chopsticks and look at books and maps with Chinese print.

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need to do better?

n The manager is very experienced and dedicated to her role. She leads her established team well and ensures their knowledge remains up to date. Staff work together to get to know children and their families in depth. This has advantages for helping to keep children safe and for staff to build on their learning. n Staff have a good understanding of their curriculum and how children learn. They plan a rich and varied selection of well-organised activities to encourage children to explore and build on what they already know. This helps children to make good progress. n The manager regularly observes staff practice and provides feedback on their strengths and areas they can improve. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings. They receive targeted support and training to help raise the quality of their practice and skills. For example, all staff have undertaken training on children's self-regulation, which has had a positive impact. Staff feel their well-

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need to do better?

being is supported effectively. n Literacy development is promoted well at the playgroup. Children have access to a wealth of books, print and mark-making equipment. Staff read to children throughout the day and encourage them to discuss the stories they hear. However, large group story times are not always organised well enough. They

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need to do better?

31 January 2024 are sometimes too long for some children and the group size is too large. Consequently, some children lose interest and become distracted. n A strong key-person system is in place. Staff understand the importance of this role in helping children build attachments and feel safe and secure. n Children confidently self-select resources and join in with activities organised by staff. However, the deployment of staff is not fully effective and on occasions, staff leave adult-led activities to support minor tussles and reinforce their good behaviour expectations. This can leave children, who would benefit from staff's interaction, unsupported in the adult-led activities. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents leave glowing testimonials praising the stable staff team. They feel supported with how to help their children at home and receive regular updates about their children's learning.

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need to do better?

n Children go on outings in the local community that are linked to the curriculum. For example, they visit the neighbouring school to see hatched chicks and visit the local church to see, and hear, the bells ring. In addition, the playgroup supports, and is supported by, local community projects, such as the community hygiene bank and the local baby bank. For example, a range of hygiene products are donated to the playgroup for their use. This helps children to develop an understanding of their community and the wider world. n Overall, children behave well in the playgroup. Staff are good role models and teach children the rules and expectations of playgroup. For example, children are reminded to use 'indoor voices', and when children struggle to share, staff support children to resolve minor conflicts with the use of timers and turn taking. n Staff work together to use any extra funding to nurture the interests of children

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need to do better?

with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and help them to reach the next steps in their development. For example, staff provide one-to-one support, tailored staff training and further resources.

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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 strengthen the organisation of large group story times to help all children remain engaged in purposeful learning n review and improve the deployment of staff during adult-led activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY254216 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10312402 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 24 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Shelswell and Fringford Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01869278687 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Shelswell and Fringford Playgroup registered in 2003 and operates from the village of Fringford, in Oxfordshire. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, all staff hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 2 and 5. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The playgroup is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years, and early years pupil premium.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector had a learning walk with the manager through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through written and verbal feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager carried out a joint observation with the inspector. n The inspector looked at a sample of the documentation. This included evidence about suitability and qualification records.

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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

31 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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