Vicarage Road Playgroup

Inspection of Vicarage Road Playgroup Abram Community Centre, Vicarage Road, Abram, WIGAN, Lancashire WN2 5QX

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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

Staff help children to develop positive self-esteem and feel secure in offering their contributions in a group. For instance, children are confident to lead group singing sessions. Staff prepare children well for their move on to school. Children's days are well structured, and the consistent routines help to build their confidence. Children wear their playgroup uniform with pride. This helps them to view playgroup as a step in their journey towards school. Children develop positive attitudes towards their play and learning. Staff help children to understand their expectations. They are quick to offer praise for children's achievements and step in swiftly to help them resolve frustrations. As a result, children behave well and begin to understand how their behaviour affects others.

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The provision is good

Staff read to children often throughout the day, helping them learn to love books. Children enjoy gathering around staff to listen contentedly to stories. Staff involve children in choosing their favourite stories to read. They discuss the content and ask questions to check children's understanding. This helps to build on children's vocabulary and communication skills. Staff help children to consider their own safety. They discuss how to climb safely as children look forward to outdoor play.

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need to do better?

n Leaders consider children's physical development well. Staff support children to balance and climb in the outdoor area. They help children to develop small- muscle control by carefully stacking objects, for example. Staff teach children to hold a pencil correctly as they develop their artistic skills too. This helps children to develop coordination and precision, giving them a firm basis on which to build their skills. n Leaders prioritise children's developing independence skills. Children learn to put on their own coats and know where to put their lunch boxes. Staff help children to gain confidence in their self-care skills and learn to respect each other's privacy. Children learn and practise key skills as they work towards their move on to school. n Staff help children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children brush their teeth daily at playgroup and are keen to show their parents how to do this correctly.

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need to do better?

They understand why and when it is important to wash their hands. Children begin to develop healthy habits for life. n Staff help children to understand how they are each unique. For instance, they discuss different hair and eye colours and different types of families. Staff include some cultural celebrations in their planning but they do not always help children to develop an understanding about the wider world. n Leaders' relationships with parents are supportive and friendly but strategies to engage with parents are not all well embedded. For example, leaders do not

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need to do better?

7 February 2024 always manage to gather enough relevant information from parents about children's development and experiences. This can hinder their ability to plan precisely for children's learning from the outset and to bridge gaps in children's experiences effectively. n Staff use their own knowledge to assess children's progress. They get to know children well and understand their individual needs. Staff understand how to sequence and build on children's understanding and skills. This helps children to make good progress in their learning across the curriculum. n Leaders work effectively with other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders use additional funding effectively. Children with SEND make progress from their starting points. n Leaders are dedicated to providing a positive experience for children. They demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the playgroup and regularly evaluate

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need to do better?

their practice and provision. Leaders source training to improve staff's knowledge and skills. This benefits children's learning and helps them to enjoy their time at playgroup.

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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 develop more ways to introduce children to other communities and lifestyles to help them begin to understand more about the wider world n develop ways of engaging with parents to gather relevant information about children's achievements and experiences to support staff to plan accurately for children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477601 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10317159 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 12 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Pilling, Sian

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reference number

Telephone number 07545882626 Date of previous inspection 17 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Vicarage Road Playgroup registered in 2014 and is located in Wigan, Lancashire. The playgroup employs two members of childcare staff, who both hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. 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 Leaders discussed the organisation of the early years provision with the inspector, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the playgroup. 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 Leaders carried out joint observations of group activities with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to staff during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Leaders provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

7 February 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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