Smalley Pre-School Playgroup

Inspection of Smalley Pre-School Playgroup Church Hall, Main Road, Smalley, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 6EF

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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 make good friendships and enjoy their time at the playgroup. They behave extremely well. Staff are teaching children the skills to cooperate and negotiate during their play. Children demonstrate high levels of independence. They are confident to move between the indoor and outdoor space and make decisions about what they play with. Children are learning to manage their own self-care skills. For example, they use a particular technique that helps them to put on their coat without needing assistance from staff.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy imaginative play. Staff ensure that activities are well resourced to support this play. Children pretend they are at the hairdressers and take on different self-chosen roles. A member of staff provides very effective support for their learning. She supports one child to take the appointments and record these in the appointment book. As she is having her hair done, she uses very descriptive language to support children's expanding vocabulary. The member of staff skilfully supports a child when she recognises they are not familiar with the correct word for the customers. Children engage in this play for a long period of time and are enthused to tell others what they are doing.

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need to do better?

n The committee has a professional approach to managing the setting. There is a very effective process to ensure that all new committee members have completed relevant checks, understand their role and responsibilities, and have completed safeguarding training. n The manager has a clear vision: to support all children to be well-rounded, independent individuals who have the key skills they need for their future learning. Careful consideration is given to what children will learn from each activity to ensure this is meaningful and appropriate for their age. n Staff plan activities and resources according to children's interests. Children are very keen to join in and sustain their engagement in play for long periods of time. Children's preference for indoor or outdoor play is well supported, as staff open up the setting throughout most of the session and ensure that snack is available outside as well as inside.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide well-planned small-group activities to help children to develop their concentration and attention skills. The member of staff shows lots of enthusiasm, which helps to engage the children. The consistent use of signs to reinforce what they are saying helps children to recognise what is happening next. Outside, staff join in with children's imaginative play. Children learn to recognise numbers and respond to instructions. However, staff sometimes talk to children about things they already know rather than providing challenge to extend their knowledge.

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need to do better?

29 February 2024 n The well-qualified staff team provides very good support for children who need additional support, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents and carers commend the staff for the exceptional levels of progress their children make. n A strength of the setting is how the manager ensures there is frequent and informative communication between the staff team. This means that all staff members know each child really well, including where they are in their development, and can ensure they are safeguarded and their needs are met. All staff are clear on their roles and responsibilities and contribute to a well- organised session that gives children opportunities to engage in a variety of activities. n Training is carefully chosen to meet children's needs and support their learning further. Recent training in supporting children's communication and language is

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need to do better?

helping staff to focus on developing children's vocabulary. However, although supervision is in place and is used to establish where staff need to improve their practice, this does not currently address the occasional inconsistencies in teaching with regards to ensuring appropriate levels of challenge. n The manager has established effective partnerships with the local school to support children's transitions. There is information sharing with some of the other settings that children attend. However, this is not fully established to ensure consistent support for all children. n Through activities and discussion, staff help children to understand how to keep themselves healthy. When they have been running around outside, the children recognise that they need a break, and a member of staff talks to them about cooling down and getting a drink.

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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 supervision arrangements to provide children with consistently high levels of challenge in order to help them to make the best possible progress n develop further the partnership working with other settings that children attend to provide consistent support for their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 206856 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10316745 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 31 Name of registered person Smalley Pre School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07903129575 Date of previous inspection 2 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Smalley Pre-School Playgroup registered in 1992 and is in Smalley, Ilkeston. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level three or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The playgroup opens from 8.45am to 2.45pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am to 12.45pm on Friday, during term time. The setting 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 spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the playgroup and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took

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Inspection activities

account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playgroup.

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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

29 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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