Eastington Playgroup

Inspection of Eastington Playgroup OHMG Building, Snakey Lane, Eastington, Nr Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3AQ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Warm and friendly staff welcome the children and their families into this nurturing playgroup with open arms. They prioritise forming strong relationships and getting to know the children in their care. Children enter eager to learn. They seek out their friends and quickly settle into their chosen play. Staff reassure children to help them feel comfortable around new people. They introduce visitors as 'safe' to talk to and interact with. Staff celebrate children's achievements and offer them lots of praise, which builds children's confidence and self-esteem.

p.2

The provision is good

The manager and her team have clear expectations for children's learning. They focus on promoting children's personal, social, and emotional development, which prepares them for later life. Staff want to support the children to become resilient and to be tolerant of making mistakes. They do things wrong on purpose and allow the children to point out their mistakes and laugh together. Children learn to do things for themselves. They put on their coats, pour their drinks, and tidy away their toys. Staff provide the children with knives to cut fruit and spread butter on their crackers at snack. They purposely give children the wrong number of plates to encourage them to solve problems and develop early mathematical skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are excellent role models. They encourage children to use their manners and wait their turn. Children develop strong social skills. They learn to manage their feelings and resolve any minor conflicts with little support from staff.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children discover and explore the world around them. They visit the playgroup's allotment, where they grow different vegetables and look for bugs. Staff involve the local farming community in bringing in different animals. For example, three sheep and their lambs visit the playgroup. The children share their knowledge and experiences of feeding the lambs. They touch the lambs and sheep, and notice how soft they feel. Staff talk to the children about sheep wool and how it is used. They remind children about the importance of washing their hands after touching animals and getting rid of the germs. n The manager and her team have created a well-sequenced curriculum that covers all seven areas of learning. They interact with the children at key moments to extend children's learning past what they already know. Staff provide a wide range of planned activities to support children's next stages of learning. However, staff do not always consider the timings for these planned

p.2

need to do better?

activities to ensure that children engage for long periods. This means that children become distracted by other play opportunities, which impacts on their participation and focus during activities. n Children have plenty of opportunities to be physically active. They have access to

p.2

need to do better?

10 April 2024 a large playing field and a park. Staff encourage children to challenge their bodies and take safe risks when climbing on the equipment. They encourage children to build obstacle courses and participate in movement activities, which strengthens their muscles and coordination. Children notice the effect that exercise has on their bodies. They talk about feeling hot and detect how fast their heart is beating. n Staff provide children with a language-rich environment. They continuously narrate to the children during their play and introduce new words and vocabulary. Staff plan activities and games to support those children with speech and language delays. They do small-group work and help to build children's confidence with speaking in larger groups. n Parent partnerships are strong. Staff provide the families in their care with a wide range of support and guidance. Parents state that the manager and staff

p.2

need to do better?

have an open-door policy to allow them to talk about any concerns or struggles. Parents receive detailed feedback on their child's development and next stages of learning. The key person has important discussions about any delays or emergent needs. They give parents ideas to further support learning at home. Parents state that the staff know the children well and create a family atmosphere for them and their children. n The manager and her small team work well together. They share ideas and feedback on how to improve the provision, such as creating a small sensory room where children can go if they feel overwhelmed. Staff feel valued by both the manager and the committee. They receive regular supervision where they can highlight any professional development courses that interest them. The manager prioritises their well-being and is always available to talk through any personal or work-related issues. This creates a positive workplace environment.

p.3

need to do better?

n Overall, children behave extremely well. Staff highlight the rules and boundaries of the setting and can be heard offering gentle reminders to children. However, these reinforcements are not consistent. During transition times, children become excited and run to get their coats or wash their hands. Staff, at times, do not remind children to use their 'walking feet', which results in children tripping over or running into each other.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n improve the organisation of planned activities to support children's consistent

p.3

should:

10 April 2024 engagement and participation more effectively n support staff to reinforce the rules and boundaries of the setting consistently so that children learn to behave in a safe way.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 101782 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10317415 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Eastington Playgroup Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07977342742 Date of previous inspection 23 May 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Eastington Playgroup registered in 1998. It is based in Eastington, near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. The playgroup opens four days per week during term time. Sessions run from Monday to Thursday, 9am until 3pm. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The committee employs four members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, the manager holds early years professional status, one staff member holds a relevant level 3 early years qualification, one holds a level 2 qualification, and one is unqualified.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the playgroup's first routine inspection 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 and the manager completed a learning walk where they discussed the provision and the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during indoor and outdoor play, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection and completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the deputy manager to discuss how they evaluate the provision. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took

p.6

Inspection activities

account of written testimonials. n Children spoke to and engaged with the inspector during the inspection.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

10 April 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7