Playdays Pre-school

Inspection of Playdays Pre-school Methodist Church Hall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1QA

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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 love coming to this safe and welcoming pre-school. They smile as they greet the friendly and caring staff. They separate from their parents with confidence and are eager to engage with the activities offered.

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The provision is good

Leaders provide an ambitious curriculum with planned activities covering all areas of the early years foundation stage requirements. Staff prioritise children's language, communication and emotional development. They speak clearly to children and give them time to listen, think and practise speaking. Staff encourage children to fully engage with the learning opportunities. For example, in the garden, children happily use the climbing frame and expertly ride trikes, negotiating the spaces well. They challenge themselves to walk across large tyres and balance beams. Inside, they work together in the play kitchen and roll out play dough. They persevere to create a line of 'peas'. These activities help children strengthen and coordinate their muscles and movements.

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The provision is good

Staff are excellent role models. They constantly show the children respect and have consistent routines and boundaries. This helps children know what behaviour is expected. This is particularly important to effectively support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff work together to plan activities that stimulate children's interests. For example, they provide a music area outside and have recently added a microphone to the resources. Children stand on crates and use the microphone to sing songs to their friends. Staff say that this has helped to increase children's confidence. n Children's imagination is stimulated as they play in the mud kitchen. They collect different 'ingredients' such as mud, herbs and teabags to make 'delicious cakes'. They join in sensory activities, such as picture-making using herbs and playing with slices of oranges and lemons in the water tray. Staff tell stories about exotic fruit and introduce fruits such as pineapples to look at, taste and smell. This helps children experience a wide range of fruits, learn new words and explore similarities, differences and preferences. n Young children play gently with 'babies', pretending to feed them and then draw

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need to do better?

pictures of babies on paper. This shows they are making connections in their learning. Children enjoy banging pots and pans hanging on the fence. They practise doing this loudly or quietly and imitate staff who make rhythms that are fast or slow. These activities are useful in developing early literacy skills. Children learn to distinguish differences in sounds as well as coordinating movements of their arms and hands.

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need to do better?

24 May 2024 n Staff promote children's independence skills well. For example, at snack time, children learn to pour drinks and cut up fruit. Hygiene routines are in place. For example, children have access to tissues to wipe their noses, but staff are not always consistent in noticing when some children need reminding about washing their hands or using the tissues. n Children benefit from visits into the community. They walk to the library, the museum, the pet shops and the local café with staff. These experiences give children a sense of belonging and a wider knowledge of the diverse world around them. Leaders have strong links with local schools and have a school readiness programme in place to help children prepare for the move. n Parents say that they are very satisfied with the pre-school and know what their children are experiencing everyday. They receive newsletters and see photos and progress reports through various online tools. There are regular opportunities to

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need to do better?

speak to their children's key person or the manager. Parents of children with SEND report that their children are well supported. For example, a 'now and next' board is used to see the plans for the day. Staff help all children make good progress. n Leaders give staff opportunities to discuss their work though regular meetings. They organise any additional training requested. Recent training in emotional development has given staff more understanding about how to implement effective strategies to support children with different needs. Staff are committed and passionate about their roles. They reflect on their practice and continually strive to improve.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture of safeguarding which puts children's interests first.

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should:

n develop ways to consistently support children who are learning hygiene routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142945 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10335696 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Chard Methodist Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07836672729 Date of previous inspection 25 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Playdays Pre-school registered in 1992. It operates from the Methodist church hall in Chard, Somerset. The pre-school is open during school term time, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3pm. The pre-school is in receipt of free early years funding to provide places for children aged two, three and four years. The committee employs four members of staff, all of whom hold an early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school 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 and the deputy manager conducted a learning walk and discussed the curriculum. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children and assessed the impact of the quality of education. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the deputy manager. n Parents spoke to the inspector and shared their views of the pre-school. n The inspector looked at some documentation.

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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

24 May 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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