Leverstock Green Playgroup

Inspection of Leverstock Green Playgroup Village Hall, Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 8QG

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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 this welcoming setting. Staff promote the setting's ethos of treating children as individuals and take care in understanding their needs and interests. This sensitive approach aids children in settling and they become confident and independent in their play. Staff show children they are positive about learning and offer them praise and encouragement. Children respond to this, confidently trying new activities and often challenging themselves. For example, children challenge themselves to complete increasingly complex puzzles. They concentrate and persevere until they complete their task.

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The provision is good

Thoughtful daily practice helps children to build a good appreciation of healthy lifestyles. For instance, children sing a song about 'catching' coughs and sneezes, talking about why this is important. Children have many opportunities that aid them in developing their physical skills. For example, they enjoy dance sessions, where they hop, wiggle and jump. Staff are good role models and have high standards regarding children's behaviour. They talk with them about this and help children to understand the effect they have on others. Children respond to this, for example, as they share the toys and resources. Ongoing explanations from staff support children in understanding safety. For instance, children understand why they need to allow each other space when doing exercises.

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need to do better?

n The manager demonstrates a genuine enjoyment of her work and is committed to the ongoing development of the setting. She and the deputy manager act as good role models, sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge with staff. Staff receive practical supervision and report that they are well supported. n Staff have a good understanding of the setting's curriculum. They use this to aid them in planning play opportunities that build logically on what children are learning. Staff ensure that activities reflect children's interests, helping to engage children and aiding them in making good progress. The manager's thorough monitoring ensures that any weaker areas in children's learning are quickly addressed. Staff are sensitive to the potential effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns and offer children additional support in developing their social skills. n Staff promote children's language and communication skills well. Children enjoy

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need to do better?

listening to stories, where they often learn new vocabulary and join in with repeated refrains. They thoroughly enjoy group activities where they use their imagination and language skills to make up stories. For example, they describe how an imaginary frog hurt their leg and how they used worms, sausages and peanut butter to make a potion to make them better. n Staff support older children to develop their skills and knowledge and to be ready to start school. They offer children small group activities which have more

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need to do better?

2 July 2024 focus, while ensuring that children have fun as they learn. For example, children giggle as they catch a toy cat. They follow instructions and learn positional language as they place the cat under, behind and on a chair. n Staff offer effective support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, enabling them to make good progress. They build secure partnerships with other professionals, helping to ensure that children receive consistent care. Furthermore, staff use their good knowledge of children to utilise additional funding appropriately to help promote children's development. n Parents speak highly of the setting. They particularly highlight the dedication staff show in understanding each child and supporting them to make good progress. Staff communicate very well with parents and the partnerships they build are a particular strength of this setting. Staff make excellent use of

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need to do better?

information from parents, for example, in understanding children's unique experiences and helping them to share these with others and appreciate diversity. n Staff teaching skills are good, and on occasion, are of a higher quality. Children enjoy their interactions with staff. However, staff do not consistently promote children's development to the highest level possible. n Daily routines during periods of transition, such as snacktime and lunchtime, are not always as well organised as possible. During these times, some children become restless and the noise levels rise. This makes it difficult for children to listen and engage.

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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 support staff to continue to develop their practice to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high standard n review the daily procedures at times of transition so that staff better support children to remain engaged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 129361 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10351681 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 44 Name of registered person Leverstock Green Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01442266270 Date of previous inspection 5 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Leverstock Green Playgroup registered in 1974. The playgroup employs nine members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including one who has early years professional status. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to midday and from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. A lunch club is offered from midday until 12.30pm. The playgroup provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager (who is also the nominated individual) joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n Meetings were held between the inspector and the manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff and committee members. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed

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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

2 July 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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