Vicarage Lodge Preschool Community Playgroup

Inspection of Vicarage Lodge Preschool Community Playgroup 1a Highlands Road, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4PS

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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 create a calm, caring and happy atmosphere at this setting. Children are greeted warmly as they arrive. Those children who are new to the setting are supported by the nurturing staff, who give them lots of reassurance when needed. As a result, children quickly settle and are ready to start their day. Staff build strong bonds with the children and know them very well. This helps children to feel safe and secure and have a strong sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with many opportunities to develop their independence from an early age. Children happily choose what they would like to play with from a range of stimulating activities. For example, children press down on the pump bottles to choose their coloured paints to make their pictures. They show resilience as they persist to get the paint out of the bottle and ask staff for help when needed. This supports children to develop independence skills for their future learning.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff have high expectations of all children and explain clearly to them the rules of the setting. For example, staff clearly explain to children that they need to listen for their name so that they know when it is their turn to go under the parachute. Children listen intently and beam with enthusiasm as they sing and take a turn to hide under the fabric. As a result, children show a positive attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

n The provider creates a curriculum that is well sequenced and ambitious for all children. Staff gather information when children start at the setting about what they know and can do. They plan activities that allow children to build on their skills and knowledge over time. For example, children gradually build on their knowledge of letters and the sounds they represent through singing songs. Later, if they are ready to do so, they learn to form the letters in their name. This helps children to make steady progress in their development. n Mathematics is excellently embedded throughout the curriculum. Staff continually use mathematical language during activities and in everyday routines. For example, staff encourage and support children to count pieces of fruit as they put them onto their plate for their snack. They introduce children to mathematical concepts as they learn about 'long' and 'short'. This helps to

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need to do better?

support children's mathematical development. n The provider communicates with parents very well. Parents feel that their children are well cared for by the approachable and friendly staff. The staff share information with parents about their child's progress and give daily feedback. They provide information about how parents can support their child's learning at

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need to do better?

12 September 2024 home. For example, children take home learning bags and books from the setting's library. This supports strong parental partnerships. n Children develop a love of books from an early age. Staff frequently read stories and sing songs to children. They model language and introduce children to new words, such as 'telescope' as they explore the pirate treasure. Effective systems are in place to identify swiftly children who may need support in early speech and language skills. Staff plan small-group reading sessions to support any gaps. Consequently, children make good progress in their communication and language development. n Staff teach children to be respectful and kind to others in the setting. Children learn about emotions and feelings. They learn to take care of the setting's tortoise called Shelly. They carefully stroke her shell and learn how to be gentle as they bath her in a bowl. This helps children to be able to express their

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need to do better?

feelings and show care and concern for others. n Staff well-being is a priority and they feel very well supported in their roles. Staff say that they love their jobs and work very well as a team. The provider conducts regular supervision sessions and staff meetings where they reflect on practice. However, supervision sessions do not always focus on how staff can develop their teaching skills even further. n Staff celebrate and praise children's achievements. For example, children take home a teddy bear when they have a special event or are celebrating an achievement. They learn about different cultures through different festivals during the year, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. However, staff do not always enhance children's learning further to help them find out about similarities and differences in the world in which we live. n Staff provide children with many opportunities to build on their physical skills.

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need to do better?

Children enjoy time outside in the large garden. They develop their large muscles as they ride bikes and use the climbing frame. Children smile and laugh as they dance and wave scarves with their arms to familiar songs. This helps children to be active.

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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 give more incisive feedback to build on the quality of teaching n enhance the curriculum to provide children with further opportunities to learn

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should:

12 September 2024 about equality and diversity in modern Britain.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303489 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10351359 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 28 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Vicarage Lodge Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01928 500004 Date of previous inspection 30 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Vicarage Lodge Preschool Community Playgroup registered in 1965. It opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am to midday and 12.45pm to 3.45pm. A lunch club operates between midday and 12.45pm. The setting employs six members of staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3, one holds a qualification at level 4 and one holds a qualification at level 6. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n Staff spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the manager and deputy manager about the leadership of the setting. 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.

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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

12 September 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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