St Matthew's Playgroup

Inspection of St Matthew's Playgroup St. Matthews Playgroup, Chadderton Hall Road, Chadderton, Oldham OL1 2RQ

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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 are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming setting. They leave their parents and carers with a wave, excited to start the day. Staff know the children well and use this information to help meet their individual needs. Staff spend dedicated time with children when they first start, sensitively providing reassurance and offering experiences that engage them. This means children feel secure, as they receive care and attention. This helps to promote their overall well- being.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with a rich and varied curriculum. They engage well with children as they play. For example, younger children skilfully sort puzzles while older children explore the role play area, talking about their family members. Children show delight in their achievements and have beaming smiles when they are praised. Overall, children build on their skills over time.

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The provision is good

Staff support children to recognise their emotions and resolve conflicts. For example, they encourage children to lead their own play, promoting their independence. Children work together to build with wooden blocks and take it in turn to build different structures. When complete, children are reminded to tell each other 'well done'. This ensures children are kind and considerate in their play.

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need to do better?

n Children are at the centre of everything the staff do. Staff plan a wide and exciting curriculum based on children's needs and interests. For instance, when children talk about going to the farm, staff recognise their curiosity. They set up an activity with farm animals and engage in conversation about the types of animals that live on a farm. This helps children to engage in experiences and make good progress in their learning. n The setting works closely with parents and other professionals to make timely referrals for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It uses funding to provide one-to-one and small-group sessions. The setting offers intense support for children to close gaps in their learning. It places a strong focus on helping children to transition to school when the time comes. This ensures that all children are ready for their next stage in learning. n Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play. They love playing outside

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need to do better?

together, and staff provide a range of opportunities for them to develop their physical skills. Children enjoy playing imaginative games and football with their friends. They engage in sand and water activities. Staff encourage children and show them how to use resources, which helps to extend children's learning. n Mathematics is promoted well throughout the setting, as staff support children to count out objects and recognise numbers. Staff plan focus activities,

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need to do better?

10 September 2024 supporting children to gain a concept of weight, space and measure. For instance, staff support children to learn to balance the scales. Children slowly add sand to the giant weighing scales and watch the weights rise and balance. Children are acquiring early mathematical knowledge in preparation for later learning. n Staff work with parents to develop children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and are encouraged to sit together as they eat their packed lunches at lunchtime. Staff encourage children to be independent; they collect their mats, choose their seats and pour their own drinks. Children become very confident in managing their own self-care. n Staff promote children's communication and language skills extremely well. They narrate clearly and emphasise words for children to copy. Children learn to clearly pronounce words, such as 'squidgy' and 'squashy', while making play

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need to do better?

dough. Staff ask children to vote for their favourite book each week to encourage them to become familiar with a story. Children have lots of opportunities to retell stories and develop a love of books. n The leadership team knows the staff well because it works closely alongside them. A strong focus is placed on staff's well-being. Staff welcome open team discussions, and they are provided with ongoing professional development opportunities, such as supervision sessions and training. Staff attend mandatory training, such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid. However, the coaching and monitoring of staff are not fully embedded. The leadership team does not target gaps in staff's teaching practice to raise the quality of teaching. This means, at times, the quality of learning the children receive is inconsistent with their next steps in learning. n Parents and carers express genuine happiness about the care their children

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need to do better?

receive. They know the staff well and appreciate the communication they receive about their children's experiences while at nursery. Parents comment on the progress their children have made since attending and how happy they are when they arrive. They know their children's level of development and what activities they have been taking part in. This helps support children's learning at home.

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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 continue to monitor and focus on strengthening staff practice to raise the quality of teaching for all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 508066 Local authority Oldham Inspection number 10350927 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 36

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Name of registered person

Healds Green And St Matthews Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 287 9169 Date of previous inspection 17 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St Matthew's Playgroup opened in 1997. The playgroup is led by a committee. It operates during term time only from 8.45am to 3.45pm, from Monday to Friday. The playgroup employs nine members of staff, including the manager. Of these, two hold early years professional status and four hold qualifications at level 3. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the setting's curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation. n The inspector spoke to staff and parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had 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

10 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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