Little Badgers Playgroup

Inspection of Little Badgers Playgroup St Peter's Parish Centre, High Street, Whetstone, Leicestershire LE8 6LP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Older children arrive with excitement and joy to this welcoming playgroup as they greet staff by name and shout out to their friends to come and play. Staff are friendly and kind towards children. When children are unsettled, staff provide them with reassurance and cuddles. This support helps children to form secure attachments with staff.

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The provision requires improvement

Although there is a curriculum in place, this is not consistently implemented for younger children or some children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teaching is sometimes inconsistent. Not all staff understand how to promote and extend all aspects of younger children's learning or those younger children with SEND. Despite these gaps, children explore the activities available to them and have fun as they learn. Older children play well together, and staff help them learn to share and take turns. For example, when children want the same toy, sand timers are used to help them learn when it is their turn. Children watch with anticipation as the sand falls through the timer, immediately showing this to staff when the sand has all fallen through.

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The provision requires improvement

Children learn to behave appropriately in the playgroup through positive role modelling from staff and the implantation of 'golden rules'. Staff remind children of these every morning during circle time and again at pertinent times, such as tidy- up time. As a result, children behave well and listen and follow instructions from staff.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff know the children well and plan a curriculum to reflect what it is they want children to learn next. However, not all staff know how to deliver this effectively, particularly for younger children and those younger children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). During some activities, staff are unsure how to support children's next steps or extend their learning, which results in children lacking focus and attention. n The manager generally supports her staff team by offering regular team meetings, supervision and some training to continue professional development. Staff speak highly of her and feel they are well supported. However, the manager does not identify when teaching is inconsistent. She does not monitor and evaluate staff practice well enough, which means that not all children are supported fully in their learning. Consequently, younger children and younger

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need to do better?

children with SEND are not always well supported to make consistently good progress. n Staff promote children's physical skills well, and children spend lots of time outside in the fresh air. Children develop their small- and large-muscle skills.

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need to do better?

26 September 2024 Younger children enjoy using spoons and cups to pour water into jugs, and the older children begin to handle pencils and crayons as they make marks on paper. All children show good balancing skills as they move along beams in the outside area and use control on wheeled toys. n Children learn new words as staff join in with their play. For example, when children play with a large truck, staff use words such as 'gigantic' to enable them to use other descriptive words when describing size. However, sometimes, staff do not spend enough time talking to younger children to help them build on their growing vocabulary. n Staff share information with parents about what their children like to do at playgroup and what they have learned. They send 'all about me' sheets out each term to ensure parents share any changes in children's care needs and interests from home. However, staff do not always discuss with parents how they can

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need to do better?

further support their children in all areas of their development at home. That said, parents speak positively about the experiences their children receive and how much they appreciate the level of care and attention given to their children. n Where teaching is implemented well children respond positively and actively engage in their learning. For instance, during a story session, children listen well and use their imagination as they use props to 'stomp' in the mud, 'swirl' through the pretend snowstorm, and 'splash' through the water. They squeal with delight as they hide from the 'bear' under a bed sheet.

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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 interest first.

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Due date

ensure staff implement the curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of all children, in particular the younger children and those younger children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) 24/10/2024

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Due date

ensure effective monitoring of staff is implemented to ensure that any gaps in teaching are identified and supported to build on teaching practice. 24/10/2024

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should:

n help staff to learn how to best support younger children to develop on their speaking skills n enhance communication with parents to help them further support their child's development at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410320 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10351847 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 30 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Henderson, Cheryl Ellen

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reference number

Telephone number 07903 468 932 Date of previous inspection 24 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Badgers Playgroup registered in 2010 and is situated in Whetstone, Leicestershire. The playgroup employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 3.15pm on a Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday and 9am to 12pm on a Wednesday. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and discussed the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children and the impact of these on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the playgroup. n Parents shared their views of the playgroup with the inspector. n The inspector looked at documentation relating to the suitability of those working with children, such as first aid and Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

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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

26 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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