Whitworth Playgroup

Inspection of Whitworth Playgroup Hallfold United Reform Church, Hall Street, Whitworth, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 8TL

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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

The dedicated staff team welcome children and families into the playgroup. Children swiftly choose areas of interest to play and remain busy with activities they enjoy. Staff help children settle quickly and tend to their physical and emotional needs. Children have secure relationships with staff and are caring towards their peers. They are happy and content in this playgroup. Staff help children solve problems and spark their thinking skills. For example, children work out that their skittles will stand up on a hard surface rather than on grass when they are bowling. Additionally, children show a 'can-do' attitude towards learning as they persevere with tasks, such as throwing the basketball in the net. Children are confident within the playgroup, know the routine and are well behaved. They independently make their own snack and chop vegetables when making their own soup.

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The provision is good

Staff work closely with parents to find out what children enjoy and can do. This continued information sharing helps parents stay up to date with their children's progress. Additionally, staff discuss any gaps in learning and help parents take the next steps in order to help children catch up and keep up in their development. Children's needs are met and supported, especially those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Stay-and-play sessions are a valuable way of helping parents see what and how their children learn and help them replicate this at home.

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need to do better?

n Although children engage in the range of exciting activities on offer to them, staff do not always plan well enough to help extend their learning even further. For example, if the environment becomes loud, staff do not use quieter spaces in order to help children remain focused. Additionally, staff do not consistently recognise areas of learning that could be enhanced during play that would broaden children's knowledge. This said, overall, the quality of teaching is good and children make progress from the start. n Children with SEND are extremely well supported in this playgroup. Gaps in learning are quickly identified and targeted plans are put in place to help them make progress. Staff contribute to multi-agency meetings and use strategies with these children to help manage learning and behaviour. Children with SEND are well integrated into the setting and are valued members of their peer group.

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need to do better?

n Leaders provide staff with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge. Staff attend a range of suitable and relevant training. Leaders consider staff's thoughts and ideas to develop the playgroup and benefit children. Staff feel valued and work well as a team. Staff retention is excellent, which has a positive impact on children's care and learning.

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need to do better?

13 February 2025 n Children show respect and are kind to other people. They learn about different cultural celebrations and are exposed to images and books that depict the people around them. However, they are not consistently supported to deepen their understanding and awareness of the wide range of differences people have within modern Britain. n Children enjoy playing in the outdoor area where they explore nature and enhance their physical skills. They learn how to be safe as they put helmets on before riding a bike. Additionally, they practise throwing and catching to help develop their coordination and turn-taking skills. Children leap over hurdles and draw large shapes and letters on the wall using water and brushes. A range of physical skills are developed in the garden. n Communication and language is well supported in the playgroup. Staff use clear words with children and hold conversations to deepen their understanding of

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need to do better?

speech. Additionally, staff use image boards around the playgroup to help spark discussions from children. All children are assessed in their speaking skills in order to help plan opportunities to extend language further. n Children develop a love for reading and stories. They use puppets during play and are able to borrow books from the playgroup's library. Children's literacy is encouraged and embedded during activities. For example, children write recipe cards listing the ingredients they intend to use when cooking. This supports children to make marks and develop an understanding of sequencing instructions.

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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 improve planning to help all children focus and receive the broad curriculum that is intended for them n deepen children's understanding of people's differences and help them recognise and reflect on the diversity of modern Britain.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 309530 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10368413 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 20 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Whitworth Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01706 860 492 Date of previous inspection 20 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Whitworth Playgroup registered in 1969. It is a registered charity and is managed by a committee. The playgroup employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 4 and three hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The playgroup and out-of-school club opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. The playgroup opens from 9.30am until 12.30pm, and the out-of-school club is open from 3.30pm until 6pm. It offers the government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Parents provided the inspector with written and verbal feedback at the inspection, and the inspector observed parents in a stay-and-play session. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the playgroup. n Staff spoke to the inspector at suitable times during the inspection.

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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

13 February 2025 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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