Thornton Hough Playgroup

Inspection of Thornton Hough Playgroup The Village Hall, Manor Road, Thornton Hough, Wirral, Merseyside CH63 1JB

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are keen and eager to enter this home-from-home playgroup. They are greeted by friendly staff who know them well. Children put away their belongings and quickly settle into play. They have firm friendships with their peers and strong bonds with staff. This promotes children's emotional well-being and helps them to feel safe. The playgroup routines are well embedded, and children know what to expect. They follow staff's instructions, share the toys and take turns with their friends. Children have lovely social skills and demonstrate kind and friendly behaviour.

p.2

The provision is good

Overall, staff provide children with an effective curriculum. They implement mathematical development particularly well. Older children concentrate intently as they use pipettes to transfer water to and from vessels. They predict how many pipettes they will need to fill various containers, using mathematical language such as 'more' and 'less'. Children learn to match numbers to amounts and practise making repeated patterns using cubes. Staff support children to count with one-for- one correspondence and work out 'one more' and 'one less'. Children make good progress in their learning and are developing some of the skills needed for school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders use children's assessments and current interests to plan a broad and balanced curriculum. They have a good understanding of what children need to learn next and implement this through adult-led activities. However, leaders do not consider how to implement the curriculum for those children who prefer to free play. This means, at times, that some children's learning is not consistently extended. n Staff promote children's communication and language skills well. They spend a lot of time talking to children and introduce a range of new vocabulary, such as slope and slippery. Staff explain the meaning of new words and encourage children to use them in their play. Children hold lengthy back-and-forth conversations with their friends about a range of topics. They are confident, articulate communicators. n Overall, children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and enjoy taking part in group activities. However, staff do not consider how they need to further

p.2

need to do better?

adapt their teaching to support children's different stages of development. At times, group activities are pitched too high for some children. This does not help them to stay engaged and get the best from the learning experience. n Children are developing good levels of independence. Staff support children to access a 'café style' snack time. Children butter their own crackers and pour their own drinks. They use the bathroom independently, washing and drying their hands. Children are very independent in their play and make lots of

p.2

need to do better?

18 March 2025 choices. This helps them to feel confident in their own abilities and develop new skills. n The procedures for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well embedded. Staff recognise when children need additional support and implement it swiftly. Timely referrals are made to outside agencies, and staff work in partnership with other professionals to support children. They use additional funding, such as the early years pupil premium, to narrow the gaps in children's development. Children with SEND are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. n Children enjoy the outdoor area. They practise balancing and climbing using the balancing beam. Staff encourage children to choose different animals and move in ways that replicate them. For example, children use their arm strength to pull themselves across the beam 'like a snake'. This helps children to build their

p.2

need to do better?

physical strength and move their bodies in different ways. n Literacy development is well embedded. Children enjoy reading stories, and they talk about what is happening. Staff encourage children to point out rhyming words and recall what they remember about familiar stories. Older children learn to write their name accurately. Staff support them to start in the right place to ensure they form the letters correctly. Children are developing some of the key skills needed for their move to school. n The long-standing staff team are happy and settled in their roles. They access some training and have regular supervision meetings. However, staff do not have accurate feedback on their practice and targets to help them improve their skills and knowledge. Consequently, there are some weaknesses in the quality of education.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to implement the curriculum more precisely during free play, to help extend the learning of those children who do not access the adult-led activities n adapt group activities more specifically to consider the different ages and abilities of children n provide staff with more accurate feedback on their performance to enhance their skills and strengthen the quality of education.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 306507 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10375877 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Thornton Hough Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0151 353 8930 Date of previous inspection 8 May 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Thornton Hough Playgroup registered in 1993 and is situated in Thornton Hough, Wirral. It employs five members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, during term time only. It offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at playgroup. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

18 March 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6