Scallywags

Inspection of Scallywags Florence Street Methodist Church, Florence Street, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire WS12 4BA

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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 and leaders provide a warm and nurturing environment where children are happy, settled and develop strong, trusting bonds with their key person and staff. Staff are attentive to the individual needs of the children, helping them feel safe and secure. Children quickly become engaged in their play and make independent choices about what they would like to play with, showing curiosity and enthusiasm. Staff are skilled at weaving additional learning into children's play. They naturally introduce counting, mathematical concepts and problem-solving.

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The provision is good

Staff encourage children's communication and language skills through meaningful conversations, open-ended questions and storytelling. They work with the older children to introduce letter sounds and help children recognise objects that start with associated letters. Staff praise children for their efforts, helping to boost their self-esteem and love for learning. Younger children enjoy singing familiar nursery rhymes and join in with the actions. Staff are attentive and join in with their play, providing a narrative and introducing new words. Younger children delight in sensory play. They eagerly scoop and pour porridge oats, feeling the texture between their fingers and strengthening their fine motor skills.

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The provision is good

Staff expectations for behaviour are fully embedded, and children confidently recall the rules. Children play well together, demonstrating kindness and respect for their friends. They learn about diversity and what makes them unique. Children enjoy celebrating different cultures and learning about festivals through activities, stories and conversations. This helps children to explore the world beyond their immediate environment, develop self-awareness and appreciate differences.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff are passionate about their role and are dedicated to providing the very best for all children. They provide a broad and balanced curriculum, building on children's interests, skills and individual needs. Additional funding is used effectively to enhance children's learning experiences. As a result, all children make good progress. n Leaders have a strong commitment to continuous improvement. They reflect on the quality of teaching and the experiences children receive to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Leaders welcome feedback from parents and actively use it to make any changes, further strengthening links between home and the setting. n Leaders and staff have strong and positive relationships with parents. They ensure that parents feel involved and well-informed about their child's progress and the care they receive. Parents say that their children have made 'fantastic

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need to do better?

progress', particularly in their speech and language. They highly value the

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need to do better?

13 March 2025 setting and the dedication of leaders and staff. n Older children take part in a fun and interactive science experiment. Staff support children to take turns as they pour water into cups, add food colouring and absorbent paper. Staff encourage children to make predictions about what they think might happen, which helps to support children's critical thinking skills. Children observe closely as the coloured water travels up the paper. They excitedly compare the colours, saying, 'It looks like a volcano', showing imaginative thinking. However, not all children could see the activity and waited too long for their turn. As a result, some children lose interest in their learning and become distracted. n Staff provide children with daily opportunities to develop their physical skills both indoors and outdoors. Children confidently walk across beams with balance and coordination, play ball games and climb on larger apparatus. Staff provide

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need to do better?

encouragement and challenge, helping children to test their abilities in a safe and reassuring environment. n Staff encourage children to develop their independence through daily routines, such as handwashing and pouring their own drinks at mealtimes. On the whole, transitions between activities and daily routines run smoothly. However, the lunchtime routine is not as well thought out, which has an impact on the attention that staff can provide children. As a result, some children are unsure of what is expected of them. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from a dedicated sensory room, providing a calm and engaging environment. Leaders and staff are highly committed in supporting children with SEND. They work alongside other professionals and implement carefully targeted plans, tailored to each child's individual needs. Children with SEND make good progress alongside

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need to do better?

their peers in a supportive and inclusive environment.

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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 enhance the organisation of group activities to ensure that all children remain fully engaged and focused in their learning, enabling them to participate effectively n review the lunchtime transitions to ensure that routines are well structured and consistently meet the needs of all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501492 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10376065 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Scallywags Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01543 877712 Date of previous inspection 15 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Scallywags registered in 2016 and is situated in Hednesford, Cannock. The setting employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5 and four hold a level 3 qualification. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.30pm from Monday to Thursday and from 8.45am until 11.45am on Friday. The setting receives government funding to provide early education for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager, through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through verbal feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector talked to the manager, staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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 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.

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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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