Ross Preschool Playgroup

Inspection of Ross Preschool Playgroup Ross & District Community Association, Larruperz Centre, Grammar School Close, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7QD

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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

Children arrive at the playgroup happy and leave their parents or carers with ease. Nurturing staff effectively support children's emotional well-being. They greet them with a smile and offer a reassuring cuddle if needed. Children display a strong sense of belonging and are eager to begin their play. Older children know what is expected of them. They hang their personal belongings on their named coat pegs and place their lunchboxes in the appropriate area.

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The provision is good

All children make good progress from their individual starting points. The well retained staff team know children and families well. They implement a sequenced and ambitious curriculum which is tailored to meet the individual needs and interests of all children. Staff encourage children to join in with group activities, such as painting or circle time and support them to make independent choices about their play. Children behave well. They listen attentively to stories read enthusiastically by staff. Children follow staffs' instructions and find their name to add to the registration board. Staff provide children with rich, hands-on learning experiences that deepen their understanding of the world around them. For example, through growing and observing butterflies, pre-school children gain a secure understanding of life cycles. They confidently explain that a caterpillar become a chrysalis before transforming into a butterfly. Staff skilfully introduce and

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The provision is good

embed key vocabulary. When asked to recall the word for this process, children proudly and accurately respond with 'metamorphosis', demonstrating their understanding of new vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The management team demonstrate strong, committed leadership and work collaboratively to ensure the effective day to day running of the playgroup. With clearly defined roles and responsibilities, they provide a well-organised and purposeful environment. Their long-standing partnership reflects a shared vision and drives continuous improvement at the playgroup. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from good levels of support. Knowledgeable staff work in close partnership with parents and external professionals to plan individualised support plans that are responsive to each child's unique needs. Any additional funding the playgroup receives is used purposefully to meet the individual needs of children, ensuring they have the support and resources necessary to thrive. n Staff skilfully promote children's communication and language development. They engage them in thoughtful conversations throughout the day. Staff

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need to do better?

effectively support young children's emerging speech. They encourage them to use associative sounds and single words, such as 'moo' and 'cow' as they play with farm animals. However, staff do not always give children enough time to

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need to do better?

10 April 2025 think and respond to the questions they ask. They sometimes answer the question themselves or swiftly move the play on. This limits opportunities for children to develop deeper thinking and language skills. n Staff position themselves around the indoor and outdoor areas to promote children's safety and learning. They implement consistent daily routines, such as hand washing on arrival, and ensure outdoor play and mealtimes are at regular times each day. These routines help children to feel secure and understand what to expect next. However, young children are not always fully engaged in meaningful learning because transition times, such as returning from outdoor play or waiting for lunch, are not always effectively managed by staff. n Children's health and well-being are effectively supported. They are independent and manage their personal care. Staff are respectful and maintain children's

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need to do better?

privacy and dignity during nappy changes. Children are developing positive habits that contribute to their long-term health. For example, they brush their teeth mid-morning, guided by a timer to reinforce the importance of brushing for two minutes. n Staff build strong partnerships with parents through regular, open communication. They share information at drop-off and collection time, use digital platforms, and hold termly meetings to keep parents well informed and involved in their children's care and learning. This collaborative approach promotes consistency and supports children's ongoing development. n Parents are very appreciative of the care and education their children receive. They speak positively about the nurturing staff team and comment on the good levels of progress their children make. Parents value the welcoming and community ethos of the playgroup. They state that is has a 'warm family feel'

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need to do better?

and staff are supportive of them as well as their children.

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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 strengthen staffs already good quality interactions to provide children with more time to think and respond to help children develop even better thinking and language skills n support staff to manage transitions even more effectively, so young children remain consistently focused and actively engaged in purposeful play to fully promote their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 223586 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10380813 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 52 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Ross Pre-School Playgroup

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reference number

Telephone number 01989763249 Date of previous inspection 25 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Ross Preschool Playgroup registered in 1970. It operates from the Larruperz Centre in Ross-on-Wye.The playgroup employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. One member of staff holds a level six and the manager has early years professional status. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9.30am until 3.30pm. The playgroup offers a breakfast club during term time from 8am until 9.30am. The playgroup offers funded early education for children aged from two-to-four-years-old.

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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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a small group activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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 April 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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