Sandon Road Baptist Church Playgroup

Inspection of Sandon Road Baptist Church Playgroup Baptist Church, Sandon Road, Stafford ST16 3HW

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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

When parents and children arrive, they are warmly welcomed by the staff, who engage the children in conversation. The children enter happily and are eager to start their day. Children settle quickly in the supportive environment. They form strong bonds with staff, who offer warm, sensitive and caring interactions that ensure children feel safe and secure. Staff know the children and families very well.

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The provision is good

Leaders are determined to give children the best start. They have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. They provide a sequenced curriculum, which meets the needs of all children and prepares children for their next step in their learning. Staff weave children's interests into activities that cover all areas of learning. Children behave well. Staff help children to solve minor disagreements and help them to understand acceptable behaviour from an early age. Children play well together, they share and take turns. For instance, children push each other on the swings. They take turns and help their friend to go higher, they laugh and giggle together as they swap over, which helps children to build positive relationships.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan an ambitious curriculum based on children's interests. Through initial visits and observations, staff clearly understand what children know and what they need to learn next. They use assessment and planning to identify and swiftly address any gaps in children's learning. This ensures that any additional support is identified quickly. Leaders make referrals and work in partnership with other professionals. This supports all children to receive the support they need to make good progress. Any additional funding the nursery receives is used meticulously to meet children's individual needs. n Staff plan and teach children about the world around them. They explore and teach a range of cultural events, as well as talking to children about the similarities and differences between them. Children learn to be respectful and gain an understanding about how family structures and home life can differ.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents and carers are well established. Parents say that their children are happy and settled and benefit from attending the playgroup. They describe staff as nurturing and supportive. Communication is good and parents receive regular updates on their children's progress and next steps in learning, which includes how to continue their child's learning at home. n Staff read books with children regularly in small groups. Children snuggle in to staff as they share stories and explore different books. For instance, children listen attentively to a familiar story then role play the story, taking turns to hide and find animals in the garden. Staff support children to develop a love of books

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need to do better?

21 May 2025 and reading. n Overall, teaching is good. Staff offer plenty of opportunities for children to develop new skills and time to practise them. For instance, children freely access activities and resources to support and develop their independence. However, staff do not consistently encourage the children to problem-solve for themselves to extend their learning. n Staff engage with children as they play. They provide a commentary, give demonstrations and ask questions. This supports all children to have a positive attitude towards their learning. n Lunchtime is a social occasion. While eating, children talk about the fruit and vegetables they are eating and how these help to keep them healthy. Staff actively promote healthy eating and encourage the children to make good food choices. n Children have lots of opportunities to be physically active, such as waving ribbons, riding bikes and pulling themselves up rope swings to strengthen their

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need to do better?

shoulder muscles. Children have good self-care skills. They wash their hands and sit at the table. Children follow good hygiene routines and learn about the importance of oral health. n Leaders continue to develop the setting. They review the provision and gather feedback from parents, staff and children to help make improvements. Staff at the setting feel well supported in their roles. Regular staff meetings allow for the sharing of information and collaborative thinking. Individual supervision sessions consider staff's well-being as well as their professional development. Staff are encouraged to engage in further training opportunities. Staff say they value being part of a close, supportive team.

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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 extend the curriculum to inspire children's problem-solving to further enhance the good-quality learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 218218 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10393007 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 45 Number of children on roll 35

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Name of registered person

Sandon Road Baptist Church Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01785747182 or 07773194597 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Sandon Road Baptist Church Playgroup opened in 1976. The setting is committee- led and operates from the church hall of Sandon Road Baptist Church in Stafford. The playgroup is open five days a week during term times. Sessions are from 8am to 4pm. There are eight members of staff who work with the children. Of these, one holds early years qualified teacher status, and seven are qualified to level 3. The setting offers government funded places for eligible children.

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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 Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. 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.

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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

21 May 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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