Rawthorpe (St James) Playgroup

Inspection of Rawthorpe (St James) Playgroup Rawthorpe & Dalton Children's Centre, 23-25 Ridgeway, Huddersfield HD5 9QJ

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in the care of the inspiring staff team. Staff work extremely hard to plan a curriculum that has clear purpose and that is personalised to children's individual learning needs. Children show deep levels of engagement in the exciting activities that staff create, such as the role play beach area. They excitedly join in outdoor games and dance to promote their gross motor skills. Children giggle and laugh as they chase each other with water balloons and delight in wetting their friends in a game to mark the end of term. Staff encourage children to share and take turns and praise children for their achievements. This helps enormously to help build children's self-esteem and reinforce positive behaviour.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff pay excellent attention to supporting children's healthy development. For example, children enjoy nutritious snacks. They have wonderful opportunities to learn about the nutritional benefits of food and where it comes from. On the day of the inspection, children picked carrots they had planted. They use words such as 'germinate' and 'harvest'. They discuss how roots form under the soil and, with water and sunlight, the carrots grow. Children excitedly tell visitors about the pumpkins and potatoes they have grown.

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need to do better?

n The key-person system is extremely effective, and staff know all children exceptionally well. They make accurate and precise observations and assessments of children's progress, and they plan appropriate next steps to move children's learning forward. Staff use their knowledge of their key children, as well as their observations and assessments, to identify and plan swiftly for children who may need additional support. n Staff ensure that they expose children to different experiences and books to broaden their understanding of the diverse world that they live in. Staff help children to learn about their local community and gain a sense of belonging. For example, children attend a story session in the adjoining library. Older children say they like going to the library and that they also sing songs there. This supports children's language and their learning in other areas. n Staff have high expectations for behaviour and are excellent role models.

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need to do better?

Children confidently show their understanding of why behaviour rules are in place and recognise the impact their behaviour has on others. For example, children know how to ask for things politely, wait when adults are talking with other children and show care and respect for each other when playing. n Interactions between staff and children are superb. Staff expertly use practical activities to build on children's language skills and mathematical thinking. They explain that some buckets are 'heavy' and some are 'light'. Children experiment with different quantities of wet and dry sand as they build sandcastles.

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need to do better?

18 July 2025 n Children's transitions on to school are exceptionally well supported. Staff collaborate closely with families and receiving schools to ensure smooth handovers. Key information about the children's learning and development is shared with teachers to ensure continuity of learning. These thoughtful transitions help children feel confident as they move to the next stage of their education. n Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents report that the things that set this setting apart from others are the kindness, gentleness and knowledge of the amazing staff. They describe how special it is that the staff share their passion for nature. Parents love how the staff see their children as individuals. They say children come home enthused and eager to share their learning. Parents value the additional support that staff provide with specific child-related issues, such as toilet training, sleeping and tooth brushing.

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need to do better?

n The management and staff team actively reflect on the pre-school's provision. They strive for continuous improvement and development. There are outstanding support systems in place for staff. Their well-being is a high priority. Staff engage in a wealth of training to broaden their knowledge and professional development. This includes undertaking their own research and embarking on courses to support those children who may attend in the future with special educational needs/and or disabilities. The management team gathers the views of parents and staff to drive improvement forward.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 2561557 Local authority Kirklees Inspection number 10399180 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 18 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Rawthorpe (St James) Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07990945469 Date of previous inspection 22 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Rawthorpe (St James) Playgroup registered in 2019 and is located in Huddersfield. The playgroup employs three members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 11.30am. The playgroup provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old 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 The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at a sample of documents and records. This included evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision and a range of other documentation required for the safe and effective management of the provision. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

18 July 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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