Once Upon a Time Play Group
Inspection report for early years provision
Unique reference number
Inspect ion date
Inspector
125015
25/05/2011
Angela Ramsey
Setting address
Whitehorse Manor Centre, Whitehorse Road, Croydon,
Surrey, CR0 2LG
Telephone number
Email
Type of setting
020 689 9566
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
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Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
Introduction
This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the
Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years
provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children
from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group).
The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory
framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early
Years Foundation Stage.
The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the
setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the
report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service
(The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).
The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group
which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare
Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a
comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is
included in Annex B.
Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We
publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we
receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of
registration.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
Description of the setting
Once Upon a Time Play Group has been registered since 1995. It operates from
two halls in a community centre in a mainly residential area, in the London
borough of Croydon. There is access to a fenced outdoor area, which is fitted with
safety surface.
A maximum of 50 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The
playgroup is open each weekday from 9:30am to 12:30pm term time only. There
are currently 50 children aged from two years to five years on roll; of these, 46
children receive funding for nursery education. The playgroup supports children
with learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities and children who speak English
as an addition language.
There are five members of staff employed, all of whom hold a recognised childcare
qualification. The preschool receives support from the Early Years Partnership. The
playgroup is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and
compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.
The overall effectiveness of the early years provision
Overall the quality of the provision is good.
Children are happy, settled and enthusiastically participate in the wide array of
interesting and enjoyable activities provided by staff. These activities support
children's progress and development. The staff team regard continued
improvement as valuable. Together they have implemented an effective method of
self-evaluation, which identifies ways to improve outcomes for children.
Partnerships with parents are superb. Parents are encouraged to be involved in
their child's learning. Special events such as coffee mornings and international
days are arranged which enable parents socialise and get to know each other.
Nevertheless snack and group sessions are not well organised.
What steps need to be taken to improve provision
further?
To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:
improve the organisation of snack time, ensuring children remain seated
whilst eating
improve the organisation of group time sessions.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
The effectiveness of leadership and management of
the early years provision
The nursery has clear strategies and procedures in place to ensure the
safeguarding and welfare of children. The manager is the designated person
responsible. Children are being successfully safeguarded through staff's knowledge
of appropriate protection legislation. Recruitment procedures ensure that all staff
are suitable to work in the play group. Background checks are undertaken and any
unvetted persons are never left alone with children. Children are protected from
harm through effective risk assessments identifying potential dangers on the
premises and outings, including clear recording of such risk assessments. All
visitors are asked to sign in and out of the premises. The correct staffing ratios are
maintained to ensure that children's safety and welfare is paramount at all times.
Staff have completed paediatric first aid training to enable them to care
appropriately for children in the event of accidents or illnesses.
Once Upon a Time Play Group provides an inclusive service and staff have
established links with external agencies to ensure that each child with learning
difficulties or disabilities receives the individual support they need. Superb
partnerships with parents have been formed. Daily discussions informative
newsletters, displays and notices ensure that parents know the details of their
child's time at the playgroup and of any up and coming events. Parents speak
positively of the approachable, helpful and friendly staff team. Parents are
encouraged to be involved in their children's learning and development as the
details of their child's learning records are shared regularly. Children's records are
shared with other provisions. For example when children start school the class
teacher is able to see children's developmental records.
Staff promote children's developing awareness and understanding of people's
differences by providing opportunities for them to explore and celebrate their own
and other cultures and beliefs. For example celebrations such as Ramadan,
Chinese New Year, Christmas and Easter are organised.
The quality and standards of the early years provision
and outcomes for children
Children are confident, happy and thoroughly enjoy their time at Once upon a
Time Play Group. They are making good progress towards their early learning
goals. Observations and assessments are well written and identify children's next
steps in their learning.
Children engage in a varied range of indoor and outdoor activities to help their
understanding of the importance of keeping healthy and the activities contributing
to good health. A jug of drinking water is available for children to help themselves
to throughout the session. At snack time and a selection of fresh fruit is available,
however, children were seen walking around the playgroup eating.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
Children behave well, are kind towards each other, take turns and share resources.
Throughout their time in the play group, worthwhile mathematical activities enable
them to explore numbers and shapes through the completion of puzzles. Children
learn about numbers when they sing songs such as 5 green bottles. Children's
communication skills are enhanced as staff talk to the children as they participate
in activities. For example, whilst engaging in an activity children explain how water
becomes solid when put in a freezer. Children also understand that an ice cube will
melt and become liquid once again. Children are developing a healthy interest in
books and readily look at books in the book area. Children also enjoy being read
to, however, group time at end of the session is far too large. Children's physical
skills are enhanced as they play in the hall and outdoor play area. Children take
turns as they ride wheeled toys, play with balls and play team games.
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
Annex A: record of inspection judgements
The key inspection judgements and what they mean
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
1
2
3
4
is
is
is
is
Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality
Good: this aspect of the provision is strong
Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound
Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough
The overall effectiveness of the early years provision
How well does the setting meet the needs of the
children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?
The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous
improvement
2
2
The effectiveness of leadership and management of the early
years provision
The effectiveness of leadership and management of the
Early Years Foundation Stage
The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding
ambition and driving improvement
The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources
The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and
diversity
The effectiveness of safeguarding
The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the
steps taken to promote improvement
The effectiveness of partnerships
The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and
carers
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation
Stage
The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage
2
Outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage
Outcomes for children in the Early Years Foundation
Stage
The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning
The extent to which children feel safe
The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles
The extent to which children make a positive contribution
The extent to which children develop skills for the future
2
2
2
2
2
2
Any complaints about the inspection or report should be made following the
procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website:
www.ofsted.gov.uk
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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Inspection Report: Once Upon a Time Play Group, 25/05/2011
Annex B: the Childcare Register
The provider confirms that the requirements of the
compulsory part of the Childcare Register are:
Met
The provider confirms that the requirements of the
voluntary part of the Childcare Register are:
Met
This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006
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