Bengeo Playgroup

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children thrive at this exceptionally warm, welcoming and nurturing playgroup. They are greeted each day by the wonderfully dedicated, friendly and caring staff. Children are eager to see them and excitedly enter the playroom. They demonstrate that they feel very happy, safe and emotionally secure. Staff embed routines and activities that encourage children's independence and self-care skills. Although the children are all quite young and new to the playgroup, they know the daily routines extremely well. They happily hang up their coats and bags, confidently place their photo on the self-registration board, and apply hand gel before joining their friends at their chosen activity.

Children are curious, motivated and show a very positive attitude to learning. For example, they become fascinated by tractors after watching the tractor cutting the grass in the school field. Staff plan interesting activities linked to this, such as looking at books and listening to stories about tractors. Children have enormous fun painting tractors, using brushes and sponges and using the wheels to print tyre marks. Children's behaviour is exemplary, and they learn to cooperate and work together from an early age. For example, they help each other to make a 'car-run' using guttering. Their perseverance is rewarded as they proudly watch their cars go down the slope. Children are developing superb resilience and strong thinking skills. They have a happy and highly enjoyable early education experience. Staff provide children with an excellent foundation on which to build their future learning.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• The playgroup is a hive of activity, with every child totally engrossed in their learning. Staff plan exciting and stimulating activities, which are closely linked to children's individual needs and interests. Teaching across the staff team is consistently of a high quality. Children receive excellent support, enabling them to make outstanding progress in their learning and development.
• Inclusion is at the heart of the playgroup and is supported by the strong partnerships with other professionals. Staff diligently monitor children's progress to identify developmental gaps in their learning. They plan superb early intervention programmes, such supporting children's early language. The provider employs a speech and language therapist, who works with staff to ensure that children are fully included in all aspects of the playgroup and reach their full potential.
• The high staff-to-child ratio means that staff are able to meet children's individual needs exceptionally well. Children form exceedingly warm and loving relationships with their key person. Siblings are allocated the same key person, which enables staff and families to get to know each other very well.
• Arrangements are extremely well organised for supporting children as they move from playgroup to nursery. School staff often visit the playgroup to meet the children and read stories to them. This helps to promote continuity of care and learning exceptionally well.
• Children's emotional well-being is supported superbly. For example, they are helped to regulate their behaviour through yoga and mindfulness activities. Staff support children very well to understand their emotions. Children frequently use the 'feelings cushions' and 'feelings board' to help them to understand and manage their emotions.
• Children eagerly select books and enthusiastically listen to, and join in with, their favourite stories. Staff reinforce stories through role play and superb story props. There are excellent opportunities for children to practise their early writing. All children's 'mark making' is acknowledged and celebrated by staff. For example, when playing in the role-play shop, a young child 'writes' a shopping list. He asks the staff what they would like and proudly adds the items to his list.
• Children's health and welfare are given the utmost priority. Staff give parents helpful suggestions for healthy lunches. Children benefit greatly from the daily music and movement sessions in the school hall. They begin to recognise the positive impact that exercise has on their bodies. Children are eager to experience the wealth of physical challenges on the school 'trim trail'.
• Parents are very eager to share highly positive feedback about the playgroup. They describe the staff as 'brilliant' and say that their children have made 'fantastic progress' since they started. Staff give parents information about the activities that are planned for the coming week, including the songs and stories their children will enjoy. This inspires parents to support their children's learning at home.
• Staff say they feel valued and highly supported in their role. They appreciate the providers' concern for their well-being and work satisfaction. Staff say that they enjoy coming to work. Their engagement, enthusiasm and commitment to children's play and learning are inspirational.
• Excellent self-evaluation means that the passionate and dedicated provider and manager are continually extending the service they provide for families and children. Together, they reflect and evaluate on the quality of the provision to ensure they maintain excellent outcomes for children.