Egton Playgroup

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are confident and secure at this small, nurturing and friendly playgroup. They leave their parents with ease and rush in to greet their friends in the morning. Managers and staff focus on building positive relationships with children and their families. Staff are responsive to children when they need reassurance. They encourage children to join activities as they arrive or play alongside them until they feel settled.

Staff implement a sequenced and ambitious curriculum that is embedded well throughout the playgroup. They plan a range of fun and engaging activities with children's interests and next steps in mind, to support their learning. Children demonstrate high levels of concentration and engagement. For example, children excitedly take part in a bug hunt in the outdoor area. They use binoculars to focus on and study worms and search for snails. Staff extend learning and challenge children to count how many insects they have found to support their mathematical development.

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive exceptionally strong support. Staff work in close partnership with parents and professionals, including speech and language therapists, to support children with SEND. They use assessments well to plan activities and implement strategies to help children make the progress they are capable of.

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

• Staff know the children well and show a good understanding of how children learn. They use different approaches during activities to ensure children are challenged at each age and stage. For instance, younger children enjoy sensory and mark-making experiences as they explore paints with their fingers. Staff challenge older children to name the colours and to mix paints together and predict what colours they can make next. All children make good progress in their learning.
• Outside opportunities offer exceptional play and learning for those children who prefer to be outdoors in the natural environment. Children learn about where food comes from and grow their own vegetables and herbs. Visits from local farmers with lambs and beekeepers enrich children's experiences. Staff encourage children to take part in risky play as they climb and use ladders and balance beams. This allows children to be confident in their abilities and learn about the world around them.
• Staff use face-to-face communication and learning journals to keep parents informed about their children's care. Parent's feedback about the playgroup is extremely positive. They say that their children are eager to attend and love the range of activities staff provide. Parents value staff's dedication and passionate support for their children. However, staff do not consistently share information on children's next steps. This means parents are unable to support their children's next steps at home.
• The management team are ambitious and have a clear vision for the playgroup. They place a strong emphasis on supporting the well-being of their staff team. Staff feel valued and appreciated. They receive regular supervision sessions where they can discuss a range of topics. Staff attend regular training and development opportunities. For instance, recent training has supported staff to understand the importance of asking open-ended questions to support children's communication and language development. This ensures that staff can consistently deliver high quality care and education to children.
• Overall, children behave well. They understand the routines of the day and listen well in group activities. Staff offer children praise and encouragement, recognising the efforts that children make. However, there is not always a consistent approach in promoting children's manners and the reinforcement of expectations. For instance, at times, when children do not share, staff do not explain why it is important to do so. This does not fully support children's understanding of behavioural expectations.
• Staff provide consistent opportunities for children to develop their independence and learn about healthy lifestyles. Children are provided with a range of healthy snacks and meals each day. They serve their own food and pour their own water. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and wash their hands regularly throughout the day. Children have daily opportunities to lead their own play and learning. They spend most of their time outside in the fresh air developing strength in their bodies as they balance and climb.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• share next steps in learning more consistently with parents, to help them to build on learning at home
• consistently encourage children to develop good manners and understand the expectations of the nursery.