Westfield Playgroup

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and secure at this playgroup. The staff team have developed a warm and welcoming relationship with the children, which helps to build children's self esteem. Children show signs of being confident and excited as they talk about what they are going to play.

Behaviour is positive and managed sensitively by teaching children empathy and ways to identify different feelings and emotions. Children considerately wait their turn for snack, and they treat living things, such as insects, with total care when exploring.

Children benefit from a range of first-hand experiences during their time at the playgroup. For example, they have recently enjoyed visits from local fire fighters and police, and they have seen baby lambs from the local farm. Children gain a good understanding about the world around them.

Children thoroughly enjoy time outdoors, exploring the natural environment. Staff provide an array of exciting activities, which they use to generally extend children's learning as they play. For example, staff encourage children to hunt for real snails hiding in the habitat they have created. Children follow the trail made by snails to find them and use a magnifying glass to take a closer look. Staff encourage the older children to use books about bugs to find out more about the snails they have found.

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

• The manager and staff work together to design a broad curriculum. Children who might need additional support are identified quickly, and plans are put in place to help them to achieve. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive a consistent approach to their learning needs. However, at times, children lose interest and become distracted during adult-led group activities. Staff do not organise group activities to their full potential to ensure that all children are able to engage in the learning opportunity.
• Staff encourage children's mathematical development effectively. Children are encouraged to regularly use mathematical language in their play. They confidently count and identify numbers in sequence. Staff help children to identify and understand the concepts of size and quantity.
• Children have lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills. They enjoy practising their balance and coordination on the ride-on bicycles. Children learn to balance carefully on climbing equipment. They are very well supervised and supported to manage risks safely.
• Staff place a focus on developing children's communication and language skills. For instance, they narrate the children's play and emphasise key words in their interactions to help enhance children's understanding. However, staff do not consistently adapt their interactions effectively when talking to younger children. This impacts on younger children's ability to be fully involved in some learning opportunities.
• Staff support children to develop an awareness of healthy lifestyles. During lunch and snack times, staff talk to children about the benefits of healthy food choices and regular exercise. Children discuss their awareness of the benefits of calcium in their diet.
• Children benefit from many opportunities to develop their independence and social skills in readiness for school. They show a can-do attitude. For example, during sociable snack times, children make choices, pour their own drinks and remove their own names from the board to show they have participated in the snack time. Children learn strategies to independently put on their coats and understand how to thoroughly wash their hands as part of their everyday hygiene routines.
• Parents speak exceptionally highly of the staff team. They report that staff go 'above and beyond'. Parents comment that staff consistently share ideas to support further development and learning. Parents are proud of the playgroup and feel their children are well cared for and settled. Partnerships with parents are strong.
• Regular self-evaluation and effective team working contribute to a well-organised provision. There are good opportunities for the professional development of staff. For example, staff access a range of training topics and support from the manager and have recently enhanced children's and parents' awareness of promoting healthy lifestyles.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance the organisation of group activities more effectively, to ensure that all children remain fully engaged in their learning
• strengthen communication with younger children to support their learning and vocabulary further.