Rainbow Playgroup

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children enter the safe and inviting playgroup with confidence and enthusiasm. Staff warmly welcome them, which helps them to feel secure, and children quickly find their favourite activity.

Staff help children to problem-solve as they build a 'fountain'. Children are supported to use their mathematical knowledge to make estimations and compare lengths of guttering, so that the water travels down the fountain at speed. Staff assist children to judge the distance of where to place the bucket so that the water is collected.

Staff closely supervise and assist children as they prepare a healthy snack. They encourage childr...en, saying, 'can you press really hard with your muscles?' and 'I think if you turn it that way it might be a bit easier.' This helps to build children's confidence and learn new skills.

Children are encouraged to work harmoniously with their friends and are polite to the staff as they ask 'please can you get me some scissors'. Staff help children to develop a love of stories. Children sit mesmerised as staff tell stories with gusto.

They help children to build their vocabulary as they recall characters in the story and talk about the storyline.

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

The manager and her staff have a clear intent for the curriculum provided. With the help of enthusiastic and warm staff, children spend prolonged periods of time at each activity as they are inviting and relevant to the children's interests.

This helps them to build new skills and knowledge that prepare them for the next stage in their education.Staff support children to build their communication skills. They model language, introducing new words as the children play.

However, staff do not always give children enough time to process their answers to questions before answering them and asking more.Children generally understand the daily routine of the playgroup. They enter the building excitedly when they learn that it is story time, and gather keenly on the carpet.

However, some children do not yet understand the routines, and staff do not provide enough support for these children during transitions.Parents speak highly of the care and education the manager and her staff provide. They comment that the 'incredible' staff team plays a fundamental role in their child's development.

Parents note that communication with staff about their child's progression is exemplary, and they are given help and advice to support their children's learning at home.Staff support and build children's independence at playgroup. Children pour their drinks and select their own snack.

Staff give children choices and allow independence during play. They carefully consider the environment, enabling children to make independent choices as they access toys and activities.Staff support children's good health.

They remind children to wear their hats in the sun and talk about healthy foods as they sit and eat with them during mealtimes. Staff provide children with healthy snacks and support parents to consider providing healthy items in children's lunch boxes.Staff say that they feel very supported by the manager and are happy in their role.

The manager ensures that a programme of continuous professional development is in place. Staff comment that they find the regular meetings and training courses beneficial as they build their knowledge and give them confidence in their role.Children's behaviour is good.

Staff gently remind children about using their manners and sharing the toys. Children understand these reminders and consider these as they play, saying 'we can share the chairs' as they build and construct small worlds with bricks.The manager arranges for visitors to come to the playgroup to help provide children with additional experiences.

For example, a recent visit from a fire engine gave children the opportunity to see inside the engine and use the hose. This helps children to learn about how people help us within the community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager ensures that robust safeguarding procedures are in place. Regular safeguarding training and discussions at meetings ensure that staff understand their responsibilities for safeguarding children in their care. The manager ensures that the safe recruitment of staff is vigorous, and a detailed induction is given so that new staff understand the importance of keeping children safe.

Risk assessments are in place to minimise hazards, and staff create an environment that is safe and secure. Staff recognise the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk from abuse, and know how to record and report any concerns swiftly and efficiently.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: give children time to process their thoughts before staff answer and ask further questions help staff to support children's understanding during transitions from one activity to another.

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