Top marks all round for Angmering playgroup

Education watchdog Ofsted awarded the William Older Playgroup top marks in every single category.

Inspector Theresa Colburn, in her report following her visit at the end of last year, said: “Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding.”

The playgroup, in the grounds of St Margaret’s CE Primary School, in Arundel Road, has 61 children aged from two to five on roll and a staff of 12.

Manager Sue Droy said that she felt the grading was thoroughly deserved and that she was lucky to have an experienced team, willing to undertake a variety of training and really go that extra mile for families needing support.

She added: “We designed our new building four years ago to be as inclusive as possible and carry this through to our outdoor areas. This enables us to support several children with disabilities and our ongoing aim is to offer the same opportunities for any child who registers with us.”

The glowing Ofsted report says children’s welfare “is promoted exceptionally well” and is “underpinned by policies, procedures and assessment systems that are rigorously implemented, and reflect the uniqueness of all the children being cared for”.

Children progress “extremely well” and the focus on self-evaluation and developing staff results in the playgroup’s capacity to maintain continuous improvement being “outstanding”.

The playgroup has an “extremely safe, welcoming and stimulating environment” and the manager and staff “demonstrate a professional approach”, with “an outstanding desire to embed ambition and to drive the playgroup forward”.

Mrs Colburn says: “Staff make sure every child and parent is made to feel very welcome. Staff offer one-to-one support for children with special education needs and/or disabilities.”

Many parents, she notes, comment on how “fantastic” the playgroup is in meeting their children’s needs.

“Parents are kept very well informed about children’s experiences throughout the day, and their progress as they continue to develop and learn.

“The child-centred playgroup offers children a calm, relaxed environment in which to learn and develop.

“Staff know children extremely well and welcome them into the playgroup where they settle very quickly.

“Staff have an excellent knowledge of children’s individual needs and offer high levels of care to promote children’s welfare. Staff value children’s contributions and creations. Children’s art work is displayed throughout; thereby further developing children’s self-esteem.”

She praises the staff’s “outstanding knowledge”, which enables them to adapt learning opportunities both inside and outside. “The superbly well-resourced outdoor play areas have been designed and utilised as an extension of the indoor play area, and considered as other areas for children to learn and develop.

“Children communicate with exceptional confidence, talking with a great deal of enthusiasm about their activities. Children show curiosity and readily approach adults to join in with activities.”

Under the question, “What steps need to be taken to improve provision?” the inspector says the playgroup should “further continue to implement areas of development the playgroup has identified on the self-evaluation”.