A playgroup where ‘children’s safety is not assured’ has been deemed ‘inadequate’ by inspectors and given a list of improvements to comply with. St Paul’s Peel Playgroup in the Little Hulton area of Salford had 22 children under its care and five staff when was visited by Ofsted on January 11.
Inspector Lois Hulley’s report said: “Children’s safety is not assured in this playgroup. The designated lead for safeguarding fails to respond to concerns about children’s safety.
“They do not report concerns to the relevant agencies. Furthermore they do not keep records in relation to concerns.
"Additionally, not all staff have a good understanding of ‘Prevent’ duty. This means that children are not adequately safeguarded.”
At its prior inspection in 2017, the playground was said to be ‘good’. But Ms Hulley said: “There has been a significant decrease in the quality of the playgroup since the last inspection.
“Children do not benefit from an ambitious and exciting curriculum that supports their individual learning.” She said that staff’s expectations of what children can achieve are often ‘too low’.
“This results in staff providing learning opportunities that are boring and lacking in sufficient challenge,” she wrote.
However, Ms Hulley said that despite the weaknesses, staff have developed ‘positive relationships’ with children and their families.
“Most children settle into playgroup happily and enjoy playing alongside their peers,” she said. “The premises are kept safe and secure. Staff complete risk assessments of the play areas. This helps minimise the risk and injury to children.”
Ms Hulley set out a list of tasks the playgroup management must have carried out by February 8 to ‘meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register.
It must:
- Ensure designated leads for safeguarding and all staff must understand the safeguarding policy and procedures and respond to policy and procedures in a timely and appropriate way
- Ensure the designated leads for safeguarding and all staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues
- Support parents in making healthy choices for their children’s packed lunches
- Implement effective behaviour management strategies so that all children can benefit from the learning opportunities provided
- Ensure that staff’s knowledge of the areas of learning and understanding of how children learn improves rapidly
- Ensure the curriculum intent is clear and all staff understand what they are teaching children and how best to meet their individual needs.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted St Paul's Peel Playgroup for comment.
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