Ofsted report for Rodborough Play Group after inspection

Inspectors from education regulator Ofsted visited Rodborough Playgroup, based at Rodborough Tabernacle, Tabernacle Walk, on Wednesday, October 11. 

Rodborough Playgroup, is a community-run playgroup which has been running at the heart of the community for 60 years, is managed by a committee of volunteer parents. 

The play group, which achieved a good rating in all four categories - quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development plus leadership and management, also achieved an overall good rating. 

This is the same rating it achieved the previous time inspectors visited the setting, in February 18. 

At the time of the inspection, the play group had 28 children on its role, aged between two and four. 

In the recent visit, inspectors had particular praise for the caring and enthusiastic staff

They said: "Children receive a warm welcome from the caring, attentive staff. 

"The children aged two, three and four years develop their language skills well.

"They also children relish outdoor play opportunities - they climb, slide, run and jump, developing competent physical skills.

Children at Rodborough Play Group, which received a Good rating in its recent Ofsted report (Image: Rodborough Play Group)"The committee, manager and staff are all highly enthusiastic in their roles.

"Staff use simple sign language, introduce new vocabulary, and ask carefully considered questions, giving children time to respond.

"Children thoroughly enjoy musical activities and enthusiastically join in singing familiar songs and rhymes. 

Staff and children at Rodborough Play Group following another Good Ofsted rating (Image: Rodborough Play Group)"Partnerships with parents are good.

"Parents report that they are kept well informed about their children's progress."

"The arrangements for safeguarding are effective." 

In order to improve, inspectors said that the playgroup should create more opportunities for children to compare and separate groups of objects to develop their mathematical skills further plus make greater use of spontaneous opportunities to encourage children to talk about size, quantities and numerals.

Vice chair Catherine Forrester said: "We are thrilled with this result, and the way that the report highlights the care which our incredibly dedicated staff have for our children.

"We feel so lucky to have this amazing community resource on our doorstep.”

Play leader Jane Burrows, who has been at Playgroup for 14 years, said: “We’re so proud that the breadth of our play-led curriculum has been recognised, as well as the way that all children - including those with special educational needs - are supported to develop confidence and independence.”