Bacton and Walcott Playgroup criticised in Ofsted report

A North Norfolk playgroup has been told to improve after being branded 'inadequate' by inspectors.

Bacton and Walcott Playgroup, which is based at Bacton First School on Walcott Road, was criticised for 'not meeting children's learning, welfare and development needs effectively'.

Ofsted inspectors, who visited the playgroup on December 14, also highlighted 'weaknesses in leadership and management, planning and evaluation of children's activities, partnerships with parents and safeguarding'.

Its managers have been given a notice to improve and told to:

? plan and provide experiences for children, based on effective assessment of their individual needs

? ensure there is a suitable, qualified person available to act as a named deputy

? ensure all staff understand the learning and development requirements of the early years foundation stage framework

? ensure that all records relating to childcare activities, including fire drills, are easily accessible.

They were also told to seek the views of parents and children regularly and allow them to contribute to the decision-making process.

The report said children were not making sufficient progress towards early learning goals, but added: 'The new management committee is keen to improve the quality of provision and has the capacity to achieve this.'

It said: 'The playgroup is undergoing a period of significant change and the management committee has recently been restructured. Under its new chairman, a qualified and experienced teacher, the committee has identified the key weaknesses of the playgroup.

'It has taken action to begin to address these weaknesses, including instituting changes at management level. This provides secure evidence of a satisfactory capacity to improve.'

? The read the report, visit www.ofsted.gov.uk.