Press Release
Little Tikes - A “caring and welcoming environment for children and families”
Little Tikes Playgroup in Girlsta has today received a positive report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe). The report comes after an inspection visit in May this year. In the report, inspectors singled out the centre’s “particular strengths” as being:
- Happy children who enjoy their learning
- Relationships between children and staff
- Relationships between children and the wider community
- Staff enthusiasm and commitment to improvement of the service.
The report says that the children in the playgroup make good friendships and help each other in their play, “showing kindness and sharing resources well.” The inspectors also commented on the fact that children “co-operate well with adults and have positive and caring relationships with all staff".
Chair of the Council’s Children and Families Committee, Councillor Betty Fullerton, said that she was very pleased with the report adding, “This is a very encouraging report. It shows that children at Little Tikes take part in a wide range of activities – indoors and out. It also shows how involved parents are in this group. I would like to congratulate the hard-working staff and all the bairns at Little Tikes and thank the parents for their support”.
The inspection team agreed with centre staff that there could be improvements made in the following areas:
- Improve the curriculum in line with national guidance to meet the needs of all children.
- Improve assessment to ensure more challenge and progress for all learners.
- Involve children and parents more in planning and evaluating learning.
- Make more effective use of monitoring and self-evaluation to improve learning and teaching.
HMIe will not be making a return inspection. The centre and the Council’s Schools Service will keep parents informed about the centre’s progress in meeting these action points.
A full copy of the HMIe report is available here: http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/Little%20Tikes%20Playgroup%206100414.pdf