A PLAYGROUP at a school in Bodelwyddan has been praised for the “safe and secure” environment it provides its children, in an Estyn report.

Faenol Playgroup CIC, a nursery group at Ysgol y Faenol on Johns Drive, was inspected in June, with a report published some months later.

The playgroup caters for 22 children, and the report scored the nursery ‘good’ according to criteria such as well-being, care and development, environment, teaching and assessment, and leadership and management.

A summary of the report’s findings said: “Nearly all children arrive happily at the setting and are eager to start playing. The children have warm, close relationships with practitioners and receive support and comfort if needed. They feel safe and valued at the setting.

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“All practitioners are kind, caring and supportive, and interact with children in a warm and gentle manner. This creates a positive, happy and engaging atmosphere at the setting. Practitioners know their children very well and talk to them sensitively to ensure they feel safe and happy.

“Practitioners work well together to keep children safe and healthy. Practitioners develop children’s literacy and creative skills well. Practitioners enable children to develop their physical skills well.

“Practitioners develop children’s knowledge of Welsh and Welsh cultures well and use familiar phrases and vocabulary well during whole group sessions.

“Leaders ensure the indoor and outdoor environments are safe and secure. The environment is welcoming and provides a range of opportunities for children to play, learn and move freely between indoor and outdoor areas.

“Leaders are totally committed to children’s well-being, happiness, and development.”

The inspection made two recommendations for improvement:

  • Develop practitioners’ use of a range of questions to further develop children’s learning and thinking skills
  • Develop further opportunities for children to develop their problem-solving skills