Our Playgroup is inspected by:

• Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW).
  (Our most recent inspection report, 2010, is here.)
  
  
• Estyn (Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales). This is the same body that is responsible for inspecting schools in Wales.The most recent Estyn Inspection report (March 2009) is here.
  Below are the main findings.

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"The bond between the adults in the playgroup, the children in their care,
together with that of the parents, is outstanding"

(More quotes here.)

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Standards achieved by children in the seven areas of learning *

Areas of learning	Grade for under-fives
Personal and social development, well-being and cultural diversity	1
Language, literacy and communication skills	1
Mathematical development	1
Welsh language development	1
Knowledge and understanding of the world	1
Physical development	1
Creative development	1

Inspection judgement on the quality of education
provided by the setting

Quality of education	Grade for under-fives
Quality of provision for children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development	1
Quality of planning for children’s learning	1
Quality of teaching	1
Quality of assessment and recording of children’s progress, and reports for parents and carers	1
Quality of the relationships with parents, carers and the community	1
The contribution made by the setting to children’s well-being	1
Quality of the leadership and management of the setting	1
The progress made by the setting in implementing the key issues for action identified in the last inspection report	1

More quotes from the Report

"Wick and District Playgroup has clear aims and values, that are achieved extremely well and these are demonstrated in its work and in the children's development. The adults at the playgroup are a very strong team and this is an outstanding feature."

"The very good planning for children's learning ensures that there is continuity and effectively builds on what children can do, so extending their experiences."

"All children use good decision making skills and explore new, exciting experiences confidently. Children's behaviour is exemplary."

"(The children) listen attentively, express opinions confidently, answer and ask questions clearly and have ample opportunities to express their thoughts and explore meaning."

"They leave their parents and carers happily, quickly engage in a wide variety of activities, demonstrating excellent independent thinking and learning skills."

"The consistent interaction between the adults and children raises their standard of achievement and enhances their language development in both Welsh as well as English and this is an exceptional feature of the teaching."

"The high quality of teaching is firmly based on a secure knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Phase outcomes for children's learning ... Staff are extraordinarily experienced and very well qualified."

* Inspectors have used a five point scale to record all judgements.
Grade definitions are:
Grade 1 - good with outstanding features
Grade 2 - good features and no important shortcomings
Grade 3 - good features outweigh shortcomings
Grade 4 - some good features, but shortcomings in important areas
Grade 5 - many important shortcomings