Preston College

Dorothy Stringer Pre-School Playgroup Inspection report for early years provision

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130740 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Chris Mackinnon Inspector

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Dorothy Stringer Play Group, Stringer Way, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 6QG

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E-mail

Dorothy Stringer Playgroup Registered person Integrated Type of inspection Sessional care Type of care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Dorothy Stringer Playgroup has been an established day care setting since 1973. It operates within a de-mountable building in the grounds of Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton. Children have access to several care rooms and an enclosed outdoor area. The setting is open five days a week during term time, from 9:00 to 11:30 and 12:30 to 15:00. A maximum of 18 children aged two to five years may attend. There are currently 35 children on roll with 26 receiving nursery education funding. The setting supports children with disabilities and or learning difficulties and children who speak English as an additional language. There is a staff team of six and all have appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well supported at the setting, with successful procedures in place to meet children's hygiene needs. Consistent adult support helps children to be clean and children also

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 learn to tidy-up and use toilets independently. Staff effectively encourage children to be active and to enjoy a wide range of physical activities. Children have fun exploring the larger outdoor play equipment at the setting and enjoy inventing their own games and play. Children have healthy snacks and fresh fruit and are introduced to different foods. The range of organised physical activities for funded children is well planned to support healthy growth and confidence, with a wide range of activities provided indoors and outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and develop well in a bright and stimulating learning environment. Children also have access to a safe and well organised outdoor play area which is used regularly. Staff take care to ensure all required safety features are in place and the security of the setting is well maintained. A full and attractive range of resources is provided for all ages of children attending. Children enjoy using art-crafts, assembly and role-play materials and a good range of safe outdoor resources is also provided. A good selection of suitable books and reading material is available to interest and stimulate children's ideas and use of words. Children enjoy using and exploring a wide range of early learning resources, well organised to meet their developing needs. Staff have a good awareness of the need to safeguard children and the setting has clear written guidance to ensure children's welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating experiences at the setting, well supported by a well organised and effective play and learning programme. Children's activities are successfully presented to ensure children are involved and occupied. Children have creative art-craft activities and extend their learning by exploring a well prepared range of puzzles and assembly toys, shapes and counting resources. Children are inventive with role-play and have many opportunities for outdoor activities and to learn about nature. Staff follow clear learning themes and develop children's writing and use of words. Regular reading and story-time sessions are included and children have much fun during expressive play with dressing-up, singing and using musical instruments. Children's confidence and skills are well encouraged by many good quality adult interactions and close staff support. Individual children are well supported by staff who

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

are skilled in helping children enjoy their play and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Nursery Education. The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children follow a well planned learning programme that provides a good range of challenging activities. Staff have a clear and confident knowledge of the Foundation Stage and are able to extend children's development within all learning areas. Staff make good use of language to support children's learning, with many opportunities also provided to explore counting, sizes and colours. Staff work closely with children to support their individual learning needs and children are encouraged to develop relationships and explore their feelings. Staff are confident in allowing children to initiate and develop their own activities and children enjoy being expressive and inventive while learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed at the setting and encouraged to join in and play together. Children learn to share and take turns, which fosters their spiritual moral, social and cultural development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are closely supported and prompted by staff to care for each other and their play environment. Staff are experienced in providing care to children with disabilities and individual children's communication and development needs are also successfully supported. Staff manage children's behaviour confidently and are able to work effectively with children to encourage their social and emotional development. A wide range of resources and activities are available within the setting to reflect diversity and promote children's understanding of other cultures. Parents are given clear information on their children's progress and the learning programme. Parents also have access to the setting's guidance and policy documents, but the written record of complaints is not easily accessible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The setting is well organised to work with parents in supporting children's care and development. Parents have sound links with staff and their children's key workers, with detailed information provided on individual children's learning achievements. Parents have access to full details of the setting's monthly play themes and parents are encouraged to support their children's learning at home. Parents have access to a clearly organised notice board and newsletter. Parents may also visit the setting to support their children's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children enjoy their time at the setting and make good progress, well supported by an effective play and learning programme. The play areas are well prepared for a wide range of activities and provide many good learning opportunities for children. A well organised supply of play and learning resources supports children in having fun and learning new skills. All required documentation and written records are up-to-date and well organised. Clearly written policy material ensures the efficient management of the setting and staff deployment is effectively organised to support children's learning. Staff are enthusiastic and confident and have regular meetings to review the planned activities and individual children's development. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom they provide.

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Organisation

The leadership and management within the setting is good. The supervisor leads staff effectively in providing a successful learning programme. The setting's planning is detailed and effective and includes all areas of learning. A good and varied range of activities is provided to promote children's progress and achievement. Staff are well organised and confident when supporting children's learning, but the written observations of children's achievements could be further developed. The evaluation of the setting's learning programme is also effectively organised, with frequent staff meetings to revise and develop new ideas and play themes.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the setting has introduced a named person to be responsible for safeguarding children, improving outcomes for children in Staying Safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the complaints record is accessible

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop the observation and recording of individual children's achievements

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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