The Donkey Field Pre School

The Donkey Field Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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155339 Unique Reference Number 26 February 2008 Inspection date Chris Mackinnon Inspector

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Crawley Down C of E Village School, Hophurst Drive, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4XA

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Setting Address

07890 28096 01342717877 Telephone number

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E-mail

The Donkeyfield Pre-School 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?

Donkey Field Preschool opened in 2001 and is located in an adjoining wing of Crawley Down Infant School, in Crawley Down, West Sussex. Children have a purpose built play space with access to an enclosed outdoor area. The setting is registered for maximum of 24 children aged between two and five years. There are currently 64 children on roll and 17 children receive funding. The setting is open from Monday to Friday during term times, providing two sessions per day. The setting is able to care for children with English as an additional language and children with disabilities. There is a staff team of nine, with two staff currently training.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Staff support children effectively in learning how to be tidy and clean. Frequent adult guidance helps children gain a good understanding of hygiene and how to organise their personal care. Children's individual health and development is successfully maintained by a well organised

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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 key-worker system. Children's physical confidence is consistently encouraged, with frequent outdoor games and activities. Children also enjoy many well organised group games and much improvised role-play. Children take part in food preparation and learn about healthy eating. Drinking water is available for children throughout the play sessions, with a range of fresh fruits provided at snack times. Children enjoy a wide range of games and activities, which effectively supports their continued good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a safe and well organised care and learning environment. Close staff supervision and well established safety procedures ensure children avoid harm and hazards. Children are encouraged to use the resources and play areas safely. Staff are deployed effectively and children are guided to move safely within the setting, including outdoors. A well organised and extensive range of play and learning materials enables all children to be expressive and to enjoy their activities. Children particularly enjoy choosing and adapting resources to support their own invented play. The setting's wide range of early learning resources also provides many challenging learning experiences for children. The staff are trained and experienced and have a confident understanding of the need to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children achieve exceptionally well and greatly enjoy being at the setting. Children explore a wide range of resources and have much fun, during many highly creative and challenging activities. Children are consistently encouraged to be inventive and are highly accomplished at creating their own role play and learning experiences. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to develop their physical confidence, with many active group games and outdoor activities. Many good quality adult-child interactions encourages children's learning and children successfully use a wide range of tools and materials. Staff are highly confident teachers, with a dynamic and dedicated approach, that easily encourages children’s learning progress. Staff are well motivated and work together highly effectively as a team, to support children's learning and enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Staff have a sure and highly confident knowledge of the early learning curriculum and are highly skilled in extending children's learning. Staff consistently question and challenge children to encourage their learning and staff are highly effective in helping children to initiate and develop their own play. During many adult led learning activities and in much child initiated play, children's development is consistently extended across all six learning areas. Children learn to write, count and be creative. Children are also effectively encouraged to explore their feelings and understand the world around them. The staff key-worker system is particularly effective in assessing and supporting individual children's progress. The systematic and precise observation of children during activities, is highly well organised and a strong element within the setting's teaching practice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy at the setting and enjoy playing, exploring and sharing their ideas. Staff support children successfully in sharing, turn-taking and learning to be helpful, which fosters their social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. Staff are effective in supporting all children in their use and access to play and learning resources. The setting has a good range of resources and activities that reflect diversity, and children's awareness of other cultures and the wider world is effectively encouraged. Parents are provided with clear details of the setting's range of activities and staff keep parents regularly informed of their children's care and development needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The setting works effectively with parents to support children's learning and achievement. Well organised written information is provided for parents on the children's activities. Parents are also able to consult regularly with their children's key-workers to assess their children's progress through the learning stages. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the setting's play programme, but the information provided for parents on the children's early learning themes is limited. Parents are welcome to stay or visit the setting at any time to support their children's learning progress

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The setting's play areas are well organised for a wide range of games and activities. Many successful learning opportunities are provided for children. A varied and stimulating range of play and learning resources is also on hand to help children have fun and learn new skills. All required documentation and written records are up-to-date and accessible. Clearly written policy material helps staff to efficiently manage and organise the setting. Staff work together effectively, with a well organised key-worker system that successfully supports individual children's care and development. Staff are qualified and experienced and all staff take a close interest in developing the setting's programme of activities. 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 early learning programme. Staff are confident and effective teachers, with a clear knowledge of children's development stages. The setting's planning is well organised and includes all six areas of learning. Staff take care to present a rich and varied learning programme that successfully encourages children's achievement. The evaluation and assessment of the early learning programme is also confidently and consistently organised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the setting has revised the safeguarding children policy and updated Fire Safety procedures, providing improved 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): • update the records of children's accidents and medication to be more confidential

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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): • provide more information for parents on the children's early learning themes

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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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