Abbey Lane Primary School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Hillside Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 106982 Inspection date 19/01/2009 Inspector Ron Hall

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Setting address Air Balloon Hill Infant School, Hillside Road, Bristol, Avon, BS5 7PB Telephone number 0117 9478371 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Hillside Pre-School has been in operation for 26 years. It is situated within the grounds of Air Balloon Infant School in St George, Bristol. The purpose built accommodation is owned by the group and consists of a large playroom, toilets and a staffroom. Children have easy access to an enclosed outside play area adjacent to the building, with hard and grassed surfaces. They also have use of the large school playing field. The pre-school is privately owned and managed by a committee made up of parents and staff and has charity status.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school is registered for 24 children aged between three and five years of age. At present there are 75 children on roll, including 60 funded three year olds and 20 funded four year olds. The provider is on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The group has provision for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. It is open on weekdays during term times, from 9.15 to 11.30 and from 12.30 to 15.00.

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Description of the setting

There are five members of staff, including the group’s leaders who have gained a level 3 qualification and the other member of staff is qualified to level 2. All staff hold suitable first aid qualifications. Parents also help in sessions on a rota system. Children attend from the local and surrounding areas. The group has strong links with the neighbouring infant school, from which it receives advice and guidance on the delivery of the pre-school curriculum. The facility has good disabled access and is fully inclusive.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Hillside Pre-School is a good provision where the staff provide a varied and interesting curriculum. The staff know the children well and so provide for their needs accurately. The children enjoy being in the provision and feel safe and secure at all times. Hillside is fully inclusive with good disabled access and caters for each individual child’s needs, whatever their cultural background. Staff work with parents well and these links create good communication systems, which in turn positively promote outcomes for children. The capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 supplement the current informal monitoring of standards with regular formal procedures  develop greater use of free choice activities for the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Leadership and management are good and good progress has been made since the last inspection. The regular review process carried out by the leadership and management committee brings about good improvements which benefit the children. Staff routinely monitor and record children’s progress and use this information to ensure each child’s next steps for learning are targeted to their needs. The group leaders are aware of the need to enhance informal monitoring of standards with formal systems and use external Local Authority advisors to give external moderation.

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provision

The management committee reviews all policies on a regular basis and works closely with the leadership team to ensure the highest possible standards. They also ensure all safeguarding procedures are current and ensure all children are safe. All staff are appropriately qualified and have relevant first aid qualifications. Risk assessments are carried out routinely for all areas of the provision. The outdoor risk assessment on the day of the inspection curtailed the work the children could do but also focused the usable areas effectively.

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provision

Parents are very supportive and feel Hillside provides a good environment for their children. One stated, 'It’s brilliant, they have good routines and a wide range of activities’. All parents questioned felt there was good communication and staff really cared for the children. Although the provision is relatively small, parents felt this was a strength, one commented, ‘It’s really good, just the right size and they use all the resources well’. Staff regularly report progress to parents and have a good newsletter and systems in place.

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provision

The policy and planning documentation demonstrates staff have a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Every Child Matters agenda. This documentation effectively guides the learning of every child and allows for the careful targeting of resources and staff intervention. Leadership is beginning to use self-assessment but do have a good overview of the provision. All statutory documentation and procedures are in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Hillside Pre-School provides a good quality of early years provision. Children clearly enjoy attending and are enthusiastic about the wide range of activities available. Children use basic computer systems and programmes well, several children were seen thoroughly enjoying several language development programmes. These children were working independently and had excellent mouse and basic keyboard skills. They learn about the use of money through exciting role play activities in their pretend shop. Other children were engrossed in painting and pasting activities, whilst others were fully engaged in mathematical games or toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children demonstrated good social skills, sharing without any problems and discussing their activities freely both with peers and adults alike. Staff intervention was well timed to both enhance and further develop learning and the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responded to them very well. All children clearly enjoy their learning and several stated they were very happy there and really liked the teachers. Currently, children do not spend enough time on choosing their own activities. However, staff are aware of the need to ensure greater use of independent learning alongside group activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All resources are in good order and suit the ages and abilities of the children. The outdoor equipment is well used by the children and even in inclement weather the children love playing on the bikes, cars, sand tray and other large equipment. Children enjoy staff participation, which helps develop their physical skills, imagination and social skills. Staff routinely play with the children and this brings another dimension to the children’s learning and imagination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff regularly observe their key children and accurately record progress in order to ensure the next steps for learning are carefully targeted. There is good use made of the EYFS learning journey books to record children’s progress and these are shared with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The provision has a large number of small musical instruments and the children are more than enthusiastic to play them. Good staff guidance results in the children developing a wide range of skills from the activity, such as the sounds each make, how they can be played louder or quieter and ways in which they can be played such as tapping. Language and mathematical skills are developed through a range of puzzles and games as well as a range of toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have a good understanding of health and safety issues and snack time provides an ideal opportunity for staff to reinforce healthy eating comments and the need for children to wash their hands. There was a wide range of fruit and drinks on offer and the children make good choices. All the children are confident and happy and are more than willing to talk to adults in the provision. They give their views and ideas and staff encourage them to do so. The children also participate in selecting activities for the next day and/or week. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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