My First Friends Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/09/2004 Inspector Name Rebecca Trow

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name My First Friends Ltd Day Nursery & Pre School Setting Address Ashbrook Drive Rubery, Rednal Birmingham West Midlands B45 9FP

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name My First Friends Ltd Address Ashbrook Drive Great Park Rubery Birmingham West Midlands B45 9FP

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents. If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.

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Information about the setting

My First Friends nursery opened in 2004. It operates from three large areas in a purpose built building in Rubery, Birmingham. The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 60 children from nought to three years on roll. This includes 10 funded 3 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs. The nursery opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 07.30 until 18.00. There are 17 staff who work with the children. Over half ten staff have early years qualifications to NVQ Level 2 or 3. There is one member of staff currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The nursery receives input from a support teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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Information about the setting

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

My First Friends nursery provides generally good nursery education for children. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is generally good. Staff have a developing understanding of the Foundation Stage and are currently reviewing the planning systems as they do not relate to the stepping stones. Staff ensure that children are challenged appropriately and adapt activities to ensure children are stimulated. They offer guidance to children when undertaking new activities though the structure of the routine inhibits children's free choice on occasion. Staff place emphasis on positive behaviour and use consistent strategies to manage their behaviour. As a result children understand what is expected of them and respond well to staff. Time and resources are organised effectively and children experience a wide range of activities in the outdoor area. Staff make good use of children's assessments, recording how

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How effective is the nursery education?

children learn. Leadership and management is very good. The new owners of the nursery and the whole staff team demonstrate a commitment to improving the standard of care and education offered. Procedures for staff development and appraisals are clear and staff meet regularly. The proprietor is committed to obtaining feedback from parents and the manager monitors all planning. The setting welcomes input from the support teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). Partnership with parents is generally good. The setting provide some basic written information about the Foundation Stage but it does not include how it is taught. The setting has formal systems in place for sharing children's progress with parents and encourages staff and parents to exchange information regularly. Parents are kept informed of ways they can be involved in their child's learning via regular newsletters.

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What is being done well?

• Children show enthusiasm for new and familiar activities and they form good relationships with staff, peers and others. • Staff challenge children appropriately during group activities, adapting them to ensure all children are stimulated. • Children have good coordination and move with control both indoors and outside. • The managers and staff team are committed to improving the care and education offered, through constant reviewing of the service and training to address any areas for development.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• the detail in planning systems and opportunities for children to express free choice • children's understanding of various cultures and beliefs • written information for parents, relating to the Foundation Stage and how it is taught.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children form good relationships with peers and staff. they work well in groups and pairs and regularly share and take turns. Their behaviour is good and they respond well to staff. Children approach activities with enthusiasm though the development of their independence is sometimes limited by the structure of the day.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are aware that print carries meaning and talk about what they have drawn or painted. They use language for communication and instigate conversation with staff and peers. they listen attentively and contribute to group sessions. Children's writing practise is limited.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children know and use number names throughout their play. They use mathematical language to describe position and shape though they do not show an awareness of the similarities between shapes in their environment. Children are developing an understanding of calculation and sometimes compare numbers.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children have a good sense of time and talk about past and future events in detail. They show an interest in changes that happen to living things. Children's developing sense of place is demonstrated when they talk about what they do at home and at nursery being different. Children's understanding of various cultures and beliefs is limited.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are skilled at handling a range of large and small equipment. They move around the setting both inside and outdoors with control though they do not always show an awareness of space when playing with others. Children have a good understanding of their own physical needs.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children express their imagination through art and role play. They often imitate adults during their play. Children enjoy music sessions and know a range of songs and related actions. Children do not often use objects to represent another during their imaginative play.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• ensure planning enables children to develop independence and free choice and is referenced to the stepping stones • develop children's understanding of various cultures and beliefs • provide written information for parents about the Foundation Stage and how it is taught.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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