Oundle Community Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 18/03/2003 Inspector Name Anne Archer

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Setting Name Oundle Community Pre-School Setting Address Fletton House Glapthorn Road,Oundle Peterborough Northamptonshire PE8 4JA

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Oundle Community Pre-School 1025457

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Oundle Community Pre-School Address Fletton House Glapthorn Road, Oundle Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE8 4JA

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Oundle Community Pre-School is a committee run provision. It operates from single storey premises adjacent to the local library. The premises consists of a main play room, toilets, entrance hall, kitchen area and storage cupboards. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. There are parking facilities at the front of the building for staff and parents. The pre-school is registered to provide sessional day care for twenty-six children aged between 2 - 5 years. There are currently forty children on roll. This includes 16 funded three year olds and 14 funded four year olds. One child attending has a statement of special educational needs. All children speak English as their first language. The pre-school is open each week day during term-time from 9:15 am until 12:00 pm. Afternoon sessions are held on Wednesday from 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm to meet increased demands in places. The group employs five members of staff. Of these, four have completed or are

p.2

Information about the setting

currently undertaking childcare qualifications. This includes the pre-school supervisor who holds a teaching qualification. One member of staff is due to commence training next year. The pre-school is working towards a model of social constructivism, is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and receives support from the Northamptonshire Early years Development and Childcare Partnership.

p.2

Information about the setting

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

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

Oundle Community Pre-school offers a very good educational programme in a bright friendly environment. Effective planning and teaching help children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Enthusiastic staff work harmoniously as a team and provide a stimulating and well-balanced range of activities to promote children's learning. Staff use resources well and present activities in an exciting way. Staff extend children's learning through effective questioning and offer individual support when required. A very effective system to identify and support children with special needs is in place ensuring children take an active and full part in the pre-school curriculum. Leadership and management of the setting is very good. The Pre-school leader and the staff team have worked exceptionally hard during the last two years to assess

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and put strategies in place to enable them to improve the quality of the educational programme for all children. There is an effective appraisal scheme in operation and staff training is ongoing. The staff group are now planning to work towards accreditation with the Pre-school Learning Alliance Quality Assurance Scheme. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Each child is allocated a member of staff as their key worker and they work closely with parents, especially during periods of transition, exchanging information on a daily basis. Parents receive a very comprehensive prospectus and a half termly newsletter. Parents have regular opportunities to see their child's records and discuss progress including informal parent's evenings. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child's learning and home observation sheets are available for them to complete if they

p.3

What is being done well?

• An exciting curriculum is planned around the stepping stones and early learning goals. It offers an excellent range of activities which engage and maintain children's interest and efforts. • Staff use space and resources very effectively to develop and extend children's learning. • Parents are provided with good quality, detailed information about the foundation stage curriculum, are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning and have regular opportunities to discuss their children's progress with the pre-school staff.

p.3

What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • The leadership of the setting is very good and there is an enthusiastic and committed staff team.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• Opportunities for children to practise and improve their IT skills .

p.4

What has improved since the last inspection?

The pre-school has made very good progress since the last inspection in January 2001. The action plan drawn up by staff, and supported by committee, to address the previous key issues has been fully implemented. The pre-school leader is a qualified early years teacher and with her experience, advice and support the staff have improved the quality of the educational programme. Staff have attended and continue to attend early years training and foundation stage curriculum training. Staff have extended their knowledge and improved their understanding of the six areas of learning and this has had a positive impact on their teaching and on the children's learning. The comprehensive planning documents now include group and individual learning intentions, where appropriate. Activities are regularly assessed and evaluated and the information is used to inform future planning. Target observations are used to

p.4

What has improved since the last inspection?

ensure individual learning needs are planned for and met. Parents now receive good quality information about the education provision and about their children's progress and attainment. They are encouraged to take an active role in their child's learning.

p.4

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

p.4

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are very confident to try new activities, initiate ideas and speak in a familiar group. Children have a very good awareness of the boundaries set and the behaviour expectations within the setting. Children make connections between different parts of their life, and show a strong sense of self as a member of different communities, such as their family and the pre-school. They develop an understanding that people have different needs that should be respected.

p.5

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak confidently in small and large groups. They use talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next, during role-play and stories. Children link sounds to letters and recognise rhyme in spoken words. Children listen to stories, are aware of the way they are structured and can suggest how a story might end. Children use one handed tools and equipment in a variety of situations. They develop skills to trace and write recognisable letters.

p.5

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children learn how to use numbers in everyday situations. Children enjoy counting and succeed in getting most numbers in the correct order. They recognise numerals one to five and sometimes recognise one to nine. Children develop their understanding of addition and subtraction by participating in well planned small group activities. Children learn about shape, space and measure and sometimes use mathematical language during play.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children remember and talk about significant things that have happened to them and show an interest in the lives of people they know. Children show an interest in the world in which they live and have an awareness of the cultures and beliefs of others. Children use a range of tools and techniques safely while participating in interesting and sometimes unusual activities. Children enthusiastically investigate objects and materials using all their senses as appropriate.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move with confidence, imagination and pleasure and experiment enthusiastically with different ways of moving. They can mount steps and climbing equipment using alternate feet. Children understand that good practices with regard to eating and hygiene can contribute to good health and are aware of the effect of activity on their bodies. Children develop their fine and gross motor skills when participating in a range of exciting activities using both small and large equipment.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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

p.5

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore and learn about sound, sing simple songs and match movement to music. Children explore colour, texture and shape through a variety of media and talk enthusiastically about their creations. They respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell and feel. Children play co-operatively and imaginatively engaging in the same theme, sometimes acting out a narrative.

p.6

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

p.6

OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

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

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • Point for Consideration : • Continue to develop opportunities for children to practise and improve their IT skills.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

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.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

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

p.7