Rainford CofE Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/06/2004 Inspector Name Margaret Travers

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Littlebourne Community Childcare Centre Setting Address Church Road Littlebourne Canterbury Kent CT3 1XS

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Littlebourne Community Childcare Centre

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Littlebourne Community Childcare Centre Address Littlebourne Lady Birds Littlebourne C of E Primary School,Church Road,Littlebourne Canterbury Kent

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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

Littlebourne Ladybirds operates in a mobile in the grounds of Littlebourne Primary school, a few miles outside Canterbury. The group accepts 30 children aged 2 to 5 years. There are 20 children aged 3 and 4 years old that are in receipt of nursery education funding. The group is managed by a committee. There are 5 members of staff who work with the children. The supervisor and 3 other members of staff hold a relecant childcare qualifion The group opens Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:00 term time only with a lunch club betweeen the morning and afternoon sessions.

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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?

Littlebourne Community Childcare Centre's playgroup provides high quality nursery education, which enables children are to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff challenge the children's thinking well through good questioning and by encouraging children to think for themselves. Children are learning to become independent although there are a few missed opportunities to fully develop this during snack time and to encourage more able children to write and recognise their second names. Staff work together very well and plan effectively and with enthusiasm. This results in a well planned range of interesting and stimulating activities and a learning environment in which children are motivated to develop and extend their own learning. The outdoor area is used very well to promote children's physical skills and for recreation. Children are encouraged to develop their imaginations well and staff acknowledge their

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How effective is the nursery education?

achievements by encouraging children to share in creating wall displays. There are good systems in place to ensure children with special educational needs receive good observation and support. Staff observe all children against the stepping stones for learning. The leadership and management is very good. The manager and deputy have been effective in developing a committed team and encourage staff to work together to evaluate the provision. All staff have a strong commitment to maintaining high quality provision. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents are encouraged to complete questionnaires which helps the management evaluate the provision's strengths and weaknesses. Parents receive good quality information and newsletters. They are invited into the setting and have access to a well organised noticeboard displaying photographs of their children, current activity plans and practical information.

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What is being done well?

• Staff encourage children to extend and develop their skills through good questioning and by getting to know individual children well. • Children are motivated to learn through taking part in a wide range of interesting activities. Many of these are child-initiated and staff acknowledge their efforts and encourage children to help in putting up displays. • Children use mathematical concepts in their everyday play and through meaningful experiences • Children are learning about their own cultures and encouraged to be sensitive and considerate of other people

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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 • Children are developing good physical skills during outdoor play and are learning about the world around them through their pets, planting seeds and receiving visitors from the community.

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What needs to be improved?

• Points for consideration • snack times to encourage children to prepare their own snacks and pour their own drinks • name cards to show children's second names to challenge those who are more able.

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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: Very Good Children are happy, relaxed and motivated to learn. They show good confidence during show and tell sessions. They have good relationships with staff and peers and understand the need to consider others as they make get well and thank you cards. Behaviour within the group is good and staff have high expectations for this. Children have good independence and pass a plate of snacks around although there are a few missed opportunities to fully promote independence at snack times.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to recognise and write letters and words and practice in their everyday play. They write labels for displays and read their own names, although more able children do not have the opportunity to read their second names. Children's language skills are developing well as they discuss their ideas and experiences with each other. Their vocabulary is extended well through good teaching. Children enjoy stories and books and interact and remember elements of stories.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are developing mathematics during their play. They talk about three different sized bears and match bowls and spoons and make the right sized bed for each bear. They count groups of children and many four-year-olds can count to twenty. Children recognise numerals on puzzles and wall displays and when looking at books. They recognise patterns in fabric and are encouraged to problem solve by deciding how many more cups they will need at snack time.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about their homes and how these are built. They design and make houses using clay, washing powder boxes, straw and wood and discuss pictures of houses from around the world. Children take part in topics about people who help them and receive visits from the local postman and fireman. They learn about other cultures during Chinese New Year and cook food from other countries. Children observe their pets and newly grown seeds and develop their knowledge of technology on a laptop.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use a good variety of large equipment to develop their climbing and balancing skills. They ride wheeled toys well and take part in regular drama workshops with a visiting teacher. Children learn about the importance of staying healthy when discussing why fruit is good for them and what happens to their bodies when they are active. They use small equipment to develop good coordination and dexterity for example scissors and cotton reels for threading.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's own imaginations and representations are encouraged and they use a wide range of interesting collage materials. Children help to display their own work. They make models and pictures using a range of media and sing and dance to music. Children use puppets and role play well to make up their own stories and good conversations to develop their own ideas.

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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 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.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • Points for consideration: • Extend children's independence at snack times • Extend more able children by teaching them to write and read their second names.

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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.

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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

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