Radipole Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/07/2004 Inspector Name Maureen Deamer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Gabriel's Playgroup Setting Address St Gabriel's Hall East Street Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 9QH

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Gabriel's Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Gabriel's Playgroup Address St Gabriel's Hall 18 East Street Billingshurst West Sussex RH14 9QH

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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

Registered Charity Number: 1036707 St. Gabriel's Playgroup is registered as a facility offering sessional day care. The group is accommodated in a spacious hall of St.Gabriel's church in the West Sussex village of Billingshurst and has immediate access to an large outdoor area. The facility is registered for 24 children aged from two and a half years to five years old. The Playgroup is in receipt of nursery education funding for children aged 3 and 4 yeras old. It is open each morning from 09:15 to 12:00 and three afternoons a week from 13;15 to 16;00. Term time only The majority of staff hold a recognised child care qualifications and are experienced in their work. The children had opportunities for structured and free play, some sessions were specifically for the older pre-school child. The group had supportive parents and committee.

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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?

The provision of nursery education at St. Gabriel's Playgroup is acceptable and of high quality overall. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals of the Foundation Stage curriculum. They use their knowledge effectively to plan and present children with a stimulating and interesting programme of activities and new learning experiences. This ensures all children progress very well towards the early learning goals in all six areas. It is planned for the outside area to be further developed to support children in their learning. Planning identifies how learning is extended for older and more able children, simplified for younger children and, children with special educational needs. Staff form very good relationships with the children and work well together as a

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How effective is the nursery education?

team. They act as good role models and actively teach children good manners, social skills and consideration for others. Children behave very well. The staff teaching skills enable all children to gain a high level of independence. Staff make clear observation records of children's progress and evaluate the learning programme well. Leadership and management are very good. The management and staff are motivated and work effectively as a team. They act as extremely good role models. There are formal and informal systems in place to monitor and evaluate the provision of care and education. Staff development is encouraged and staff are given opportunities to attend training. Partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents and carers receive good quality information about the playgroup and the early learning goals. They are kept well informed of their child's progress and achievements. Parents and carers are

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How effective is the nursery education?

actively involved in the management and day to day activities of the group. This enables them to and support their child's learning at home.

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What is being done well?

• Staff use excellent strategies to promote good behaviour and consideration for others. They give children clear and consistent boundaries and help them understand the impact of unacceptable behaviour on others. • The staff's calm and polite manner sets a very good example for children. • Parents are kept very well informed of their child's progress. There is an extensive range of books which they can borrow to help their child learn at home. Parents are actively encouraged to spend time in the group which supports children's learning.

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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 • Staff have a secure knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum, stepping stones and early learning goals. They use their knowledge to plan and present children with new learning experiences and to help them build on what they already know. • The leadership and management are very good. The management and staff are motivated and work well as a team. There is a strong commitment to training for all staff.

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What needs to be improved?

• the plans for a soft play area which will further enhance children's physical development.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection. Staff have given children's physical development high priority in their planning. Children use the outside area every day weather permitting. There is a hard surface and a grassed area which has slopes and dips which enable children to develop their physical skills. New equipment has been purchased which supports children's physical development.

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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 confident, happy and motivated to learn. Relationships between the children and staff are extremely good. Staff are consistent in their praise and encouragement and teach children good manners and social skills. Children are given good opportunities to select resources and choose for themselves. Children develop their personal independence very well through daily routines.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children communicate well with adults and other children. They share ideas individually and in groups. They learn to listen to stories, handle books well and enjoy taking books home to share with their parents. They are encouraged to write in purposeful ways, such as during role play. Children recognise their first names and are beginning to write these in well formed letters. They are encouraged to notice sounds of letters in everyday activities, rhyme and group songs, stories and displays.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count confidently up to ten and often beyond. They are beginning to write and recognise numerals and to understand different systems for calculating in practical activities such as when sorting the elephants. Children are encouraged to use comparative language and to understand mathematical ideas through an extensive range of resources in planned topics and everyday situations.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are offered a range of activities and topics that encourage them to explore, investigate and find out about the world in which they live. They are developing an awareness of their own and other cultures including a variety of festivals, through an effective range of resources and teaching methods. Children are developing an understanding of everyday and information technology, they use educational computer programmes to support their learning.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently both indoors and outside the playgroup, they show a good awareness of space and others. The excellent outdoor play provision enables children to develop control, co-ordination and their gross motor skills well. Children learn to handle tools and small equipment with control and increasing skill. Daily activities and planned topics help children understand the importance of staying healthy.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore texture, shape and colour by using a variety of techniques, materials and media in both 2D and 3D. They are encouraged to use their senses by creating collage displays, cooking activities and exploring rhythms and patterns of sound. Children participate enthusiastically in role play, they communicate their thoughts and ideas well, while they learn about the roles of people who help in the community.

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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: • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to the following: • Continue with plans to enhance outside area with the addition of the planned soft play area.

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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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