St Michael's Christian Pre- School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/01/2005 Inspector Name Jayne Lesley Taylor

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St Michael's Christian Pre- School Playgroup Setting Address Maynard Avenue Norton Stourbridge West Midlands DY8 3EE

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Michael's Christian Pre-school

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Michael's Christian Pre-school Address The Church Centre Maynard Avenue Stourbridge West Midlands DY8 3EE

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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

St Michaels Christian Playgroup operates in the Church Hall of St Michaels Church in Norton approximately 2 miles from Stourbridge town centre. It has been running since 1993 and is registered for 30 children. The group opens five days per week; Session times are 9.15am - 12.00pm Term time only. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group take grant funded children and receive support from a teacher mentor. The group takes children with special needs. All staff have attended first aid training.

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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?

St Michaels Christian Pre School Playgroup provides very good quality nursery education overall which, enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is very good, staff have knowledge of the foundation stage curriculum, taking an active role in supporting children's learning. They make available interesting and exciting activities to help children progress, taking into account children's varying levels of ability and need, encouraging them to extend their learning relevant to their age and level of understanding. Children are not always able to self select activities and resources.Staff continually encourage the children to be independent and to think and make decisions for themselves, they are consistent in their management of children's behaviour. They help and support children to develop confidence and self esteem. All staff use assessments to identify children's

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How effective is the nursery education?

progress and guide next steps in children's learning. All staff are actively involved in developing and implementing planning Leadership and management is very good. A supportive management structure is in place with all staff aware of everyone's roles and responsibilities. They actively assess strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that any improvements required are put into place immediately. Both management and staff are very committed to providing high quality education to the children. Partnership with parents is very good. They receive a good range of information about the foundation stage curriculum and other relevant matters. There are formal and informal systems in place for keeping parents fully updated about every aspect of their child's achievements and progress and for exchanging information. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child and be involved in their child's' learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children play confidently and imaginatively both individually and with others, resources are available to encourage them to act out their thoughts and their experiences. • Staff work directly with the children maintaining a good balance between encouragement and intervention supporting children's learning. • Staff are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the pre school and continually monitor and evaluate practice to extend and improve the care and education for the children.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the resources available to increase children's knowledge and understanding of different cultures and religions • the opportunities for children to self select writing materials.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Not applicable, this is the first inspection.

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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 interested, motivated to learn and enthusiastic to join in familiar and new activities. They confidently talk to each other and adults expressing their views and asking questions. They have good relationships with each other and staff and are aware of each others feelings and needs, taking responsibility for their own care. They play co operatively and complete tasks independently and with others.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children confidently talk to others and listen, they actively join in group sessions, sharing information, ideas and answer questions. They understand that marks have meaning and can write recognisable letters with some being able to write their own name, children cannot always self select writing materials in all play situations. Most children can link sounds to letters and can identify their own names. The children understand that print carries meaning and follow storylines in books.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use numbers and counting in everyday situations with some children counting to 20 and above. They understand and use a range of mathematical language to compare size, shape, weight and measure in a variety of different activities. Children understand that different shapes are required for specific objects and select them to complete specific designs. Children undertake calculations in everyday situations.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children understand about their environment,the wider world and about the features of living things,they are aware of the process of change and can discuss it competently. They talk about past and present events in their lives, connected with themselves and their families. They use a range of everyday technology purposefully and competently. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of different cultures and religions, there are some resources available to support and develop learning.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move freely both inside and outside with good control and co ordination, they manoeuvre around obstacles safely, taking account of what other children are doing. They have a good understanding of the need to and how to stay healthy and are aware of the need for good hygiene. They recognise the changes that take place to their bodies during and after exercise. Children construct using a range of materials and confidently manipulate small objects and materials.

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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 play imaginatively both individually and as part of a group, communicating their ideas and using their imagination. They enjoy listening to and are actively involved in music and singing sessions. They undertake activities and experiences that encourages them to use a range of media and materials, discussing what they are going to make, what they need and how they are going to make it. Children can express and communicate ideas through planned painting activities.

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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 improving the following: • further increase resources to extend children's development in knowledge an understanding of the world, particularly in relation to culture and religion • extend opputunities for children to freely access writing materials. 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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