St Sylvester's RC Infant School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/06/2003 Inspector Name Malini Parmar

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Lenham Nursery School Setting Address Lenham County Primary School Ham Lane,Lenham Maidstone Kent ME17 2QG

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and 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

Lenham Nursery School was registered in 1992. It operates from rooms within Lenham County Primary School. It has its own cloakroom facilities and a kitchen area. A small conservatory room has recently been built off the main play room. There is an enclosed outside play space with grassed and paved areas. It is set in a residential area within walking distance of Lenham village. Children attend from Lenham and surrounding villages. The nursery is registered to provide 18 places for children aged between two -five years. It is managed by a committee of trustees which includes some representatives from the school. There are currently 48 children on roll. Most children attend on a sessional basis. There is one child with special needs and one child with English as an additional language. The nursery opens five days a week during term-time. Sessions run from 08:30-15:30 with children departing and arriving between 12:00 and 13:00. Children

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Information about the setting

may stay for a hot school lunch. Six staff work with the children, five of whom hold early years qualifications and one of whom is working towards suitable child care qualification.

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How good is the Day Care?

Lenham Nursery provides satisfactory care for children. Staff demonstrate a total commitment to their work with the children and are always directly involved in the children's play and support children's needs well. Children are settled, happy and comfortable. Staff are diligent about the children's safety both indoors and outdoors and promote a sound awareness of hygiene. Children understand when and why they need to wash their hands. There is good emphasis on equal opportunities throughout the nursery and careful consideration in made in the planning of activities and programmes for children with

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 extra language needs. The nursery works in effective partnership with parents and they are provided with good information about the nursery and are regularly informed about their child's progress. The majority of the necessary paperwork is in place and the group have agreed to include procedures to be followed if allegations are made against staff.

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What is being done well?

• Children are welcomed appropriately and the majority walk in with confidence and ease. Children that are less settled are comforted and are provided with reassurance until they feel secure in the environment.(standard 3) • Staff work well as a team and behave as good role models for the children. Children's behaviour is generally good and they respond well to the calm and consistent environment which the staff reinforce.(standard 9) • Children have use of a variety of appropriate toys and activities which they can access easily.(standard 5)

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What needs to be improved?

• checks for all staff to be available for inspections;(standard 1) • staffing ratio's maintained at all times;(standard 2) • a system for cleaning of all toys and equipment, to ensure that toys and equipment are always of a suitable condition;(standard 5) • children's independence to be aided by using appropriate equipment at snack time;(standard 5) • procedures to be followed in case allegations are made against staff.(standard 13)

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Outcome of the inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

Std Action Date 2 ensure staff to child ratios are maintained at all times. 30/09/2003

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The Registered Person must take the following actions by the date shown

5 ensure that toys and equipment are clean, well maintained and safe 30/09/2003

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 1 ensure that all checks are available on the premises. 5 ensure children’s independence is fostered appropriately with the use of appropriate equipment at snack time. 13 ensure procedures for allegations made against members of staff are in place.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Lenham Nursery School offers generally good quality nursery education and children are likely to achieve the Early Learning Gaols (ELG's) by the end of the foundation stage. Careful planning helps children make generally good progress. Staff take responsibility for the planning and implementation of the curriculum and the leader oversees this. Staff encourage and extend children's thinking through spontaneous informal discussion. They have a sound knowledge of the ELG's, which enables them to plan a generally good programme, based on children's individual needs. Staff maximise on spontaneous learning opportunities and progress children's thoughts and ideas. However some activities during free play lack a clear purpose. Children are confident in expressing their thoughts, ideas and feelings verbally. There is a variety of appropriate activities available to support their development. However opportunities for children to freely explore a range of natural and living

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How effective is the nursery education?

things and to freely select their own resources occasionally hinders their progress. There are few opportunities for children to record number operations and write for a real purpose. Parents are provided with good information about the nursery and partnerships' with parents are fostered appropriately. Parents are invited to attend three open mornings throughout the year to discuss children's progress. They are also provided with three progress reports throughout the year as well as; informally share information on a daily basis. The responsibility for communicating with parents on a daily basis is shared by the leader and the deputy. The leader makes positive contributions throughout the sessions and offers support and guidance to the staff and children. All necessary documentation is in place and the leader contributes to the creating a calm and balanced environment.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well together, creating a calm, happy environment with clear consolidated boundaries in which children are confident and comfortable and well behaved. • Children are confident and secure learners, they express their thoughts, feelings and ideas well verbally and through their play. • Children's personnel social and emotional development is fostered through the daily routine, which enables the children to feel secure and show good levels of self confidence.

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What needs to be improved?

• children's opportunities to freely explore and investigate a variety of natural and living things. • opportunities for children to learn about every day technology in an appropriate context. •• greater challenges for older children by increasing opportunities for them to freely select their own resources.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The group has made generally good progress since the last inspection. The children now have more challenging climbing activities, which are provided within the daily programme for physical development. Children have an increased opportunity to copy and create mathematical patterns.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in personal, social and emotional development. They confidently express their needs and ideas and relate well to each other and adults. They show good levels of concentration and are able to work well independently and as part of a group.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in communication language and literacy. Children are fluent speakers they successfully engage in conversation and negotiate with one another and adults. Some children are able to write their names and simple words. They develop reading skills as they absorb themselves in books and some children are introduced to a popular reading scheme.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in mathematical development is generally good. Many children can count beyond ten and recognise shapes in their environment and those that they are creating. Most children have a good sense of size and are able to compare quantities of bigger and smaller. There are few opportunities for children to record number operations through practical activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is generally good. Children frequently talk about past and present events in their own lives and learn about the lives of others. They do not have the opportunity to freely explore and investigate a range of natural and living things.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in physical development. Children have regular opportunities to be active both indoors and outdoors. They demonstrate dexterity and agility when using small and large equipment. Children have an awareness of hygiene and know when and why they need to wash their hands.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are making generally good progress in creative development. They express their ideas freely through a good range of activities such as role-play, painting, collage and movement.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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

• provide children with greater opportunities to freely explore and investigate a variety of natural and living things. • increase opportunities for children to learn about every day technology in an appropriate context. • provide greater challenges for older children by increasing opportunities for them to freely select their own resources.

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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 Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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