Perry Hall Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/03/2005 Inspector Name Margaret Travers

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Halstead Nursery Setting Address Halstead CP School Otford Lane, Halstead Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7EA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Halstead Nursery Address Halstead Primary School Otford Lane, Halstead Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7EA

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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

The Halstead Nursery has been operating since 1983. It operates from a school classroom in Halstead Community Primary School in Halstead, which has been in operation for more than forty years. There are currently 25 children aged from two years to four years on roll. This includes twenty three children three and four year olds who receive nursery education funding. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The Nursery support children with special educational needs. There are no children who speak English as an additional language. The Nursery opens for five days a week during school term time only. Sessions are from 09:10 until 15:00 hours. Six part/full time staff work with the children. Four have early years qualifications and one member of staff is currently on a training programme. The Nursery receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. They are taking part in the Kent Quality Assurance scheme.

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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?

Halstead Nursery provides high-quality nursery education. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff plan a wide range of topics and activities for all areas of learning. These are effective in providing children with very good opportunities to extend their own learning through choice. Staff work closely with children providing good one to one support where appropriate, developing children's own ideas and language. Staff observe children and assess their development well, noting their next steps and individual target points. They are enthusiastic and have good relationships with the children, praising and encouraging efforts and developing good self- esteem. Less experienced staff do not always question children effectively to extend language; this is being monitored. Staff encourage children's creative thinking skills well, although some adult-led craft activities do not

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How effective is the nursery education?

fully encourage this. Good systems are in place to support children with special education needs. Leadership and management are very good. The manager and staff are enthusiastic and show commitment to improving and maintaining the quality of provision. They attend training workshops, share ideas and work as a cohesive team. They evaluate activities and make improvements and change the provision to enhance and maximise learning opportunities. A formal staff appraisal, monitoring and development programme to support all staff with further training is being implemented through working towards the Kent Kitemark award. Partnership with parents is very good. They are welcome to join the management committee and become involved in their children's learning. They are well informed about their children's activities through displayed photographs and newsletters. Parents are invited to attend regular coffee afternoons to discuss their child's

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How effective is the nursery education?

progress but do not have opportunities to add comments to their child's file.

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What is being done well?

• Children are given choice and encouragement to develop their own learning. They have good opportunities to develop and make progress through a large variety of interesting resources covering all aspects of learning. • Adults support children well during their play, following children's own ideas. They praise and encourage achievements and encourage children's confidence and self esteem. • Good relationships exist, and staff are enthusiastic, friendly and caring about the children's needs. Children's behaviour is good and staff encourage them to consider others.

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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 have good opportunities to develop imaginations through well organised role play areas and during outside play in the school play area, using a wide range of resources well.

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What needs to be improved?

• the continued implementation of the staff development, monitoring and appraisal system to ensure all staff question children effectively and extend their ideas and language skills • adult-led craft activities to ensure children's own ideas and representations are encouraged • opportunities for parents to add comments and observations from home to their child's records

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The improvement since the last inspection has been very good. The nursery now use large group circle times effectively to develop language skills, and keep timing of these to an appropriate length to meet children's needs.

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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 choose their own activities, some are displayed and some are available as children ask for them; this works well as children can extend their own ideas and learning. Children are gaining confidence as their efforts are praised and acknowledged by staff who have good relationships with them. Children are becoming increasingly independent, although are not always encouraged to put toys away. There are limited multi cultural dressing up clothes.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children sing and take turns to share their news. They discuss seaweed and the months of the year and play I spy, resulting in their language skills developing well. Children use role play well to make up stories and develop and explain imaginary ideas. They recognise letter sounds and are encouraged to find their name cards. They complete jigsaws and play word games. Children write their names on pictures and practice writing during role play. They enjoy stories and visit the local library.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children play number games and puzzles well. They recognise numbers to nine and play dice games. Children use scales to measure and different sized containers for cooking. They are encouraged to problem solve and recognise shapes as they cut sandwiches into triangles and squares. Children make patterns whilst bead threading and sing a range of well enjoyed number rhymes and songs.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about their world through well planned topics. They sing songs from other countries, learn about the moon and planets, and discuss animals that live in different climates using a world map to find continents. Children use magnets, sand and water trays and melt and re-freeze ice. Their curiosity is developed well. They take nature walks as they visit the local village and artefacts are displayed on an interest table. Children are encouraged to learn through their senses.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use a range of threading, lacing and puzzles well to develop dexterity and small manipulative skills. They use scissors, pens and glue spreaders well. Children are learning about the importance of staying healthy and take part in daily physical opportunities. They climb, balance, use a range of wheeled toys, and take part in obstacle races carrying an egg on a spoon. Children dance and take part in action songs; they are developing good coordination, stamina and balancing skills.

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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 use a variety of craft resources well and design their own models. Some adult-led activities do not always encourage children's own ideas sufficiently. Children are developing very good imaginations when using well organised role play areas, dolls and finger puppets. They make up their own stories and act these out. Children sing well known songs and play percussion instruments to the beat. They freely paint, draw and use different types of play dough and collage materials.

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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: • the continued implementation of the staff development, monitoring and appraisal system to ensure all staff question children effectively and extend their ideas and language skills during routines and craft activities. • the opportunities for parents to add comments and observations from home to their child's records.

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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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