Portland Primary and Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/02/2005 Inspector Name Daphne Jane Brown

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Langshott Ladybirds Setting Address Langshott Infant School Smallfield Road Horley Surrey RH6 9AU

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Langshott Ladybirds 1082942

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Langshott Ladybirds Address Langshott Infant School Smallfield Road Horley Surrey RH6 9AU

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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

Langshott Ladybirds Nursery has been registered since 1999. The single storey pre-fabricated building is situated on the site of Langshott Infant school and is registered for a maximum of 20 children aged two to five years old. There are currently 44 children on roll. There are 20 three-year-olds and 8 four-year-olds who receive education funding. Of these 4 have special education needs. The nursery operates five morning sessions and two afternoon sessions per week during term time only. Children have use of one main room and have access to an enclosed outdoor play area and also the playground and grounds of the school. All staff are qualified and first aid trained.

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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 for nursery education at Langshott Ladybirds Nursery is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a very good knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals. Planning and assessment reflects the children's individual needs and highlights how they differentiate from younger and older children to ensure effective learning takes place. The plans also show how the curriculum can be extended to the outdoors. Staff make very good use of the daily routines, activities, free play and incidental opportunities to extend children's learning. A particular strength is the staff's ability to use effective questioning to encourage children to think, voice their ideas and feelings and extend their vocabulary. There is a good balance of staff led activities and those initiated by the

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How effective is the nursery education?

children. Staff use excellent behaviour management strategies to encourage children to be respectful of their peers and environment in which they live. Leadership and management is very good. Staff work well as a team and clear communication allows them to provide a stimulating, well-balanced programme. The manager is committed to self-assessment in order to further develop the quality of education the nursery provides. There are regular appraisals that identify training needs and staff are actively encouraged to enrol on relevant courses. The manager and staff have built very positive relationships with the school which allows children the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school environment and teachers before they start. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are given comprehensive information about the nursery and the education programme. Children's records are taken home every half term for parents to read and make any comments. Parents are

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How effective is the nursery education?

encouraged to contribute their own observations via an observation box.

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What is being done well?

• The manager's commitment to improving the quality of education by constant self assessment. • The staff's ability to adapt plans to incorporate child initiated activities and link them to the early learning goals. • Staff's questioning encourages children to think and use their imagination. • Children are motivated to learn through activities which are practical and build on children's interests. • Conscientious staff prepare a stimulating environment. •

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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 • There are excellent behaviour management strategies in place to teach children the importance of being respectful and sensitive to others. • Good relationships with the infant school ensure continuity and progression of learning. • The staff welcome parental involvement in their child's learning and provide worthwhile opportunities to share information.

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for older children to begin to hear and say the initial sound in words and know which letters represent some of the sounds.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff have made very good progress toward the points raised at the last Ofsted inspection in November 2000. 1) Provide more opportunities for four-year-old children who are more competent in their physical skills to develop and extend their skills of climbing and balancing. To address this, staff are now able to use the school playground on a daily basis using various climbing apparatus and on a weekly basis have use of the school hall and large indoor P.E. equipment. 2) Provide more regular opportunities for children to use a range of multicultural resources, particularly books and puzzles, to support their early awareness of people of other cultures. To address this, staff have purchased books and puzzles from nursery funds and are regularly accessible to the children on a daily basis.

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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 actively involved in their learning. They are encouraged to select their own resources and as a result children have high levels of concentration. Children show confidence as a result of staff's consistent encouragement and support and are motivated to learn. Children are developing respect for others by the help of the rocket sticker chart entitled 'Good deeds help us to fill our rocket' and 'Our kindness tree'.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak confidently to peers and adults. Staff constantly draw children into conversation and they respond by expressing their ideas and opinions and trying out new vocabulary. Children listen well to stories, observe pictures and respond to questions enthusiastically. Children are able to find their own name cards, however older children have limited opportunities to begin to link sounds to letters and naming and sounding letters of the alphabet. They can freely access writing materials.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children can confidently count to ten and the 'number fairy' who alters the order of the numbers on the line is used well to help children learn the sequence of numbers. Topics and games such as 'The three bears' and 'Hide the teddy' help children understand and use mathematical language such as big, biggest and little. Counting rhymes and topics about shopping are used to develop children's understanding of adding and subtracting.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy using their senses to explore objects in practical activities and from the investigation table. During cooking activities children look and feel how the mixture changes. The woodland walks offer children a stimulating sensory experience as well as learning about plant and wild life. Children are beginning to use ICT equipment such as computer and tape recorder. Children learn about different cultures and beliefs through topic work such as religious festivals and stories.

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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 enjoy many opportunities to move confidently and gain co-ordination in a variety of activities. The spacious grounds and the use of the school hall provides challenge for the older children. Their hand and eye co-ordination is developing well with opportunities to use malleable materials as well as mixing cooking ingredients with their hands and using cooking utensils such as rolling pins and cutters. Topics on animals allow children to move imaginatively to imitate animals.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use their creative skills in free painting and three dimensional model making. They are very much encouraged to create their own and unique picture, card or model rather than copy an adult creation. Children are able to remember tunes and the words to songs. They are provided with a range of activities to stimulate their senses, such as cookery and the use of a 'feely bag'. They act out well known stories during role play with enthusiasm and imagination.

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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: • provide opportunities for older children to begin to hear and say the initial sound in words and know which letters represent some of the sounds.

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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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