Stoke Lodge Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/10/2004 Inspector Name Charlotte Jenkin

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Jellytots Playgroup Setting Address Brookfield School Cartwright Drive,Shaw Swindon Wiltshire SN5 5SB

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Jellytots Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Jellytots Playgroup Address Brookfield School Cartwright Drive Shaw, Swindon Wiltshire SN5 5SB

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ORGANISATION 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

Jellytots Playgroup is run by a committee of parents and is housed in a modern well-equipped mobile in the grounds of the Primary School. The group has an outdoor area which includes a sensory garden and patio area for physical and other curriculum activities. The playgroup has close links with the primary school. The playgroup is registered for 20 children and accepts children from the age of three until they reach school age. The group accepts funding for three and four-year-olds and there are currently 29 funded three-year-olds on roll. There are two sessions daily, 09.00 until 11.45 and 12.30 until 15.00, each weekday in term time. Children do not attend more than five sessions a week. They are supervised by a part-time staff of five, four of whom have suitable child-care qualifications and the remaining member of staff is currently undertaking training. The group maintains a ratio of one adult to six children. The pre-school serves a

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Information about the setting

residential area which has a stable economy, in Swindon.

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How good is the Day Care?

Jellytots Playgroup provides good quality care for children. Staff have suitable qualifications and attend regular training in the early years. The playgroup has been well organised and staff create a welcoming environment for children and parents with space well utilised into clear learning areas. The garden is well used and offers many learning opportunities for children. Effective staff deployment and high adult:child ratios mean children are well supported during activities. The playgroup has a vast range of toys that cover all areas of development. Staff are committed to ensuring children's safety on a daily basis, and minimise risks to children well. Children are safe and well cared for. Staff promote mainly suitable hygiene practices and attend training to support children with specific medical needs. There are suitable arrangements in place to ensure staff are aware of

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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 children's dietary needs and these are well catered for. Children do not have access to drinking water at all times. Staff have a suitable knowledge of child protection issues, although one procedure is not in place. Staff plan an excellent range of activities that cover all areas of learning and interact very well with the children. They are very aware of children's individual needs and celebrate differences within the group. Staff support children with English as an additional language well. Support for children with special educational needs is very good and staff build on children's strengths at all times. Staff implement the behaviour management policy consistently and are very good role models for children.

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How good is the Day Care?

Staff liaise closely with parents regarding the care of their children and respect their wishes fully. They receive detailed information about the groups policies, routines and curriculum implemented. Parents have formal and informal opportunities to discuss their child's progress and achievements.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the playgroup agreed to send Ofsted a copy of the current liability insurance certificate and seek written agreement from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The playgroup provided Ofsted with a copy of their insurance certificate and this is now displayed on the notice board for parents and visitors to view at all times. Written permission is gained from parents on registration forms for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice and parents are aware of the procedures in the event of an emergency.

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What is being done well?

• Staff plan an excellent range of free play and structured activities that cover all areas of learning. Staff interact very well with the children during activities and respond well to their interests. Children, therefore relate very well to staff and peers and are engaged in purposeful play. • Staff are very aware of children's individual needs and these differences are respected and celebrated within the group. Children for whom English is an additional language are supported well and their language development monitored closely, with parental input. • Support for children with special educational needs is very good. Staff consult with parents at all times, involve them in decision making and build on children's strengths. They set up individual plans with achievable targets, gain advice from outside agencies to ensure consistency of care, and support children's development fully. • Staff are very aware of the group's behaviour management policy and

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What is being done well?

implement this consistently. They use sensitive methods for managing children's behaviour and encourage good behaviour with praise and reward. Staff are very good role models for children and are polite and respectful to

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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 one another and the children. This creates a pleasant environment for children where behaviour is very good. • Staff liaise closely with parents regarding the care of their children and respect their wishes fully. They receive detailed information about the groups policies, routines and curriculum implemented. Parents have formal and informal opportunities to discuss their child's progress and achievements, and photos of their children involved in activities are displayed for parents to see.

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What needs to be improved?

• the accessibility of drinking water to children at all times • the hand-drying arrangements to prevent the spread of infection • the procedures to follow if an allegation of abuse is made against a staff member.

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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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 Ensure hand-drying arrangements prevent the spread of infection. 13 Ensure there is a procedure in place for if an allegation of abuse is made against a staff member.

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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?

Jellytots Playgroup provision of high quality where children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning. Teaching is very good. Staff demonstrate a very good understanding of the early learning goals and interact very well with the children during activities, encouraging their thinking and extending more able children's skills. They display good information about what children can gain from routine activities in each of the areas of learning, supporting this with photos which demonstrate children's achievements. Staff plan a very good range of activities which challenge children well, although the teaching of creative activities is sometimes too adult-directed. Support for children with special needs and for whom English is an additional language is very good. Assessments are clear in showing where children are in their learning. Leadership and management is very good. The manager and committee work

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How effective is the nursery education?

closely together and support staff well, enabling them to access good training and development opportunities and reflect on their practice, identifying areas of strength, as well as weaknesses. The well established staff team communicate well, work closely as a team and share all responsibilities of the group. Long term plans are closely monitored and this is successful in covering all areas of the curriculum and staff discuss areas for improvement, using information gained from training to implement new ideas into the group. Staff demonstrate a commitment to improving the educational provision. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive detailed information regarding the curriculum implemented. They have easy access to activity plans and are kept up to date with the current theme for learning. Parents have both formal and informal opportunities to discus their child's progress and parents are encouraged to be

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How effective is the nursery education?

involved with their child's learning at home. Parents do not currently contribute to assessments.

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What is being done well?

• Children enter the playgroup with confidence, form good relationships with staff and peers and seek out their friends to engage in activities together. • Children have very good opportunities to observe change over time. The outdoor environment is well used and gives children a range of opportunities to grow plants and vegetables, care for them and to see the results of their efforts when harvesting the produce. They are able to eat what they have grown, and then record their observations through drawings. • Staff plan a very good range of activities that challenge children well, engage their interests and help them make very good progress in all six areas of learning.

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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 • Assessments are clear in showing where children are at in their learning. Observations of children at play, examples of work and photos of them engaged in activities are used to create a profile of children's progress throughout their time at playgroup. These are used to inform future planning and move children on to the next stage in their learning. • Parents are encouraged to be involved with their children's learning. They find objects with their children linked to the current 'letter of the week', accompany them on trips in the local environment, and have access to good information on how they can support their child's development at home. • Staff demonstrate a commitment to improving the educational provision and

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What is being done well?

all attend regular training to update their knowledge and skills in the curriculum. Staff meetings are well used to cascade new information to colleagues and to discuss and implement new ideas into the playgroup.

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What needs to be improved?

• children's free expression in art and craft activities • parents contributions to assessments of children's progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Jellytots Playgroup has made very good progress since the last inspection. At the last inspection the playgroup agreed to review and extend the range of activities available, and to introduce musical instruments more frequently, provide more opportunities for purposeful model making and improve children's independent use of books. Secondly they agreed to plan more use of small and large physical equipment to support the ongoing development of children's skills and confidence. Finally they agreed to develop staff's knowledge of the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Children with Special Educational Needs so due regard is given to its guidance and requirements. Staff now plan an excellent range of activities, both structured and free play that cover all areas of learning. Children have regular opportunities to explore and use musical instruments, construct with equipment and with various resources, often with

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What has improved since the last inspection?

a purpose in mind and children show interest in books and freely select them, hold them correctly and look at the pictures. Staff plan a very good range of activities that develop children's physical skills and they make very good progress towards the early learning goal in physical development. These include outdoor activities on large and small equipment, as well as physical sessions indoors, such as music and movement. Support for children with special educational needs is very good. The named SENCo has attended training and staff liaise closely with parents, build on children's strengths and support their development fully.

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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: Very Good Children enter the playgroup with confidence. They form good relationships with staff and peers seeking out their friends to engage in activities together. They speak with confidence in a familiar group about their interests and sit quietly when appropriate, for example registration. Children develop a sense of belonging in the group and are very aware of the routines of the day. They develop good turn taking and sharing skills, show awareness of right and wrong, and behaviour is very good.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children use talk with confidence when talking about past experiences and during activities, talking about what they are doing. They use a widening range of vocabulary and use expression in their voices to stress their meaning to others. Children show interest in books and independently select them and look at the pictures. More able children recognise some familiar words, for example names, days and months and begin to hear and say initial sounds in words. Children freely make marks.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show interest in numbers, select and use number activities, and use numbers spontaneously in their play. They count up to 12 objects with confidence and recognise numerals; more able children making 2 digit numbers. Children use language to describe shape, size, position and quantity. They recreate patterns and sort objects according to similarities. Children begin to use their developing mathematical awareness to solve simple problems.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have very good opportunities to observe change over time. The outdoor environment is well used and gives children a range of opportunities to grow plants and vegetables, care for them and to see the results of their efforts when harvesting the produce. Children show interest in construction materials and select from resources to build and join. More able children complete simple computer programmes with confidence and use the computer to locate information.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move freely and with confidence both indoors and outdoors and show good awareness of space, themselves and others. They move in a range of ways, for example running and jumping. They persevere when attempting new skills such as frog jumps. Children gain awareness of healthy practices with respect to eating and hygiene and engage in various activities that develop their hand to eye co-ordination, for example drawing, threading and cutting. Children develop good balancing skills.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore texture and show interest in what they see, hear, feel and smell. More able children's drawings are developing well and include detail such as faces with features. The children give meaning to these. Children sing familiar songs with enjoyment and explore musical instruments, commenting on how they sound, for example 'like rain'. They enjoy dancing and making actions to music with their bodies. Children use their imagination well in role play and recreate past experiences.

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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 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, however consideration should be given to improving the following: • enhance children's free expression through art and craft activities by ensuring they have opportunities to select and use resources and materials of their choice to represent their own ideas • further develop partnership with parents to encourage parents to contribute to assessments of their children's progress.

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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 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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