Streatham Wells Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/02/2005 Inspector Name Jean Prince

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Rooftops Nursery Setting Address Priestly House Athlone Steet,Kentish Town London NW5 4LN

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Rooftops Nursery operates from the fourth floor roof of a block of flats. It is situated in an inner-city area of private and local authority housing. It has been privately owned since 1994. The nursery is housed in three spacious rooms which lead out into two separate rooftop areas. Most children have working parents and the nursery provides flexible day care for the children. The nursery opens daily for fifty-one weeks of the year between 8.00am and 6.00pm. There are currently thirty-two children on roll aged between two and five years. These include six three year olds and seven four year olds who are receiving government funding. None of these children have identified special educational needs and three are learning English as an additional language. All eight members of staff work with the funded children. Each member of staff has, or is working towards, a range of early years qualifications. The owner and manager receive good

p.2

Information about the setting

support and advice from advisory staff attached to the local education authority.

p.2

Information about the setting

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

Rooftops Nursery provides high quality nursery education which enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. Provision for personal, social and emotional development is particularly effective resulting in children who are becoming confident independent learners. The quality of the teaching is very good. Staff manage the children well and maintain high expectations of behaviour. They develop good relationships with the children which helps the children to feel secure and valued. They organise the space and resources creatively, which invites the children to explore the learning environment. Staff understand how children learn and provide a good variety of planned learning experiences. Staff are skilled at supporting children's developing language skills and maintain a dialogue with them asking questions which encourage children to think and talk

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

about their learning. They are flexible when interpreting the planning which enables them to provide a good level of support to children who learn at different rates. Staff make careful observations of children's learning, and individual profiles provide a clear picture of children's progress to share with parents. Profile information is discussed and used by staff when planning what children should do next. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. Policies and procedures give clear direction to the staff, resulting in a well-informed collaborative team approach. Staff development is aimed at improving teaching and continual review and monitoring results in a lively positive atmosphere. Partnership with parents and carers is very good. Relationships are very good and parents value the care and education their children receive. They receive comprehensive information about the nursery provision and Foundation Stage and

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

are well-informed about their children's progress.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Staff use very good strategies to achieve high standards of good behaviour. A clear and consistent approach by all staff helps children to develop respect for each other and their environment. • The strong leadership and management gives clear direction to the staff. This results in staff who are all committed to providing and developing high quality learning experiences for the children. • Relationships with parents and carers are very good. Parents are very well-informed of their children's progress. • Staff interact with children very well and give great attention to developing

p.3

What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 language and vocabulary

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• staff training for the completion of the sumative assessment record sheets to give a clear overview of individual progress towards the early learning goals which can be shared with parents

p.4

What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made in addressing all four key issues identified during the last inspection five and a half years ago. Planning is now clear, identifying what children should learn and related to the Stepping Stones and early Learning Goals. Assessment systems have been carefully developed to ensure they are useful and effective and understood by all staff. Staff continue to review assessment and are currently starting summative assessment records which will clarify progress for parents. Staff training has resulted in staff using very effective teaching methods to help children to gain experience of practical mathematical activities and develop their knowledge of sounds, words and letters.

p.4

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

p.4

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children behave very well and staff maintain a calm, positive atmosphere. Staff value children's ideas and thoughts which leads to children having high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Children have excellent relationships with staff and each other. Children treat their environment with respect and are learning effectively about their diverse cultural community.

p.5

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Staff interact with children very well and give great attention to developing language and vocabulary. Children show great interest in letters and make good use of the graphics area. Staff support writing very well, intervening at the appropriate developmental level through naturally occurring opportunities. Good quality books and stories are used well and are readily accessible to children

p.5

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to count in context independently, purposefully and accurately. They benefit from many worthwhile practical opportunities to explore shapes. The good range of resources allows children many opportunities to group and count effectively.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning about cultural diversity as they explore traditions and beliefs of Chinese New Year. They have many worthwhile activities allow which help them to develop design and make skills. Planned and incidental discussions about families and the local environment help children to develop a sense of time and place.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have many good opportunities to develop their large physical skills as they explore the large apparatus in the outside areas. They have access to a variety of experiences in all areas of the nursery which effectively helps them to develop and strengthen their control and manipulation of their fingers. The nursery has recognised commitment to healthy eating and children learn to understand the importance of food in keeping ourselves healthy.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.5

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use the many varied and stimulating activities to develop their creative and imaginative skills. This helps the children to become independent and confident learners. They have very good opportunities to make sense of their world through role play experiences. Staff value children's efforts and provide different materials and resources to support creative experiences.

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.7

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: • provision of staff training for the completion of the sumative assessment record sheets to give a clear overview of individual progress towards the early learning goals which can be shared with parents and carers

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7