Stanley House School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 24/02/2005 Inspector Name Josephine Geoghegan

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Step by Step Day Nursery Setting Address Monument Gardens Benden House Lewisham London SE13 6PY

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Step by Step Day Nursery has been registered since 1994 and is privately owned. The nursery is located on the ground floor of the residential block Bendon House in the Ladywell area of Lewisham. The nursery comprises of separate group rooms for children aged under two years and for children aged two to five years, an office and reception area, bathrooms, kitchen and staff area. The nursery also has direct access to communal gardens with fixed play equipment. A maximum of 36 children under five years may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8.00 to 18.00. There are currently 36 children on roll, of these 12 are in receipt of government funding. The nursery serves children of the diverse local community. The nursery currently employs 12 staff members, including the manager and cook. Over 50% of the staff group hold a childcare qualification. Unqualified staff are

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Information about the setting

currently undertaking childcare courses. The nursery receives support from Lewisham Early Years Development and Child Care Partnership (EYDCP) and Lewisham Early-years Advice and Resource Network (LEARN).

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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?

Step by Step Day Nursery provides a warm, friendly atmosphere where children's progress towards the early learning goals is very good in all areas of learning. Staff's knowledge of the early learning goals is very good. Staff provide a broad based curriculum with a good range of practical activities and experiences that provide sufficient challenge to extend children's learning. Staff use their assessments of children's progress to aid future planning and incorporate the needs and interest of the children on a daily basis. Staff make good use of time and the nursery environment, however, they could do more to ensure resources that promote drawing, writing and creative skills are available for children to self select. Teaching methods are structured yet effective and provide a balance of adult led and free-play activities that promote learning in all areas. Staff provide additional curricular activities, such as French and music and movement, within the weekly

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How effective is the nursery education?

routine. Staff work directly with the children supporting their learning well and extending language skills. Staff operate a key worker system and plan the daily focus activity for their key group. They observe and record children's progress and share this information with parents. Behaviour management within the nursery is positive and consistent, as a result children are very well behaved and respond cooperatively to the daily routine. The proprietor and manager work closely together, ensuring leadership and management are effective. All staff are actively involved in planning and evaluating activities and children's assessments. Staff show a commitment to developing the quality of education and good team work. They work cooperatively together throughout the day creating a calm and productive atmosphere. Partnership with parents is very good. They are offered a variety of information about the setting and their child's progress on an ongoing basis.

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What is being done well?

• Children are making very good progress in all areas of learning. They are confident, show interest to learn and enjoy, and benefit from the varied daily routine. • Children's personal, social and emotional development is good. They behave very well, are sociable and have caring relationships with each other and with staff. • Children are provided with a good range of activities aimed at developing their creative skills. Their creative work and drawings are positively valued by staff. • Parents are offered a wide range of information about the setting and kept well informed about their child's progress through parents evenings and

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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 photo displays of children participating in activities. They are encouraged to be involved in events, outings and the life of the nursery. Parents commented that they are happy with the level of care and education.

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What needs to be improved?

• There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: extend opportunities for children to select resources and work independently, especially resources that promote drawing, writing and creative skills.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff have made good progress since the last inspection. They ensure that planning now identifies activities to promote children's large physical development on a daily basis and they have obtained several new items of equipment.

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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's personal, social and emotional development is very good. They are developing skills of independence and are able to make choices and work independently, however, opportunities to select creative and drawing materials are limited. Children sit quietly and concentrate well during circle time and speak confidently, responding appropriately to the group activity. Children show a sense of belonging. They have good relationships, can share, take turns and respond well to the daily routine.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in communication language and literacy is very good. They are developing good writing skills, are able to form recognisable letters and make good attempts at naming and sounding letters. They are developing good reading skills, use books purposefully and enjoy stories, songs/rhymes. They have good opportunities to gain awareness of a story narrative, for example when discussing and drawing pictures about a story. They communicate clearly, expressing their ideas and feelings.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in mathematical development is very good. They are developing good counting and calculating skills and enjoy group activities, songs and rhymes aimed at developing their maths skills. Children can count reliably in excess of ten and have good opportunities to recognise numerals. They are developing good problem solving skills and use mathematical language to compare size and show an awareness of shape and pattern.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is very good. They are able to explore and investigate objects and learn about nature and the environment outside the nursery. They design and construct using a variety of construction and natural materials effectively. Children use resources that promote communication appropriately. They show an awareness of time and discuss past and present events. They learn about cultures and beliefs through planned activities and resources.

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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's progress in physical development is very good. They use a variety of small and large equipment purposefully. They move confidently and show good spatial awareness and coordination while using wheeled toys and participating in action songs. They are supported in developing an awareness of their bodies and good health. Children show good control of hand tools and skilfully use a variety of materials and construction equipment, such as small Lego, large floor puzzles and playdough.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children make very good progress in creative development. They explore using a good range of media and materials such as paint, collage and playdough. They have good opportunities to participate in activities aimed at developing awareness of their senses. They are able to express themselves imaginatively through role play, art and songs. They show a good awareness of shape and colour when creating representational pictures. They enjoy action songs and confidently perform songs from memory.

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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: extend opportunities for children to select resources and work independently, especially resources that promote drawing, writing and creative skills.

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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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