St Vincent's RC (Aided) School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 27/06/2004 Inspector Name Vanessa Wood

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Tiggers Nursery School Setting Address Dunton Green CP School London Road,Dunton Green Sevenoaks Kent TN13 2UR

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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

Tiggers Nursery School opened in 1994. It operates from a mobile classroom in the grounds of Dunton Green Primary School. The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 30 children from two and a half years to five years on roll. This includes 14 funded three year olds and six funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. No children attend with special needs. The group supports one child who has English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times only. Sessions are from 09:00 to 12:00. Three full time members of staff work with the children. three have early years qualifications. The setting receives support from a Teacher from the Early Years Development and Child Care Partnership.

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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?

Tiggers Nursery School is acceptable and is of high quality overall. Children are making very good progress toward the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a good understanding of the foundation stage and plan practical activities that challenge all children. They arrange space imaginatively to encourage the children to make decisions and to be independent. Staff plan well balanced opportunities for children to practise previously acquired skills, and help them to develop new ones. They explain things clearly and use questions that encourage children to think. There is a good balance of adult directed and child initiated activities in all areas. Staff are good role models and help children build warm, trusting relationships with peers and adults. Behaviour is managed in a positive way, with staff giving lots of praise and encouragement, and children's behaviour is good.

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How effective is the nursery education?

The leadership and management of the nursery school is very good. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities within the setting and work well together as a team. Staff are committed to provide a high standard of education and their practice is reviewed on a regular basis. Organisation and deployment of staff is good to ensure children are supported in their play. Staff are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and review their practice regularly and attend courses to up date their knowledge. Partnership with parents is good. Parents are given regular information about the group through newsletters and all information is shared. Parents know their child's key worker and they are regularly invited to discuss their child's progress towards the early learning goals.

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What is being done well?

• Staff use good strategies to promote good behaviour and consideration for others. They give children clear and consistent boundaries and help them understand the impact of unacceptable behaviour on others. • Staff have a good understanding of the foundation stage and the quality of teaching is good. • The curriculum is well planned and provides challenge for all children. Staff promote children's learning by providing good practical activities. There is a good balance of adult directed and child initiated activities. • Partnership with parents is strong. Staff foster a good relationship with parents and all information is shared.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• records of assessments of children's development by expanding on the current records kept • development of the outside play space.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The provision has made very good progress since the last inspection. Planning and teaching is now systematically monitored. Long term and weekly plans are in place and cover the early learning goals. Weekly plans are evaluated to judge their effectiveness in promoting the intended learning and staff are clear about the learning intentions for every activity.

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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 happy, confident and well motivated. They have a positive approach to learning and show good levels of concentration. Children form good relationships with peers and adults. They learn to share resources and ideas and recognise the needs of others. Clear information is given so that children can make choices and be independent learners.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are keen to communicate with staff and speak confidently during group sessions. They listen well to stories and enjoy sharing books with staff. Children recognise their name and more able children can write their name. Children are able to explore opportunities to write for a purpose during every day activities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children can confidently count to ten and beyond. They effectively use and recognise numbers during group sessions and free play. Children show a developing understanding of shape and measuring and can use the correct language. Children are developing an understanding of calculation.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are given good opportunities to learn about different environments and the world they live in. Conversations with staff during activities encourage children to understand about families and the community they live in. Children have good opportunities to experience technology and enjoy using the computer.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Physical development is well planned and organised both indoors and outdoors. Children have use of the school hall and outside playground as well as their own outdoor play space. Large and small play equipment is used imaginatively to encourage children to develop coordination, balance and a sense of space. Children are developing their fine motor skills through the use of a range of tools and construction materials.

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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 explore colour and texture using a range of painting and collage techniques. Children are provided with opportunities within role play to use their imagination and express and communicate their ideas. Children are given very good opportunities to experience music through planned activities with a music teacher and through singing of everyday songs and rhymes.

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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 the following points are for consideration; • expand records of children's development by ensuing assessments clearly show the stage of development the child has reached against the stepping stones and how to progress children's learning. • develop the nursery school's outside play space by providing activities that promote children's learning.

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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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