Christchurch Pre-School (Dartford) Ltd

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/12/2004 Inspector Name Beryl Witheridge

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Christchurch Pre-School Setting Address Christchurch Hall Christchurch Road Dartford Kent DA1 2DH

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Christchurch Pre-School (Dartford) Ltd

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Christchurch Pre-School (Dartford) Ltd Address Christchurch Hall Christchurch Road Dartford Kent DA1 2DH

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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

Christ Church Pre-School opened in 2002 and operates from two rooms in a church hall. It is situated in West Dartford. A maximum of 40 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open each weekday from 09.15 to 11.45 Monday to Friday and 13.15 to 15.45 Monday, Thursday and Friday, term time only. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 79 children aged from two to under five years on roll. Of these 69 children receive funding for nursery education. Most children come from a the local area. The pre-school currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs 12 staff. There are seven staff, including the manager who hold appropriate early years qualifications. No staff are working towards a qualification but staff are undertaking short courses and three intend to start a

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Information about the setting

childcare qualification in September 2005.

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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?

Christchurch Pre-school is acceptable and of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. Teaching is very good. Staff have a good knowledge of the Early Learning Goals and the needs of each individual child. Planning includes opportunities to extend the learning of the older and more capable children. They extend children's knowledge by encouraging new skills and building on existing knowledge. Staff work with children in small groups and allow time for one to one work, especially with children who have special needs. Staff use every opportunity to introduce new vocabulary and give explanations of new words or concepts. They are very good at asking open ended questions. Good supporting photographic evidence is provided but this is not always dated. Staff teach the children by example. They encourage the children to move freely between activities and support them in the use of the available

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How effective is the nursery education?

resources. The children are confident and well behaved. Leadership and management is very good. The supervisors and staff know their roles within the pre-school and have good working relationships with each other. They have excellent interaction with the children. The staff are committed to the care and development of the children. Staff are encouraged to undertake training which they do whenever possible. Regular staff meetings are held. The group assesses it's own progress well and is working towards the Kent Kitemark award. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are given written information regarding the ELGs and the proposed activities their children will take part in. Weekly plans are displayed on the parents notice board. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress. Children's records are always available for parents to share with their child's keyworker. Parents surveys are effectively used when the

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What is being done well?

• Staff reinforce children's learning by providing them with opportunities to learn new skills, have new experiences and to build on the knowledge they already have. • The staff teach the children by example, they are good role models. Children know how to behave and understand what is acceptable and what is not. • The children are developing an awareness and understanding of the needs of others. They show a caring attitude and a willingness to help. • Leadership and management is good. Staff work well together and are committed to the learning and development of the children. Children receive good support.

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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 • Partnership with parents is very good. Parents are encouraged to come into the group and take an active interest in their child's progress. Children receive continuity in all areas of their care and learning.

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What needs to be improved?

• children's independence, by encouraging them to write their own names on their work • children's independence, by allowing them to pour their own drinks • the dating of photographic evidence.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The group was asked to develop staff's knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and stepping stones and to use this knowledge to amend the planning and assessment documentation for the group. The group arranged for one member of staff to undertake the foundation stage training, who then cascaded the information back to the rest of the staff. An Early Years adviser was invited in to provide support on how to improve planning and assessment documentation. The group is now much more positive in the use of these. Amend the organisation of sessions so that children are supported in taking full advantage of the learning opportunities presented by all the pre-school's routines and activities. The group has reassessed the weekly plans to encourage the children to take full advantage of the learning opportunities presented so that children and activities can be fully supported by staff.

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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 Staff provide stimulating surroundings and children are motivated to learn. Children have good self esteem and confidence. They are able to form relationships, take turns and play together in groups. The children's behaviour is excellent and they understand the difference between right and wrong. They are independent, have self care, can select toys and work independently.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers with the ability to express themselves clearly. Children are encouraged to read, share and enjoy books. They are able to follow text and predict the stories. Children are able to talk to each other and sing songs confidently. Staff ask the children many open ended questions encouraging them to think about different ideas and concepts. Staff tend to write children's names on their work and need to encourage the children to try to write independently.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children can count reliably up to ten, some four year olds well beyond this. They are able recognise written numbers. Children are starting to use some comparative language. They have opportunities to describe shape, size and quantity. They can design ands recreate patterns. There are missed opportunities during snack time for children to pour and measure own drinks.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have opportunities to explore, investigate and question. Displays are relevant to the children, they are at child height and accessible. Activities are planned which give the children opportunities to explore the world around them and to learn about how others live. They grow seeds and plants. There is good supporting photographic evidence but the photographs are not always dated.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and move with control and co-ordination, they have a good sense of space. They are able to move confidently and safely and follow the safety rules. Children show good ability at handling tools and both large and small equipment competently.

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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 are able to explore media and materials and show a great pride in their achievements. They respond openly and honestly to what they see, hear, touch and feel. Children show an active interest and enjoyment in creative activities. They are able to communicate their ideas and use their imagination well.

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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: • encouraging children's independence through pouring their own drinks and writing their own names on their work.

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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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