St Joseph's School and Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/03/2005 Inspector Name Susan Riley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name St Joseph's School Setting Address 33 Derby Road Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG1 5FT

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Trustees of St Joseph's School 2625721 1003916

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Trustees of St Joseph's School Address St Joseph's School Derby Rd Nottingham Notts

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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

St Joseph's Independent School opened in 1934. It is located on one of the main roads out of Nottingham city centre. A maximum of 57 children may attend the early years unit at any one time. The school is open each weekday from 08:00 to 18:00 for 48 weeks of the year. Closing for the last 2 weeks in August, and 1 week at Easter and Christmas. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 51 children from 2 ½ to 5 years on roll. Of these 38 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The early years unit currently supports children who speak English as an additional language. The early years unit employs eight staff. Two of the staff hold a teaching qualification and six staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. The early years unit receives supports from the Nottingham City Early Years Development and Childcare

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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?

St Joseph's Early Years Unit provides nursery education that is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. All staff have a very good knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals and how children learn through play. There is effective planning in place in all three areas. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge of children's individual abilities and stages of development. They use the space and the wide range of resources and equipment to extend children's learning and maintain their interest. Relationships between staff and children are very good. Staff have high expectations of behaviour and encourage this positively through praise and encouragement. New assessments systems are in place in nursery three and reception and these are very effective. Plans are in place for nursery two to adopt the same system. The leadership and management of the school are very good. The whole staff team

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How effective is the nursery education?

are very committed to the improvement of the care and education for all children. Very effective systems are in place for the monitoring and evaluating the teaching and children's learning. The staff work very well as a team, and are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities. Staff meetings are held regularly to assess current strengths and weaknesses of the provision and develop ways to constantly enhance practice. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents are provided with good quality information about the setting and curriculum, through displays around the setting, notice boards, prospectus and regular newsletters. Staff provide a welcoming atmosphere for parents and good relationships are in place. There are informal and formal channels of communication to discuss children's progress and concerns, which keeps parents fully informed.

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What is being done well?

• Staff have a clear understanding of the early learning goals and consequently plan activities which engage and maintain children's interest, using space and resources effectively. • Children's behaviour is good; they demonstrate understanding of turn taking. They help with the tidying away of the activities, working together to do this. Children understand the responsibility of being a milk monitor for the session. • Children' s communication, language and literacy skills are very good. The older children are learning to speak French. • Children's mathematical skills are very good; they are provided with activities that are imaginative and enjoyable, which enables children to use and experiment with numbers effectively.

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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 • Staff have a clear understanding of the importance of the partnership with parents and carers, which has a positive impact on children's development and learning.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection in 1999. Parents are now provided with good information about the educational provision within the early years unit, which includes the six areas of learning. This ensures parents are fully aware of what is provided and how children learn. Within nursery two a book area has been made, where children can sit comfortably and browse through the books, or share a book with a friend. This ensures that children can easily access books and learn how to use them. Physical apparatus has been purchased for children to practise, refine and gain confidence with their climbing skills.

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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 interested, excited and motivated to learn. They are confident to try new activities and speak in familiar groups. Children settle at choosen activities and work purposefully, showing good levels of concentration. They are well-behaved, good mannered and are forming good relationships with peers and adults. They are able to work as part of small and large groups, take turns and share. Their personal independence is developing well.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children confident with language, they freely engage in conversations with peers and adults, and make good use of discussion times. Linking of sounds to letters is developing well. Children use books correctly and handle them with care, and they understand that print carries meaning and can recognise their own name. Children respond enthusiastically to songs and rhymes, they listen attentively to stories. Children frequently attempt writing; older more able children can write their own name.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are very confident with numbers, they are able to recognise the numeral and its placement. Children can count reliably to ten and beyond. They are developing mathematical ideas to solve practical problems. Children are very good at simple calculation of one more or one less. They confidently use mathematical language within their play demonstrating understanding. Older children can name three-dimensional shapes.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children investigate objects and materials by using all their senses appropriately. They ask questions about why things happen and how they work. Children select tools and use techniques to shape assemble and join materials. They use information technology to support their learning. Children demonstrate a sense of time and place through practical activities and discussion about their lives. They are beginning to develop an understanding of their own culture and beliefs and those of other people.

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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 move confidently with control, co-ordination and in safety around the setting. They demonstrate an awareness of personal space for themselves and others. Children are aware of the importance of keeping healthy and demonstrate an understanding of good practices with regard to personal hygiene. They use a range of small and large equipment, which develops their small and large muscles. Children handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, taste, touch and feel. They are able to express and communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings by using a range of materials and suitable tools. Children use their imagination in their art and design work and role-play situations. They competently sing songs and rhymes from memory. Children have good opportunities to explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in two and three dimensions.

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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: • to continue with the development of the assessment system in nursery two. 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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