Milland Valley Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 30/06/2004 Inspector Name Lynn Reeves

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Milland Valley Nursery School Setting Address Milland Memorial Hall Iping Road Liphook Hants GU30 7NA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Milland Valley Nursery School Address Milland Memorial Hall Iping Road Liphook West Sussex GU30 7NA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and 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

Milland Valley Nursery School opened in the 1960's and is now a privately owned group. The group runs from a community building and has access to the large hall, committee room, kitchen and 4 toilet facilities. There is a secure outdoor area with some fixed equipment. The nursery is registered to provide care for 26 children aged 2 years to 5 years. There are currently 34 children on roll of whom 9, 4-year-olds and 14, 3-years-olds are in receipt of government funding. The group offers help and support to children with special education needs and those who speak English as an additional language. The nursery offers both sessional and full day care and is open on Monday and Friday from 09.10 until 12.10 and Tuesdays and Thursday from 09.10 until 15.10. There are 8 staff working directly with the children of whom 6 hold child care qualifications and 2 who are currently working towards a qualification. All staff are

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Information about the setting

first aid trained. The setting has close links with local Primary Schools, sharing resources and training and is a member of the West Sussex network Group. Additional activities provided by external specialists include music and French once a week.

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How good is the Day Care?

Milland Valley Nursery offers good quality care for children. The space and resources are organised well and the provision offers a bright, clean and stimulating environment. The children's work and colourful posters are displayed on the walls enabling children to feel settled, secure and welcomed. Staff work well as a team; maintaining high child:adult ratios to ensure the children receive a caring and supportive environment. A good range of policies are in place, although some

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 documentation have the required details missing. Staff take appropriate precautions to keep children safe and most safety procedures are in place. Health and hygiene practices are encouraged; children wash their hands at the appropriate times, such as after toileting and before snacks, although there is a weakness in the food storage. Healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks are provided for the children and snack time is arranged to encourage social development. Staff have a clear understanding of child protection procedures and have experience of working with children who have special educational needs. Staff form good relationships with the children creating a relaxed atmosphere which enables the children to feel secure and happy.

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How good is the Day Care?

A wide range of interesting and stimulating activities are provided, which are well planned to aid the children's progress. Staff incorporate and plan religious festivals into the curriculum to extend children's knowledge of the wider world. Behaviour management is dealt with effectively, staff remain calm and consistent in their methods, they encourage children to share, take turns and show consideration for others. Partnership with parents is effective, staff are helpful, pleasant and approachable and parents receive information through daily discussions, achievement records, termly news letters and clear and informative notice boards.

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What is being done well?

• Staff, space and resources are well organised to meet children's needs. All staff help to plan and organise the activities and the curriculum. • Children's independence is promoted by pouring drinks themselves and using utensils to help develop their fine motor skills. Social development, mathimatical thinking and self-esteem is encouraged through children washing their own cups, accessing tissues and drinking water independently and through counting cups and plates. • Staff provide a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities for the children, they are encouraged to be independent in their play to promote their imagination and creativity. • Staff are good role models, they show sensitivity and remain interested in what the children do and say, use effective questioning and value the children's individuality.

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What needs to be improved?

• the procedures for ensuring food is stored at the appropriate temperature

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the documentation, to ensure the visitors book, fire log book, accident, existing injuries and medication procedures are maintained with the required details.

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 7 Ensure children’s safety by maintaining and storing food at the required temperature. 14 Ensure the visitors book, fire log book, accident, existing injuries and medication procedures are maintained with the required details.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Milland Valley Nursery School is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the Foundation Stage and stepping stones, this is implemented into the daily planning with clearly focused goals. The teaching methods used for 3 and 4-year-olds are effective to ensure the children learn and progress. Good relationships are formed between the staff and the children. Staff value what the children say and do and use effective questioning to make children think. Behaviour management techniques are good; praise and encouragement is used to increase children's confidence and self esteem and children behave well. Staff, space and resources are organised well and the children have opportunities to play independently. The planning and assessments reflect the children abilities and these are used to inform next stages of

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How effective is the nursery education?

planning. The group accept children with special needs and children who speak English as an additional language and there are effective systems in place to support them. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. There is an effective management structure in place. Staff have clear roles and responsibilities. Staff work well together and have clear lines of communication where new ideas and practices are shared, planned and evaluated. The partnership with parents is very good. Good quality information is available for parents detailing the foundation stage and the early learning goals. Parents are kept informed of their child's progress through detailed records and assessments. Parents are given opportunities to contribute towards the children's learning through the rota system, daily discussions and meetings.

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What is being done well?

• Children show initiative and independence in choosing the free play activities, they organise themselves and self-select the resources. • Children form good relationships with their peers and adults, they share, take turns, behave well and are gaining a positive attitude to learning. • Children are developing good communicate skills; most are able to recognise and write their own names using lower and upper case letters, they are given lots of opportunities for incidental writing. • Children are confident to participate in activities without guidance, for example when designing their own work in the messy play area and in the home corner where they use their imagination well. • Behaviour management techniques are good with effective strategies and

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 clear explanations given to the children to ensure they learn what is acceptable. • Staff provide a good range of activities and resources which encourage and challenge the children, for example making pottery, learning about living things and using headphones when listening to stories.

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What needs to be improved?

• increase the opportunities to encourage children to gain an understanding of subtraction and taking away • the documentation to be maintained with the required details.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection children are now provided with a range of dressing-up clothes and resources such as small world people in the home corner to help encourage their use of imagination and familiarity which promotes their confidence.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are developing a positive attitude to learning. They are confident, show initiative and use their imagination well during practical activities. Children co-operate well by sharing, taking turns and show an awareness of others. They work well together and independently. Children are able to sit quietly during group discussion and take instructions; they show good levels of concentration. Children form good relationships with their peers and adults and behave well.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children's spoken language is developing well, they are beginning to link sounds and letters and are developing good communication skills when working in small and large groups. They use language and writing skills to organise their own play. Some children are able to write their own names and all children have opportunities to practice writing skills when labelling work and in the home corner. They enjoy listening to stories and understand that pictures and words have meaning.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have a sound understanding of number and are able to count to 10 and above confidently. They develop their understanding of measurement when pouring drinks, using scales and handling light and heavy objects. Children are beginning to use mathematical language to describe and compare shape such as triangle, rectangle and oblong. Staff extend children's learning of simple addition when counting, although there are few opportunities to extend their learning of subtraction.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children investigate objects and materials and compare similarities, patterns and change through activities such as pottery making, painting and using malleable materials. Children observe and identify natural resources and living things when visiting the local environment. They broaden their understanding of the world through celebrating a range of customs and beliefs. Children have opportunities to use a range of technology and programmable toys to support their learning.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move with confidence and co-ordination during activities such as using the fixed outdoor play equipment. They demonstrate a good spatial awareness and negotiate obstacles well when riding on sit on toys. Children are gaining good manipulative skills by handling a range of tools such as scissors, spatulas and malleable materials. Children handle tools and objects safely and with increasing control. Most children have some ability for self care when visiting the toilet.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children explore and experiment with different textures, materials and media when painting and model making and create well formed designs. Children are confident when participating in activities without guidance and play independently, using their imagination in role play with enthusiasm and excitement. Children explore sound and express their thoughts and feelings through singing simple songs and playing musical instruments. They use their senses during practical activities such as cooking.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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' • Increase the opportunity for children to developing an understanding of subtraction.

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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 Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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