Guilden Sutton Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/11/2004 Inspector Name Susan, Helen Spencer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Guilden Sutton Private Day Nursery Setting Address A V Wilding Business Park, Guilden Sutton Lane Guilden Sutton Chester Cheshire CH3 7EX

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Anne Stone and Patricia Thornborough Address Guilden Sutton Day Nursery, A V Wilding Business Park Guilden Sutton Lane, Guilden Sutton Chester Cheshire CH3 7EX

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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

Guilden Sutton Day Nursery has been in operation since 1998. It is housed in a purpose built, single storey building on the outskirts of Chester and most of the children attending live locally. The nursery provides out of school clubs in the locality. This gives children continuity when they progress to local primary schools, as some staff work across both types of provision. Inside the building, older children have the use of a large room with access to an outdoor play space that has areas of grass and tarmac. The nursery is registered for 54 children from birth to eight years. It is open each weekday for 51 weeks each year from 7.30 until 18.00. Three and four-year-olds are grouped together in the nursery, with a maximum of 18 children in this age group attending at any time. This group includes 14 funded three-year-olds who attend for a variety of sessions. All of these children have the opportunity to work in the pre-school room in small groups,

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Information about the setting

with a staff member who plans specifically for their needs. Overall, there are seven full time and four part time members of staff who work with funded children and most have relevant childcare qualifications. The deputy manager is responsible for the pre-school room, together with a pre-school coordinator.

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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?

Provision for nursery education at Guilden Sutton Day Nursery is high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff know children well and adapt activities to meet individual needs. Planning and assessment relate to the six areas of learning and staff build on children's knowledge and understanding. However, some activities are not always extended to include writing for different purposes. Staff offer clear explanations and present activities well Good behaviour is evident and children are encouraged to be considerate. The nursery is generally well resourced but too few resources are provided for children's model making. Staff give children a good level of support and there are opportunities to work in small groups during adult led activities. Good use is made of the outdoor area each day but further emphasis on children being made aware of changes in their bodies

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How effective is the nursery education?

when they have been active is being developed. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. There is a consistent, committed staff team who have well defined roles and responsibilities. The setting has clear aims which staff put into practice. Staff meetings are used to monitor provision and identify areas for development. Staff have had support from a teacher adviser and they use the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. Further training around curriculum issues is being initiated. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents are well informed about what their children are learning, and staff talk informally each day to them about their children's progress. Assessment records are shared regularly and parents are helped to support learning at home. Children take work home and share library books with parents.

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What is being done well?

• Children's progress in all areas of learning. •• Children are confident, interested and persevere at tasks. •• Good relationships between staff and children. • Children's behaviour is good and they are encouraged to be considerate. • The very good teaching. Staff know children well and plan to meet their individual needs. • Staff observe children to plan activities that build on children's knowledge and understanding.

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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 • The very good relationships with parents and carers that support children's learning.

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What needs to be improved?

• staff's access to training on foundation stage curriculum to keep them updated • children's awareness of the different purposes of writing.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection. Staff have purchased resources to promote children's mathematical development and they make good use of opportunities to encourage children to count, weigh and measure during practical activities. Children count confidently and explore addition and subtraction during story time and when using blocks, playing games and completing worksheets. Staff support children well and ask questions that make them think. Computer programs also support this area of development.

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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 enthusiastic and confident learners. They are able to concentrate and persevere at tasks. They sit quietly during story time and display excitement during a musical activity. Staff show sensitivity in supporting children and they have fun together. Children are encouraged to be independent and to show consideration for others. Staff use praise and encouragement to motivate children who respond well. Children's behaviour is very good and they cooperate well.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak clearly and they listen well to each other at news time. They enjoy joining in with stories and choosing library books to take home. There are good opportunities for them to recognise their names and they are interested in the labels around the room. Children have many opportunities to write their names but some activities are not always extended to provide opportunities to write for different purposes. They make up their own stories during role play.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count confidently and there are good opportunities for them to recognise numbers and shapes. Practical activities such as baking and pouring their own drinks provide valuable opportunities for weighing and measuring. Staff make good use of opportunities to explore addition and subtraction, through stories and games. Their questions help children to think. There is a good range of resources to support children's mathematical development,including computer programs.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good There are good opportunities for children to explore and investigate objects and living things. Baking and growing activities support this area of learning and children are taken on regular outings to local places of interest. They make models with different materials. Children use a computer confidently. Their understanding of different cultures and beliefs is fostered through a variety of resources and celebrations.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The outdoor area is used daily and there are many resources to develop children's physical skills. Staff set challenges for children, encouraging them to play throwing and catching games and to balance as they walk along ropes. Children display spatial awareness as they use wheeled toys. They are beginning to recognise changes in their bodies when they have been active,and are made aware of the importance of healthy eating. Children handle pencils and cutlery with control.

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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 have been introduced to a range of creative techniques in two and three dimensions and their work is displayed around the nursery. Good provision is made for music with a specialist teacher. Children enjoy learning new songs and performing for parents. They make up stories during role play. Staff provide many valuable experiences to encourage children to express their feelings and ideas. Children enjoy using their senses to learn during tasting activities and listening walks.

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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: • the staff's access to training on foundation stage curriculum to keep them updated • the provision of activities to promote children's understanding of the different ways in which writing can be used to communicate.

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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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