Chittlehampton Church of England Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 05/03/2004 Inspector Name Christine McInally

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Cottis Playgroup Setting Address Methodist Church Hall 42 Cuckfield Road Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9SA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Cottis Playgroup first registered as a privately owned home playgroup in 1971. It re-registered with a new proprietor in 2000, and moved to the adjacent church hall. It operates from the Methodist Church Hall, Hurstpierpoint. Children have access to a activity hall, additional small quiet room and enclosed outdoor play area. It is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.00pm and from 1.00pm to 3.00pm, Monday to Thursday, during term time only. There are currently 37 children on role who attend a variety of sessions, including 26 funded three-year-olds and 5 funded four-year-olds. There are no funded children attending identified as having special educational needs nor any for whom English is an additional language. The children attending are representative of the local community. Including the owner there are seven members of staff, of these five hold recognised child care qualifications, one is undertaking an appropriate qualification and the other has very, good experience

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Information about the setting

of caring for young children. The playgroup receives support from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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How good is the Day Care?

The quality and standard of day care provided by Cottis playgroup is good. The playgroup provides a stimulating, child friendly environment and children are happy and well settled. There is an effective operational plan in place which guides the staff team in their daily practice. There are good safety measures in place and children are safe and extremely well cared for. Staff form warm, caring relationships with the children. They plan and provide an interesting, worthwhile range of topics and activities, children are making good progress in all areas of learning and development. The good resources available are well organised to support children's learning. Children play confidently together and enjoy choosing activities and resources for themselves. Partnership with parents is very good, they are offered a variety of opportunities to be involved in the playgroup and their child's learning. There are formal and informal

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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 systems to share information on children's progress and achievements, ensuring their individual needs are met. All the relevant paperwork is place; the nursery maintains records, policies and procedures well, although one parental consent is missing.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the playgroup agreed to obtain written parental consent to seek necessary emergency medical treatment. This is now included in the registration form ensuring children receive the appropriate medical treatment should the need arise.

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What is being done well?

• Staff know the children well, they spend a lot of time talking and playing with them. Children happily engage in the activities offered and are well motivated to learn. • Children are happy and confident, they enjoy choosing resources for themselves and taking part in activities that build on their interests. • Staff are confident in their management of children's behaviour. Children respond well to the consistent praise and encouragement. They readily take part in activities, help to tidy away resources and are very well behaved. • The good adult to child ratios within the playgroup. Children receive a lot of one-to-one support ensuring their individual needs are well met.

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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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The Registered Person should have regard to the following recommendations

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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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 14 Obtain written parental consent to take photographs of the children.

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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?

The provision for funded education at Cottis Playgroup is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a clear understanding of the stepping stones and the early learning goals and this is reflected in the planning. Staff plan an interesting and stimulating range of activities and understand what children learn from them. They offer good support to children in their chosen activities; they question them effectively encouraging them to think for themselves. Activities are presented in an enthusiastic manner, they are interesting and fun and children are keen to participate. Resources are of good quality and are well organised to support children's learning. The playgroup has an effective assessment system in place which enables staff to record children's progress towards the early learning goals. The information

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How effective is the nursery education?

gathered is used well to plan for the children's next stage in learning. The leadership and management is very good. The owner, who also manages the playgroup, and her deputy understand their differing roles and responsibilities and motivate the staff group well. The staff work well together as a team and are actively encouraged to attend further training. There are formal and informal systems in pace to monitor and evaluate the provision and help ensure continual improvement. Partnership with parents is very good, clear written information on the educational programme is available on the notice board. Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their child's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is given high priority. They are happy, confident and interested in the activities provided. They are developing an awareness of others needs and good self-esteem. • An interesting range of well planned topics and activities which are practical and build on children's interests, help them learn a great deal about the world around them. • Relationships between staff and children are good. Staff question children effectively and give them good support in their chosen activities. Children are well motivated to learn. • Children's communication, language and literacy skills are very well developed. Children are confident speakers, enjoy books and understand that writing can be used for different purposes. They are beginning to write for themselves and generally form letters correctly.

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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 • Photographs of playgroup activities are used to good effect to encourage children to recall and talk about past events.

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What needs to be improved?

• the use of everyday activities to further develop children's awareness of simple number operations, such as adding together and taking away.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The playgroup has made very good progress in addressing the key issue raised at the last inspection. An action plan was drawn up following last inspection and planning has been improved to include all early learning goals and the stepping stones towards them, sufficient emphasis is given to all areas of learning and consequently children are making very good progress in all six areas of learning.

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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 happy, confident and are developing an awareness of their own and others needs. They form good relationships with other children and with adults, they share and take turns well. They enjoy the wide range of activities offered and are developing their own personal independence. They respond well to the enthusiastically presented activities and are well motivated to learn.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers, they listen well at story time and to instructions. They negotiate well in role-play activities and talk confidently about real and imagined experiences, for example as they discuss the tractor pulling the float at the village fair. They are sufficiently encouraged to notice the sounds of letters and rhyme. They attempt to write for themselves and staff give good support to help them form the letters correctly.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count confidently to 10 and beyond. They use comparative language in everyday situations and planned activities for example, as they sort shapes by colour and size. Good opportunities are provided to weigh, measure and compare using a variety of resources such as, sand and water play and baking activities. However, occasionally opportunities are missed to reinforce children's understanding of simple number operations such as adding together and taking away.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good An interesting range of topics allow children to explore and investigate aspects of both the natural and the man made world. For example, as they stroke the cat or visit the local fire station. They have access to a computer and use everyday technology in their play. Photographs are used to good effect to encourage children to talk about past events. They are developing an awareness of their own and other cultures through a range of resources and as they celebrate a variety of festivals.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move with confidence showing a good awareness of space and others, in both the indoor and outdoor space. They are beginning to use a variety of tools and implements with increasing skill for example, as they spread the icing on the biscuits. They enjoy regular music and movement activities. They learn about health and bodily awareness through planned activities and topic work.

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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's learning is well supported by a variety of activities such as role-play, art, music and dance. They enjoy worthwhile opportunities to explore texture and three dimensional space when making collages and creating models. They explore sounds as they sing and play with musical instruments. They are encouraged to use their senses to respond to what they see, hear, touch and taste.

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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: • Further develop the use of everyday activities to continue to increase children's awareness of simple number operations such as, adding together or taking away.

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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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