Anston Stones Early Years

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/03/2004 Inspector Name Maralyn Chiverton

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name North & South Anston Pre-School Playgroup Setting Address Welfare Hall Ryton Road,North Anston Sheffield South Yorkshire S25 4DL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

North and South Anston Pre-school playgroup is open to all children living in and around the areas surrounding North and South Anston. The pre-school play group takes place in the Parish Hall at North Anston. The Pre-school environment is on one level and children are cared for in the main hall. A kitchen is available to prepare snacks and toilets are situated off the main play area. Access is available to a small outside grassed play area that has secure boundaries. The Pre-school is registered to offer sessional day care to 24 children aged 2½ - 5 years. The group currently operates Monday through to Friday 9.15am - 11.45 am term time only. At present there are thirty three children on roll The group receives funding for twenty seven 3 year old and five 4 year old children. There are no children with SEN or English as an additional language. There are three members of staff who are all appropriately qualified. They work closely with

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Information about the setting

development workers and support teachers from the Early Years Development and Child care partnership.

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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?

The nursery provision at North and South Anston is of a high quality. Children are making very good progress in all six areas of learning. There is strong emphasis on personal, social and emotional development where some children have already achieved some of their goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a good understanding of the early learning goals and plan around the six areas of learning. Planning effectively takes into account differentiation between learning for three and four year olds to meet their differing needs. Staff work directly with the children, are enthusiastic and supportive and promote good relationships. Staff assess and record children’s progress and use play plans to challenge and extend learning. Leadership and management is very good. They work closely together to support the aims of the nursery. Staffs clear vision of how quality care and education steer the work of the nursery leads to high quality provision. Staff are clear about their

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How effective is the nursery education?

roles and responsibilities and are very committed to improving the care and education for all children. Partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive quality information about the nursery provision.Parents are kept informed about their childrens progress formally and informally and are encouraged to be involved in their child’s learning through spending time in the nursery. Parents are made to feel welcome and are valued as being their child’s first educator.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal social and emotional development is very good, children are confident and happy, have developed good relationships with adults and other children. • Staff work well as a team they are supportive and enthusiastic, they plan a variety of activities and experiences which are evaluated to help children progress toward the early learning goals. • Staff ensure all six areas of learning are covered in planning and children's record books. • Children make very good progress in all other five areas of learning. • Children are confident, competent, independent learners.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • Opportunities for staff to record children’s stories and experiences.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The progress made by the setting is very good. Children are now grouped more effectively. A daily checklist identifies which children are accessing which area /activity, the popularity of the activity to ensure suitable provision is provided for all children. Staff have introduced a wide variety of multi cultural resources, planning includes opportunities for children to develop awareness of other cultures and events.

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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 confident, competent, independent learners. They select from a varied range of resources and activities to enhance their learning. Children relate well to each other and adults and strong relationships are established. Children behave very well, and learn to co-operate with others. They are able to concentrate, learnt to take turns and share.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and engage easily in conversation with each other and adults. Children listen with interest to stories and enjoy telling stories about themselves. They are confident writers and many opportunities are provided for them to attempt writing for a purpose. Children use talk to organise and explore imagined experiences through a vet’s surgery.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children can count reliably to twenty. Children learn about shape and size through practical activities such as compare bears and sorting trays. They use sets to match the correct number to the amount. Children are beginning to show understanding of addition and subtraction and are able to use number in familiar context through role play.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning about their local environment during walks where they photographed features and building around the nursery. Some children are confident in using the computer.They are beginning to develop an awareness and understanding of other cultures. Opportunities are provided for children to construct using a wide variety of materials and tools.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have access to a wide range of equipment for use both indoors and outdoors. Opportunities are provided for children to develop their physical skills through large equipment such as balancing beams, climbing frame as well as a range of small equipment which they handle with control and safety. Children show an understanding of keeping healthy through planned activities.

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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 use opportunities to explore texture, colour and shape, they are beginning to explore sounds through a variety of musical instruments and joining in with familiar songs and rhymes. Children use their imagination well to express themselves through role play activities, telling stories about their own experiences.

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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: • Opportunites need to be provided for staff to record children’s stories and experiences.

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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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