Muskham Preschool

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/01/2005 Inspector Name Beverly Kemp-Russell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name North Muskham Playgroup Setting Address Village Hall Nelson Lane North Muskham Nottinghamshire NG23 6HL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of North Muskham Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name North Muskham Playgroup Address Village Hall Nelson Lane, North Muskham Newark Nottinghamshire NG23 6HL

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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

North Muskham Playgroup opened in 1991. It operates from the Village Hall and the group has access to two large rooms, kitchen and appropriate toilet facilities. The building is shared with other users and does not have outdoor play facilities. A maximum of 26 children may attend the playgroup at any one time. The playgroup is open Tuesday to Friday from 09:00 to 11:30 hours and a lunch club is run from 11:30 to 13:00 hours three sessions a week. The group is open term time only. There are currently 43 children aged 2 and a half to 5 years on roll. Of these children 24 receive funding for nursery education. Children attend from the village and surrounding areas. The nursery currently supports a number of children with special educational needs. The playgroup employs four staff who work directly with children. All of the staff, including the supervisor hold an appropriate early years qualification. The playgroup

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How good is the Day Care?

North Muskham Playgroup provides good care for children. The environment is warm and welcoming. Toys and equipment provide a child orientated environment which helps promote children's all round development. The premises are well maintained and suitable for their purpose. Staffing ratios provide supportive adult care for children to feel safe and secure. There is a record kept to evidence staff awareness of the settings policies and procedures. Documentation is well organised, efficient and ensures the welfare, care and learning of all children. Staff are vigilant about the safety of children, written risk assessments are regularly completed. However, fire drills are not practised frequently enough. Staff hold a first aid certificates and act in children's best interest if they are ill. There is a child protection policy and all staff have sufficient knowledge of child protection procedures. Children with special educational needs are well supported. Good

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How good is the Day Care?

systems including policies and procedures are in place.

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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 Staff provide a good range and balance of activities for children to support their play and learning. There is a stimulating range and balance of activities which help children make progress in all areas of their development. Staff have positive relationships with the children and they encourage co-operative attitudes. Adults within the setting are caring and attentive to the children and show genuine interest in what they say and do. Children's behaviour is managed effectively, using praise and encouragement to promote positive behaviour and self esteem. Staff are good role models and in response children's behaviour is good. The setting has a positive approach towards working with parents and has established regular verbal and written communication. A key worker system

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How good is the Day Care?

supports this. Confidential records are kept in order and have relevant contact details. The playgroup has active links with the local community and primary school.

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What is being done well?

• The range and balance of age/ stage appropriate activities provided for children to support their play and learning. Toys and equipment help to provide a stimulating environment for children. • The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. The environment provides parents and children with a warm and welcoming atmosphere which helps promote children's all round development. • Staff manage children's behaviour effectively, promoting positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. In response children's behaviour is good. • The setting has a positive and constructive approach to working in partnership with parents and carers and ensures they are well informed about the group both written and verbally. An effective key worker system supports this.

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What needs to be improved?

• improve fire safety by carrying out regular drills to ensure that all children and staff take part.

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inspection or 1st April 2004 whichever is later.)

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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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 6 Improve fire safety by carrying out regular fire drills to ensure that all children and staff attending the setting have the opportunity to take part.

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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?

North Muskham Playgroup provides high quality nursery education. Provision is well planned and children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching and staff's knowledge of the early learning goals is very good. They offer appropriate support and guidance to children. Planning provides a suitable framework to help children make progress and is effective and balanced. Staff have very good relationships with children and are aware of their needs. They provide an atmosphere which encourages children to be confident, independent and enjoy learning. Staff are good role models and children's behaviour is very good. Space and resources provide a rich learning environment. Staff use very good questioning to extend learning and challenges for children. Children are encouraged to participate in new activities. However, staff must place more emphasis on the opportunities for children to know about everyday technology.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Children with special needs are well supported and have all the opportunities available for learning. Children's learning is assessed against the stepping stones and early learning goals. Observations are made and very good assessments completed which enable staff to clearly identify what children have achieved and what they need to learn next. The leadership and management are very good. Staff are committed to providing a high quality service for all children. This is supported by an enthusiastic, hands on committee. Staff work well as a team and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery education by sharing information at weekly meetings. The setting has a positive approach to working in partnership with parents and carers. Very good quality written information is provided and staff are available to offer verbal feedback daily. An effective key worker system supports this. Parents are included in their children's learning but a point for consideration is to develop

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What is being done well?

• Staff have a good awareness of the individual needs of the children and have very good relationships with them. They are good role models to children and in response children's behaviour is very good. Children with special educational needs are well supported and included. • Staff's knowledge of the early learning goals is very good and they offer appropriate support and guidance to children. Planning provides a suitable framework to help children to make progress and is effective and balanced.

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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 • The staff are committed to providing a high quality service for all children. This is supported by an enthusiastic, hands on committee. Staff work very well as a team and have a clear understanding of the early learning goals and how effective planning promotes children's learning. Assessment records clearly show progress along the stepping stones and what children need to learn next. • The setting has a positive approach to working in partnership with parents and carers. They are provided with very good quality written information and staff are available to offer verbal feedback daily. An effective key worker system supports this.

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities provided for children to know about the uses of everyday information and communication technology to support their learning • the systems currently in place to include parents in their children's learning and assessment.

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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 confident to initiate their own activities and have opportunities to make choices. They can work in groups or independently and are able to take turns and share. Children understand that there must be rules for some activities to work, for example, team games. Behaviour is well promoted and children are able to sit quietly and listen to stories and each other. Good relationships are in place between staff and children which allow children the security to attempt new activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress towards recognising words. All children are able to recognise their written names and older children are beginning to recognise words in books. More able children are skilled at writing their names and forming letters. They are beginning to extend this to forming words to illustrate displays and younger children are beginning to mark make. Children are skilled at using language to talk and describe ideas and are able to sit quietly and listen to stories.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Younger children are beginning to count reliably to ten whilst more able children are very confident with numbers up to twenty and are progressing beyond. All children show some skill with numeral recognition and are able to either copy numbers or write from memory. Some children are spontaneously adding and subtracting simple numbers to form a correct total, for example, removing objects from a group. Children have very good shape recognition and are beginning to use language for position.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are investigating objects and materials, using all senses. Children are aware of their place within the family and the community and can differentiate between the past, present and future. Festivals are celebrated and children are gaining an awareness of other cultures. Children can operate programmable toys but more emphasis is to be placed on the opportunities provided for children to know about the uses of everyday information and communication technology.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Health and bodily awareness is effectively promoted and hygiene is a part of the children's routine. children have a very good awareness of their own space and can move in safety around the group. Children are able to move in a variety of ways both forwards and backwards and are developing skills in ball throwing and hitting in games such as tennis. A variety of tools can be manipulated by the children such as scissors and screwdrivers.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to sing songs from memory and can match movements to these, they have also had the opportunity to play musical instruments. They are very good at colour recognition and paintings observed showed good copying and interpretive skills. Opportunities have been provided for the children to work in three dimensions and they have experienced a variety of textures and materials. Imagination is well promoted and children enjoy stories and creating their own scenarios.

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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: • place more emphasis on providing opportunities for children to know about the uses of everyday information and communication technology to support their learning • consider how the current systems for including parents in their children's learning and assessment can be developed further.

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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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