Huntly Lodge PRU

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/04/2004 Inspector Name Martin Gibrill

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Angels Day Nursery & Pre-School Setting Address 217 Blackstock Road London N5 2LL

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Little Angels is a privately owned nursery and was established in 1990. It has use of a covered outside area that is permanently set up for children's use. It is within walking distance of two local parks, to one of which children are sometimes taken. The main room is organised into learning areas. There is also a 'quiet room'. Staff work with the older children in separate groups at different points during the day. The nursery is open from Monday to Fridays, between 08:00 and 18.30, for 49 weeks of the year. The nursery is registered for 72 children aged between 3 months and 5 years. A total of 112 children attend, 65 for full day care and a further 27 on a sessional basis; nursery education funding is received for 29 children. Of these children, 24 are 3-year-olds and 5 are 4-year-olds. No children have been identified as having special educational needs or English as an additional language. There are nineteen members of staff who work with the funded children, of whom

p.2

Information about the setting

the majority are qualified and experienced in childcare. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

p.2

Information about the setting

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

Provision at Little Angels Nursery is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good and sometimes better progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is generally good. Staff plan and prepare well a good variety of activities to engage and motivate the children. Resources are well used and organised and the outside covered area is used to good effect. There are however insufficient opportunities for children to solve practical mathematical problems and develop their understanding of other cultures. Staff develop warm supportive relationships with children and actively encourage them to work both independently and in groups. Staff have a sound understanding of how children learn and they plan rigorously to meet their needs. Their planning is informed by a good system of assessment that enables the staff to finely tune work to the immediate learning needs of individuals and groups of children. Activities for groups are well organised and usually provide

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

appropriate challenges for older or more able children. The system of observation, assessment and recording is good; it charts children's progress in the six areas of learning and evaluates effectively their progress against the stepping stones and early learning goals. The leadership and management of the nursery are very good. The managers and proprietors provide very purposeful leadership and have a good grasp of the strengths and needs of the nursery. A strong collaborative approach is fostered and good work is done to ensure that all staff receives adequate training and positive support. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents can meet with their child's key worker informally and are welcome to sit-in on sessions. Coupled with six monthly detailed reports on their children's progress and parental meetings, good communication and the displaying of staff planning keeps parents well informed on

p.3

What is being done well?

• Relationships between staff and children and their parents and carers are very good. • Children develop self confidence and a strong sense of self esteem; they are well motivated and behaved, enthusiastic and learn well through a wide range of interesting activities. • The quality of teaching is generally good with staff planning very well to meet the learning needs of all children. The teaching of half of the six areas of learning is very good. • The nursery is well organised and the management and leadership is

p.3

What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 purposeful, committed and effective.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the range of opportunities for children to undertake practical mathematical problems • the opportunities for children to develop their understanding of other cultures.

p.4

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

p.4

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's confidence and self-esteem are improving and are well supported by staff interventions that are thoughtful and sensitive. They listen to each other, take turns and play well together. They show good levels of independence and the ability to persevere with tasks. They choose activities and select resources well. They are encouraged to take responsibilty and they help with tidying at snack and other times. Children have less time to develop an understanding of other cultures.

p.5

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children's spoken language is developing well. Older or more able children can negotiate positively and express real and imagined experiences eloquently, sometimes using complex language to do so. They listen and respond to stories, rhymes and songs with eagerness and enthusiasm. They enjoy role play and happily communicate with staff members. Some older children can write their names and form many of the letters correctly.

p.5

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children know and use number in everyday situations. Older children can count up to over twenty with help; many can count reliably up to ten and sometimes beyond without assistance. Older children can do simple calculation such as taking one from a larger number. They understand size and can name geometric shapes such as triangles. Most use mathematical language to descibe position, size and quantity. Sufficient opportunities are not provided for children to solve everyday practical problems.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are gaining increasing knowledge of their bodies, how plants grow and to a lesser extent what conditions benefit the growth of plants. They have a good sense of themselves and how they were as babies. They make models and learn well from the good planning and resources. Good use is made of ICT to extend children's learning in other areas such as music and mathematics, as well their competence on the computer. They have, however, limited access to programmable toys.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move well and with increasing confidence. Their use of the large apparatus and wheeleled toys shows good coordination and balancing skills. They persevere with actions they attempt and give each other adequate space when sharing apparatus. They run and play safely. Many demonstrate sound climbing, jumping and landing skills. They learn to handle small tools, pencils and paint brushes with increasing confidence and control.

p.6

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children take part in a wide range of art work, including trying to paint in different styles and producing computer aided drawings.They have many opportunities to explore shape, colour and texture. A good range of creative activities gives them many opportunities to paint, draw and make their own objects. They enjoy singing; they know many songs and engage in a wide range of musical activities. They use the role play area very imaginatively.

p.6

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

p.6

OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• increase the opportunities for children to solve practical problems in mathematics • provide more opportunities for children to develop their understanding of other cultures.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.7