Post House Nursery Ltd

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/04/2004 Inspector Name Diana Pidgeon

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Post House Nursery Setting Address Post House Nursery 15 High Street, Brimington Chesterfield Derbyshire S43 1DE

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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

Post House Nursery opened in 1996. It is privately owned and operates from a Grade II listed building in the centre of Brimington, a Derbyshire village close to Chesterfield. Children attend from the local community and wider geographical area. There are currently 63 children aged between 3 months and 5 years on roll. This includes 22 funded 3-year-olds and 4 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and has suitable systems in place to support children who speak English as an additional language. The setting is open every weekday, except Bank Holidays, from 08:00 to 18:00. A total of thirteen staff work with the children. All have early years qualifications. The staff group is supported by the owner and a cook. The nursery receives support from an advisory teacher from the Derbyshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). The owner and manager

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Information about the setting

are actively involved with the EYDCP and the National Day Nursery Association.

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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?

Post House Nursery provides high quality nursery education for children. Effective teaching ensures children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. An interesting, well-planned programme of activities is offered which successfully promotes all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Positive relationships between staff and children create a happy learning environment. Staff skilfully manage children's behaviour and promote this through praise and encouragement. Staff show a secure understanding of the early learning goals and demonstrate this through the effectiveness of the planning and ensuring this meets the needs of all children. Assessment procedures are effective in ensuring individual children are given appropriate challenges. There is an inclusive approach to children with special educational needs and staff are effective in supporting all children to fully participate

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How effective is the nursery education?

in the nursery day. Staff use the space and extensive range of resources creatively to support children's learning and to maintain their interest and enthusiasm. The leadership and management of the nursery is very good. Staff are supported through effective day to day management and clear leadership from the owner and nursery manager. High priority is given to staff development through a commitment to on-going training. Effective monitoring systems are in place which allows the nursery to evaluate it's own performance and enhance practice. The nursery shows a commitment to continued improvement and staff show enthusiasm for their work. The partnership with parents is very good and contributes to the progress children make. Staff are very welcoming to parents and encourage them to be involved in their child's learning. Parents are provided with good quality information about the nursery and the curriculum. Parents' evenings are held to share information about

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How effective is the nursery education?

children's achievements and to plan for their next steps in learning.

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What is being done well?

• Children are highly motivated to learn and are developing good levels of concentration and observation. They demonstrate this through their persistent efforts to retrieve treasure from a block of ice, trying a variety of ways until they succeed. Children find spiders in the garden and notice small details in pictures. • Effective use of the nursery garden provides a wealth of opportunities for children to explore, investigate and play physically. Children learn a lot about the natural world as they excitedly seek minibeasts, carefully observe insects, follow the life cycle of frogs and examine the plants. • Staff are highly motivated and have a secure knowledge and understanding of how children learn effectively. They plan interesting first-hand experiences

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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 for the children which stimulate their curiosity and encourage practical learning. Staff know the children very well and every opportunity is taken to extend individual children's knowledge appropriately. • The partnership with parents is very good and recognises parents' valuable contribution to their child's learning. The nursery has good formal and informal systems in place to discuss children's progress on a regular basis. Parents are well informed about the current topics studied in the nursery and are given suggestions how this can be extended at home.

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for children to operate modern technology and programmable toys, in line with the rapid advances being made.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Since the last inspection in 2000, the nursery has developed the programme for language and literacy and mathematics to suitably extend the older and more able children. As a consequence children now have an abundance of opportunities to write, record numbers and calculate within many daily activities. This ensures the older and most able children are suitably challenged and their learning extended. Parents are now able to share observations of their child's learning at home through formal and informal meetings to discuss their child's progress. They have regular opportunities to discuss their child's recent achievements and to agree their next steps in learning with the staff.

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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, curious and motivated to learn. They are keen to engage with adults and are able to work co-operatively in groups. Children behave well and understand what is expected of them. They accept and respect the needs of others, share and take turns. Many children concentrate very well when absorbed in activities. Children demonstrate good independence skills such as spreading their own toast and fastening coats.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children's language skills are developing well. Most initiate conversations with peers and adults, and use language to express their needs and ideas. All children enjoy stories, such as "Handa's Surprise", listening carefully and observing detail in the pictures. They recognise their names. Older children link sounds to letters. Children are confident mark makers and most are beginning to form letters and write their names.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good All children show an interest in numbers and counting. They join in number rhymes enthusiastically. Most can count and recognise numbers up to six as they play games. Many count beyond in practical activities. Their calculating skills are developing well through everyday experiences. Practical opportunities, such as handling fruits show their understanding of shape, size and weight. Children observe patterns when making fruit kebabs.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children explore, observe and make decisions through a wealth of planned activities such as tasting different fruits, retrieving treasure from large blocks of ice and following the life cycle of frogs. Children competently build with a wide range of construction materials and confidently use the nursery computer. They are developing a good sense of time and place as they talk about significant events in their lives. Planned topics help children to learn about their own and other cultures.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good All children enjoy physical activity and move confidently when using a range of large equipment. Their balancing, climbing and throwing skills are developing well. They have a good sense of space and are able to move safely outdoors or in movement and dance sessions indoors. Children are learning to use small tools such as scissors, knives and glue spreaders, safely and with increasing 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 are expressive and communicate their ideas through pictures, stories and role-play. They recognise and name colours, carefully selecting those needed to project their ideas. Children know a range of songs and action rhymes and are keen participators in " Five Cheeky Monkeys". Children play imaginatively outdoors, using cardboard boxes creatively to enhance their games. Regular planned sessions help children appreciate different kinds of music and play simple instruments.

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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: • continue to extend children's opportunities to see and use modern technology in the light of new advances being made.

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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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