Castle High School and Visual Arts College

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 26/05/2004 Inspector Name Beryl Witheridge

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name White Road Playgroup Committee Setting Address White Road Community Centre White Road Chatham Kent ME4 5UW

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of White Road Playgroup

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name White Road Playgroup Address 75 Gordon Road Chatham Kent ME4 5LU

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ORGANISATION 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

White Road Playgroup opened in 1992. It operates from two rooms in a community centre in Chatham. The playgroup serves the local area. There are currently 73 children from 2 to 4 years on roll. This includes 20 funded 3-year-olds and 32 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with special needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09.00 to 11.30 and 12.15 to 14.45 Monday to Friday. There are nine members of staff working with the children. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or 3. There are two staff who are currently working towards a recognised early years qualification. The setting receives support from the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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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?

White Road Playgroup Committee is acceptable and of good quality overall. The children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals Teaching is generally good. Most staff show a secure knowledge of how children learn and the early learning goals. Staff provide the children with good role models and they have a good relationship with the children. Staff work with children in small groups and allow time for one to one work, especially with children who have English as an additional language and special needs. They provide children with a wide selection of activities, toys and equipment to meet their needs. There is a good record of assessment and evaluation of these activities. Leadership and management is very good. The supervisor and staff know their roles within the pre-school and have good working relationships with each other. They have excellent interaction with the children. The staff are very committed to the care

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How effective is the nursery education?

and development of the children. All staff have a particular role within the pre-school. They are encouraged to undertake training courses, especially ones relevant to their individual roles, which they do whenever possible. The partnership with parents is generally good. Parents are given written information regarding the aims and objectives of the group and an explanation of the early learning goals. Newsletters are sent home at least every term to keep parents up to date with what is happening in the group. Parents feel they are able to talk to staff about their child at any time. Parents find staff friendly and approachable. Parents have to ask to see their child's records and there is no formal opportunity for them to meet with staff to discuss their child's progress. Parents receive a folder containing some of their child's work at the end of each term. A written report is given to parents when their child leaves the nursery.

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What is being done well?

• The children are developing an awareness and understanding of the needs of others. They show a caring attitude and a willingness to help. • Leadership and management is good. Staff are very committed to the learning and development of the children. Children receive good support. • Staff reinforce children's learning by providing them with opportunities to learn new skills, have new experiences but also to build on knowledge they already have. • The Individual Educational Plans for children with special needs are well thought out and shared with parents and other professionals. • Staff work well together as a team supporting each other and the children.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• feedback to parents on how the children are progressing and sharing of the children's records •• children's independence by allowing them to pour their own drinks and spread their own butter and topping on their toast • children's listening skills when working in groups • display children's work and labelling at a lower level where it is accessible to the children • the use of calculation and comparative language.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff were asked to promote the sound of letters with the children and to encourage the children to use their imaginations. The group highlighted the book corner, the children's work books, the alphabet line and phonics is part of the ongoing process of communication language and literacy. They encourage children to use their imagination by asking the children open ended questions and not always giving them all the tools they necessarily need for the job but asking them to think about what is required and how they will use the tools.

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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: Generally Good Children have good self esteem and confidence, they are able to form relationships, take turns and play together in groups. The children have good relationships with staff. Their behaviour is generally good and staff deal with it in a calm, consistent manner. Good behaviour is always praised. Children find it hard to sit and listen, allowing each other the chance to speak. Breakfast is provided but does not allow children to be independent, pour drinks or spread their own toast with butter.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children understand that print carries meaning and show an enjoyment of books. They are able to talk to each other and sing songs confidently. The children are able to recognise some letters and sounds. Four year olds are more able at identifying letters and sounds than most of the three year olds. Some labelling and displays are too high for children to see.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children can count reliably up to ten, some four year olds beyond this. They recognise written numbers. Some children are able to do simple addition and subtraction. The staff provide the children with opportunities to describe shape, size and quantity. They can recreate simple patterns. Staff miss the opportunity during snack time for children to pour and measure own drinks. Children need more opportunities for calculating and using comparative language.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have opportunities to explore, investigate and question about the world they live in. They are able to visit the local area and learn about living things. They keep several animals, an African snail, fish and tadpoles in the pre-school. Children are able to describe the weather and how it makes them feel. There are opportunities for them to look at different festivals, celebrations and cultures and to learn about others.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and move with control and co-ordination, they have a good sense of space. They show great ability and confidence in the use of both large and small equipment. Children have access to a large secure outdoor play area with purpose built equipment which they use well. They can run, jump, climb, balance and move over, under and through the equipment safely. They are able to recognise changes in their bodies when active.

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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: Generally Good Children use their imagination well, especially four year olds in role play. They negotiate and play co-operatively together. Children show an interest and enjoyment in creative activities. They are able to explore media and materials and show a pride in their achievements. There is not enough space on the walls for children's work to be displayed, most displays are well above child height.

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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 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.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• share children's records with the parents and feedback to them on their child's progress • encourage children's listening skills • provide children with more opportunities for calculation and the use of comparative language.

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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.

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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

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