Sutton-On-Trent Primary and Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 04/11/2004 Inspector Name Joanne Lindsey Caswell

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Abinger Common Nursery Setting Address The Evelyn Hall Abinger Lane, Abinger Common Dorking Surrey RH5 6HZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Abinger Common Nursery

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Abinger Common Nursery Address The Evelyn Hall Abinger Common Dorking Surrey RH5 6HZ

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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

Abinger Common Nursery has been registered since 2000. It operates from within The Evelyn Hall, Abinger Common. An enclosed garden provides an outside play area. The nursery is set in a rural village. A maximum of 26 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday, during term time, from 08:45 to 12:15. There are currently children aged from two to four years on roll. Of these, nine receive funding for nursery education. The nursery is experienced in supporting children with special needs and those who speak English as an additional language. The nursery employs six staff in total. Over half of these, hold a recognised early years qualification. The nursery receives support from Surrey Early Years and Childcare Service (EYCS).

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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 provision for nursery education at Abinger Common Nursery is acceptable and of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff provide a very calm, happy and relaxed environment, enabling children to feel secure and happy and develop a positive attitude towards learning. Staff have a very good understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and this is reflected in their planning records, although there are some minor missing details in the area of Knowledge and Understanding of the World. Staff manage children's behaviour well, using effective strategies. The daily routine is very well-planned, offering a balance of play and adult-initiated activities. The leadership and management of the nursery are very good. There is a clear management structure in place and the committee work in partnership with nursery staff to ensure the smooth running of the group. Staff are committed to making

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How effective is the nursery education?

on-going improvements and show a positive commitment to undertaking further training. The nursery leader is extremely organised and demonstrates a very positive attitude towards high quality and leading a positive and professional team. The partnership with parents is very good. Staff are committed to working together with parents to enhance children's learning. Parents are provided with good amounts of information about nursery topics and activities, enabling parents to contribute any relevant resources and to extend children's learning at home. Provision is in place for parents to discuss their children's progress with staff on a regular basis and staff offer a very friendly, welcoming and relaxed environment for parents.

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What is being done well?

• Children are confident and sociable and show care and concern for others. They are developing good skills in independence and play co-operatively. • Children's mathematical skills are good. They show an understanding of concepts such as number, shape and size and implement these in daily activities. • Children's behaviour is very good. They show courtesy and respect for one another and are developing an understanding of other people's needs. • Children's creative skills are developed through a wide range of practical and fun activities. Children experience art, music and role play on a daily basis. • Staff form close relationships with children and interact with them well, leading to a very relaxed, happy and homely environment.

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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?

• the range of differing cultures and customs incorporated into topic work.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is the first inspection since registration.

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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 very confident and sociable and form good relationships with their peers and staff. They have high self-esteem and behave very well. Children have a clear understanding of staff expectations and they recognise acceptable boundaries. Children are developing good skills in independence and self-care. They have very good social skills and are able to share, take turns and co-operate as a group. Children are developing a caring nature and enjoy looking after the nursery guinea pigs.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children talk confidently and enjoy conversation with staff and contributing towards group discussion. They listen attentively and concentrate well. Children are developing a keen interest in books and stories and are beginning to understand that print carries meaning as they see visual evidence of writing on displays . Children have a good understanding of letters and the alphabet and most children are able to recognise sounds in words. Children's writing skills are developing well.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count confidently to 10 and beyond. They have an awareness of shape and enjoy making simple patterns. Children's understanding of the concepts of number, size, shape and sorting is reinforced in everyday activities and daily routines. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of simple number operations, such as calculation, and these are practised with a very good selection of resources.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy a range of science and nature activities, such as making a wormery, building birdboxes and going on nature walks. They develop an understanding of different modes of transport and different journeys, including those from other countries. Children are introduced to some differing cultures and customs, although this is quite limited . Children have access to a good selection of ICT resources, such as tape recorders, and clearly demonstrate an understanding of how things work.

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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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Provision is in place for children to move in a variety of ways, such as climbing, crawling and balancing, showing good co-ordination. They manoeuvre wheeled toys competently and can negotiate obstacles. Children have a good understanding of how their bodies work and recognise the growth and change from babies to adults. They use a range of tools, such as writing materials, scissors and cutlery and show good dexterity and well-developed manipulative skills.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children express themselves freely through art and craft, music and imaginative play. They use a wide range of resources and undertake creative model making, such as making masks and jewellery and creating papier-mache hot air balloons. Children enjoy regular musical activities and learn a variety of songs and rhymes. They re-enact favourite stories and use dressing up clothes. Good provision is in place for children to experience a range of textures and materials and enjoy sensory play.

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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: • develop and extend children's understanding of differing cultures and customs and ensure these are incorporated into curriculum planning.

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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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