The Old Vicarage

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/03/2003 Inspector Name Sally Hogg

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Christchurch Hall Playgroup Setting Address Christchurch Hall Hanham South Glos BS15 3AB

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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

Christchurch Preschool is open Monday - Friday from 9.15 - 11.45. There are also afternoon sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12.30 - 3pm. The Pre-school is located close to the St George and Hanham border; the community consists of mainly private housing. Registration is for a maximum of 26 children aged three to five. 4 children may be admitted at age 2 years and 6 months. There are 29 funded three year olds and seven funded four year olds. Several children with special needs attend the group. There are not currently any children attending for whom English is an additional language. There are two joint leaders who are both qualified to NVQ level 3 standard. Another member of staff is currently training to the same level. There are two assistants and parents volunteer to help with sessions. The group has received EYDCP teacher support. The management committee consists of parents of children who attend the Preschool.

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How effective is the nursery education?

The Children at Christchurch Hall Playgroup are making very good progress towards all the early learning goals. The teaching is also very good. All staff have a good understanding of the early learning goals. Assessments of individual children's progress are used to inform planning for learning. Activities are adapted to challenge four year olds and more able children. Planned activities relate to several early learning goals rather than just one; maths was brought into all activities. Children relate well to staff and look for praise for achievements. The group works successfully with children with special needs to ensure they have the help they need. One point for consideration is that children could be given more opportunities to use maths to problem solve. The leadership and management of the group is also very good. The system of assessment works well and planning is based on assessment of individual children as well as the needs of the group as a whole. The

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How effective is the nursery education?

Leaders have a good understanding of the early learning goals and have passed this on to staff; who are clear about the purpose of activities and how they relate to Early learning goals. The group is well organised; in their recent Children Act inspection only one action was required to ensure they met the National Standards. This has now been completed. The Group has a very good relationship with parents, those spoken to by the inspector were all very happy with the Playgroup and their children's progress. Information is provided for parents about the group's policies and procedures and the aims of the teaching. In turn staff seek Information from parents about their child's needs and abilities. Parents are happy with level of information provided about early learning goals and their child's progress.

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What is being done well?

Children's personal, social and emotional development is very good. They are confident, enthusiastic and their behaviour is excellent. They listen to instructions and do as staff ask. Children are able to share and to work together co-operatively; for example in constructing a boat with large Lego type bricks and a castle with smaller wooden ones. Children make good use of the book corner and enjoy 'reading' and being read to by staff. Children are developing good listening skills; for example listening to a tape of various noises and trying to identify them. They also listen well to stories and to a demonstration of how different materials behave in water; sinking or floating. Children are encouraged to develop small and large motor skills. Staff ensure that outside playtime is used to develop different types of motor skills. Children are able to practice throwing in different ways with balls, quoits and

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What is being done well?

sandbags and throwing them to people, into bowls or over cones. Sessions are well planned and children are very interested throughout. Planning is based on assessments of children's needs and progress and is designed to help them achieve the early learning goals. Children's learning of numbers, colours and shapes was constantly reinforced in a natural way. Children were encouraged to identify shapes in both two and three dimensions and to recognise them in the environment; for example in clocks, doors and windows. Good support is given to several children with special needs. Staff have learned Makaton and taught all the children to sign 'good morning' each day.

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What needs to be improved?

A point for consideration is that more opportunities could be given for children to use maths to solve problems and to use all their senses to discover and explore the environment.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

All the key issues identified at the last inspection have been tackled and none of them caused concern at this inspection. There has been a complete change of staff and committee since then and progress has been made in all the areas identified in the last report. Planning is now focussed on the early learning goals, especially communication language and literacy and mathematical development. The group also provides more extended learning opportunities for children. A new assessment system is now in place and working well The new Leaders and Committee work together and involve staff in prioritising training/development needs. Staff have training and development plans which are regularly updated.

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in personal social and emotional development. They are enthusiastic and confident and they enter into activities with real enjoyment. Children's behaviour is excellent. Children have good listening skills and concentrate well; both on stories and when given instructions. Children are learning to share and are able to work together on joint projects.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Progress in communication, language and literacy is very good. Children show interest in books and are encouraged to use the book corner throughout the session. Children assemble simple jigsaws and then enjoy narrating the story shown in the pictures. Some children are able to ascribe meaning to marks and some can write their names.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's mathematical development is very good. They are given many opportunities to count and become familiar with numbers. The theme for this term was shapes and children had a good recognition of them in both two and three dimensions. Children could be given more opportunities to use maths to solve day to day problems.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is very good. They are able to explore concepts - heavy/light empty/full and float/sink in a practical and meaningful way. Children have regular opportunities to use the computer - developing manipulative and concentration skills.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in physical development was very good. They are building up small motor skills in threading, cutting, painting and rolling. They are able to develop construction skills on a small and large scale with different types of bricks. Staff actively encourage learning of motor skills during outside playtime. A point to consider is that there are no opportunities for climbing except in the summer months when the climing frame is out.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's progress in creative development is very good. They enjoy singing and matching actions to words. Children have a very good ability to recognise and name colours. A point to consider was that children had limited opportunities to use all their senses rather than just hearing and vision.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately: Y

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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 consideration should be given to improving the opportunities for children to use maths to solve problems and to use all their senses to explore their environment.

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