Temple Learning Academy

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 20/01/2005 Inspector Name Dorcas Elizabeth Forgan

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Woodlands Day Nursery Setting Address Byerly Place Downs Barn Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK14 7QE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Child Base Ltd Address Tickford House Silver Street Newport Pagnell Bucks MK16 0EX

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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

Woodlands Day Nursery is owned and run by Child Base Limited, who have a chain of nurseries in the south of England. Woodlands is a purpose built nursery situated in Downes Barn, Milton Keynes and was opened in 1990. A maximum of 75 children may attend the nursery at any one time. The nursery is open each weekday from 08.00 to 18.00 throughout the year. All children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 90 children under 5 years on roll. Of these, 31 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area. The nursery employs 17 staff. The manager and 9 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. There are 3 staff working towards a qualification

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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?

Woodlands Day Nursery provides high quality nursery education overall, which enables the children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. The plans are comprehensive and ensure the provision of a good range of activities to promote the children's learning. Children's individual needs are met. The children are motivated and challenged through skilful teaching methods, which include effective questioning, discussions and making learning fun. Relationships with the children are very good. The areas available to the group are organised well and look bright and cheerful; imaginative use is made of the resources. Regular observations are made of the children to ensure they are making progress. Good strategies are in place to support children with special educational needs. Leadership and management are very good. The nursery has clear aims and objectives, which they pass onto the staff through training. The manager works

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How effective is the nursery education?

closely with the staff, they have formed a good team. The staff receive support through regular meetings, daily contact and appraisals. Training is available through the company and from the local authority. The staff have several years experience and a sound understanding of the early learning goals. Partnership with parents is very good and contributes to the children's learning. Parents have clear written information about the nursery and the curriculum. They are encouraged to participate in their child's learning. Parents have the opportunity to attend two parents' evenings during the year. The children's development files are always accessible to the parents, but they do not receive a written assessment. Verbal information is exchanged daily.

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What is being done well?

• The children are valued and respected. They are learning about their own cultures and traditions. Each child has a family book with photographs of members of their family. These are easily accessible and can be used whenever the child wishes, to look at on their own or to share and discuss with others. • Staff plan a wide range of interesting activities to help the children learn about the world. For example, children fill balloons with water, some choose to colour the water, and they place these in the freezer and discover the properties of frozen water. They also watch butterflies develop. • Through interesting games and activities, the children become familiar with letters and the sounds they make. They have regular use of various writing materials and practise mark making in many situations, such as shopping lists, letters and recording. They are also becoming very accomplished at

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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 using sign language. • The team of staff work very well together. They compliment each other with a wide range of interests and specialities that they pass onto the children. They are good role models to the children. Behaviour is very good.

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What needs to be improved?

• the further extension of sharing children's develop records so that all parents are kept well informed about their child's development.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection. The company has introduced new ways of assessing the children's abilities. The staff ensure that the children can operate independently and the garden is used extensively. These were issues raised at the last inspection. Development folders are kept for all the funded children. Staff assess the children's learning against the stepping stones and use these to plan what the children will do next. This is not recorded, staff know each of their own key children's needs and ensure that activities are adapted to suit them. All children are making good progress. Children choose which activity they wish to take part in; many resources are freely available to them at any time. They see to their own personal needs whenever possible and staff ensure they support them. They are gaining personal independence. The children use the garden at least twice a day, weather permitting, and they have

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What has improved since the last inspection?

use of a wide range of equipment including a large climbing equipment. Their physical development is well planned.

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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 The children are motivated, confident and well settled. The staff present activities in an attractive and inviting way so that children are eager to participate. Every child is valued; staff praise their achievements so that they are gaining very good self-esteem. The children make choices and are developing their independence skills. They are allowed time to complete tasks to their own satisfaction and concentrate well. They make good relationships with the staff and with their peers.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are eager to communicate both verbally and through sign language with peers and adults, individually and in group situations. Staff listen effectively and help children to do likewise. Children enjoy books and story times; they become involved and like to anticipate what is about to happen. Staff introduce new vocabulary. All children are becoming familiar with letters, the sounds they make and how to write them. Extensive use is made of the wide range of writing resources.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children use mathematical language naturally. They practise counting in many situations. The older children count beyond 10 confidently and they are learning to recognise numerals through games and number lines. The children enjoy solving problems and doing simple calculations during every day activities such as matching the correct numbers of plates to the name cards and chairs. Children recognise and name shapes confidently. They are gaining an understanding of weight, capacity and volume.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Staff use the garden and interesting topics effectively to promote the children’s knowledge of the world. Children grow their own plants such as sunflowers and bulbs and record what they have done. The staff provide exciting experiences for the children to explore. Children have opportunities to use technology, for example the tape recorder and calculators. Children use various resources to design and make constructions; the giant made from junk boxes is a fine example.

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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 The outside area is used well to initiate many kinds of physical activities including climbing, balancing, riding bikes, using large paint brushes and squeegees. Children enjoy the weekly visits of the 'Playmaker', who provides physical activities and challenges. Children have opportunities to develop hand eye co-ordination and to manipulate fine objects. They are learning to dress themselves and about keeping themselves healthy.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Staff provide exciting and interesting media and materials for the children to explore such as a large tray full of 'gloop' with jugs, pots and spoons; they talk about what it feels like. They express themselves imaginatively with many different colours of paint on large pieces of paper. They dance and sing to music on the tape recorder. The role-play area is very popular; it is well resourced and adults intervene to extend the play. The children enjoy drama acting out situations from stories.

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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: • the further extension of sharing children's develop records so that all parents are kept well informed about their child's development.

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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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