The Meadows Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/03/2004 Inspector Name Stacey Sangster

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Meadows Nursery School Setting Address Maryland Brand Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 9PX

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Ronald Cossey and Valerie Cossey Address 9 Brand Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 9PX

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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

The Meadows Nursery opened in 1993 and is one of three nurseries owned by Mr and Mrs Cossey. The nursery is situated in a residential area of Eastbourne it operates from the ground floor of a large detached house, close to the railway station, park and local shops. The premises consist of one large room and conservatory, two smaller rooms, a kitchen for staff use, children's toilets and nappy changing area, an office and staff toilet. The nursery is registered for 36 children aged 2 to 5 years. There are 105 children on the register; of these 51 are funded three years olds and 22 are funded four year olds. Children attend a variety of sessions. The nursery is able to support children who are identified as having special educational needs, but currently have none attending. There are two children attending who speak English as an additional language. There are nine members of staff who work at the setting. Six the staff have

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Information about the setting

qualifications relating to child care and education the remaining three are undertaking relevant courses in early years care and education. The nursery is open for 48 weeks of the year sessions operate from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

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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 nursery education offered by The Meadows Nursery is acceptable and is of high quality. Children make very good progress toward all six of the early learning goals. They show an enthusiasm for learning and readily take part in the wide range of activities devised to support their educational development. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff are skilled at devising activities that help children make progress in all areas of the curriculum; as a result children have access to a wide variety of resources, imaginatively used and organized to support each child's individual style and speed of learning. Staff have a very good understanding of the Foundation Stage. Plans are linked appropriately to the stepping stones. The programme is very well balanced and a variety of actvities are offered to ensure that children's individual learning needs are met. The assessment of children's progress is good and links appropriately to the

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How effective is the nursery education?

stepping stones. Staff seize every opportunity to utilise children's experiences and use them to support whole class learning. The setting is very well lead and managed. Staff feel supported, valued and have opportunities to undertake training on a regular basis. Regular staff meetings are held and all staff are invited to contribute. The recruitment and induction procedure is thorough and well thought out, staff take pride in the part that they play in shaping the educational provision. The setting works very well in partnership with parents; all parents are provided with a range of good quality information intended to keep them informed of their child's progress, ideas are provided to encourage parents to support topic work. Information relating to children's individual specific targets is not always shared with parents. Parents commented positively about the care that their children receive.

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What is being done well?

• The teaching is of a very high quality; imaginative and stimulating activities are provided which are relevant to the children, to their interests and that help them to develop skills that they can put to practical use. • The provision of a wide range of exciting resources used to support all areas of learning. • The provision of a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore, make mistakes, practice their developing skills and voice their opinions and ideas.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the partnership with parents by sharing ideas on how to help children reach individual targets as well as supporting topic work and general progress.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting have further developed the planned programme so as to make more provision for continuity and progression of learning; The nursery expanded the music programme to provide greater scope for imaginative expression and stimulation.

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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 settled and happy. They display high levels of involvement in activities and persevere at tasks. They are happy to approach and talk to others and develop positive relationships within the setting. Children are clear about staff expectations about behaviour, as a result children behave very well, are helpful, kind and considerate to each other. Staff help children to develop skills to enable them to become independent. Children take great pride in their achievements.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers, all take part in circle times to share news and speak to the group. The children question, discuss and explain things with increasing confidence. They use talk in imaginary situations and are descriptive and expressive. Children recognise words that rhyme and predict ends of rhyming sentences. They enjoy books and understand that they contain information. Children are starting to use their phonic knowledge to read and write simple words.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count with confidence and have many opportunities to practice simple calculating. Children are developing a good understanding of weight, length, shape and size. Mathematical resources are plentiful, and used to good effect to develop mathematical understanding. Children are familiar with mathematical language and use it with increasing accuracy.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children investigate objects and materials using all their senses. They show interest in why things happen and how things work, they can competently operate simple equipment. The children build and construct with a wide range of objects, selecting appropriate resources. The children are beginning to differentiate between past and present. They show an interest in the world in which they live and are gaining a good awareness of the cultures and beliefs of others.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children respond enthusiastically to rhythm, music and story by means of gesture and movement. They are able to adjust their speed or change direction to avoid obstacles and negotiate space successfully when running and playing outside. The children show increasing control over clothing and fastenings. They persevere in repeating some actions when developing a new skill and understand that equipment and tools have to be used safely, and use them with care and 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 explore how colours mix, they choose particular colours to use for a purpose and work creatively on a large or small scale. Children show an interest in the way musical instruments sound. They are beginning to build a repertoire of songs which they sometimes sing spontaneously. Children are able to use available resources to create props to support their play. They respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell touch and feel and make well thought out comparisons.

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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 key issues for improvement. The following is a point for consideration. • share information with parents and provide examples to them of how they can support their child at home in working towards a specific target or steeping stone.

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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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