Busy Bees Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/03/2005 Inspector Name Joanne Bowman

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Busy Bees Playgroup Setting Address Scout Hall Off Woodlands Road,Allestree Derby Derbyshire DE22 2HE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Jane Bailey and Sharon Batchelor Address Scout Hut, off Woodlands Road Allestree Derby Derbyshire DE22 2HE

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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

Busy Bees Playgroup is one of two playgroups run by Busy Bees. It opened in 1999. It operates from the Annexe to the Scout Headquarters and associated facilities in the Scout Hall, Allestree. A maximum of 18 children may attend at any one time. The playgroup is open from 09:15 until 15:15 during term time only. All children share access to a secure outdoor area. There are currently 39 children from 2 years to under 8 years on roll. Of these 26 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchment area and travel from surrounding villages. The playgroup currently supports one child with special educational needs. The group employs 6 staff. Three of the staff including the managers hold appropriate level three qualifications. Two staff are 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?

Busy Bees Playgroup provides high quality nursery education overall which enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff manage children's behaviour very well and have good relationships with them. There is a good balance of adult directed activities and child initiated play. Children have many opportunities to develop independence through self chosen tasks. Systematic and effective planning and assessment systems are in place, providing a broad balance curriculum over time. Weekly plans provide basic information on activities, but further expansion in this area would enable staff to draw on maximum potential learning and minimise missed opportunities. Focused activities are planned, implemented and evaluated effectively allowing for extension for more able children. Observations are used well to monitor children's development. Children with special educational needs are well supported.

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How effective is the nursery education?

The leadership and management is very good. The managers are consistent in their approaches and show a high regard for improvement of standards within the setting. Rigorous systems are in place to monitor and evaluate teaching. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are provided with good verbal and written information about the activities undertaken. Parents comments are respected regarding their child's individual progress through the stepping stones. Parent questionnaires are routinely used to ensure staff can monitor the level of service given to current families to maintain high standards.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is very well supported, children are confident and enthusiastic and very willing to try new activities. Very good behaviour reflects high expectations form staff. • Children made good use of creative activities. They use their imaginations to express themselves freely within art design and during role-play. • Children's assessment records are detailed and show progression through the curriculum and are used effectively to inform future planning. • Opportunities for children to select their own resources and make their own choices, thus encouraging independence. • Team work is very good. A comprehensive record system, appraisal system and effective communication encourages staff to be motivated and willing to take on board new 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 • planning and recording methods to ensure all activities maximise potential learning within all aspects of the curriculum.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Very good progress has been made since the last inspection. The staff have introduced a number of effective measures to improve weekly planning, uniform children's written records, improve aspects of language and literacy and develop staff's awareness of culture and beliefs, which were raised as key issues in the previous report. Staff have devised clearer short term plans and these are displayed for all staff to see. Regular staff meetings and access to training has updated staff's knowledge leading to a clear more effective system and one which all staff are involved in. Staff also routinely monitor information contained within children's records to ensure they maintain high standards. Activities are evaluated to ensure they monitor effectiveness of the curriculum offered to all children. Children now have more opportunities to practice letter formation with malleable activities as well as through planned or spontaneous mark making activities.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Planning also identifies new vocabulary to be introduced through a topic to increase children's awareness of words and their meaning. Staff have attended training and receive support form the Derby City Early Years Development Officer to ensure they are reflecting a multi cultural society within all aspects of play. Good resources are used effectively and a bank of information stored to use as reference.

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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 eager and enthusiastic. They are very aware of the routine and are able to make clear choices on what they want to do. They enjoy activities and have many opportunities to self-select resources. Behaviour is very good, children acknowledge and respect boundaries. Children access the whole of the environment and are engaged in play for extended periods. Children confidently express thoughts and feelings through play.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children demonstrate good speaking and listening skills, conveying real and imaginary situations well. Children are able verbalise feeling of scared and happy during story sessions. They enjoy story time and want to participate, however staff miss some opportunities to maximise this activity to secure knowledge. Children mark make and write for different purposes frequently. Older children are forming and recognising letters and linking to sounds.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have a good grasp of mathematical concepts such as heavy, light, full empty, big little, small and tall. They have good counting skills and basic shape recognition. Older children recognise numerals to 10 and can count backwards. Children use the computer to pattern match and sequence. Older children are beginning to calculate and use addition and subtraction.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Good planned activities encourage children to develop an understanding about how things grow, outer space and homes that we live in. Children frequently visit the local community to widen their knowledge and relate what they see to what happens at home. The routine is used well to mark the passing of time. Regular junk modelling gives good opportunities to plan design and construct with purpose. Children are developing a good understanding of culture and beliefs.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have frequent opportunities to practice whole body movements. Good use of equipment enhances coordination, balance. Children can adjust speed and change direction and are aware of self and others around them. Children recognise the importance of being healthy and talking about healthy foods, however staff do not always maximise on this to secure understanding. Children have free access to hole punches, scissors and mark making materials, younger children are supported by staff.

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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 have good opportunities to create within art and craft activities and develop their own ideas using recycled materials. Books and photographs are used to enhance their imagination. Children enjoy songs and rhyme and respond with enthusiasm when moving to music. Older children are beginning to tap a rhythm and recognise a simple beat. All children play happily in role-play and become involved in setting the scene.

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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; • continue to develop planning and recording methods to ensure all activities maximise potential learning within all aspects of the curriculum.

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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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