Fieldside First School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 10/03/2004 Inspector Name Vanessa Wood

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name St. Michaels Pre School Setting Address St. Michaels & All Angels Church Hall Church Hill Dartford Kent DA2 7EH

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of St Michaels Pre School

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name St Michaels Pre School Address St Michaels & All Angels Church Hall Church Hill Dartfords Kent DA2 7EH

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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

St Michael's Pre School opened in 1977. It operates from the St Michael's and All Angels Church hall in Wilmington. The pre school serves the local area. There are currently 32 children on roll aged two and half years to five years. This includes six funded three year olds and four funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. One child has special needs and the group supports one child who speaks English as an additional language. The group opens four mornings a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:30 until 12:00. Five full time and one part time member of staff work with the children. Three members of staff have an early years qualification. One member of staff is currently on a training programme. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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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 at St Michael's Pre School is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is good overall. Staff plan practical activities that challenge all children. They ensure the environment is attractive and resources are set out well to encourage children to experiment and use their imagination. Staff are very skilful in using good questioning techniques to motivate children and encourage learning. They use lots of open ended questions and provide resources to build on children's imaginative play. Staff are good role models for children and help children to build warm, trusting relationships. Staff manage behaviour in a positive way giving lots of praise and children's behaviour is generally good. Staff are aware they need to increase their knowledge of the early learning goals and develop recording observations of children's progress. Resources for

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How effective is the nursery education?

information technology is weak and use of the outside play space would benefit the children's physical development. Leadership and management of the group is strong. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities. They work well together and support each other within the team. Staff review their practice and attend courses to up date their knowledge. Partnership with parents is good. Parents are given regular information about the group through newsletters and all information is shared. Parents are encouraged to join the committee and take part in the management of the group.

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What is being done well?

• Staff make good relationships with children and encourage them to develop confidence and self esteem. • Staff provide a stimulating environment which helps promote children's learning. • Partnership with parents is successful. Staff foster good relationships with parents and information is shared. • Leadership of the setting is strong and staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

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What needs to be improved?

• develop the use of observations to record children's progress and ensure this informs future planning

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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 • staff's understanding of the early learning goals • resources for information technology • availability of the outside play space.

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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: Generally Good Children show confidence and are interested in play activities. They are allowed independence during all activities to choose and make decisions for themselves. Staff are consistent and set clear boundaries for behaviour and children in general behave well. Staff help children begin to understand the need for self discipline and consideration for others.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Staff provide good support in assisting children's developing use of language. Children are developing a good understanding of the link between sounds and letters through stories, rhymes and songs. Children recognise their names and more able children are beginning to write their own name. Children are given opportunity to experience writing during every day activities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children's understanding of number is reinforced during practical and social activities. Children are given the opportunity to count by rote and to recognise numbers in group activities. They show a developing understanding of volume and measuring and can recognise and name basic shapes using the appropriate mathematical vocabulary.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Conversations with staff during activities encourage children to understand about the outside world, their families and the community they live in. There are good opportunities to learn about the natural world through themed topics. Children are provided with a range of materials and construction activities which encourage their design and making skills.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children have access to variety of small tools during free play activities and their fine motor skills are developing well. Children have a good sense of space and move around the hall well. Staff make good use of the indoor facilities to ensure children have every opportunity to develop their gross motor skills, although children would benefit from use of the outside play space.

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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: Generally Good Children explore colour and texture using a range of painting and collage techniques which are available on a daily basis. Children are provided with good opportunities within role play to use their imagination to express and communicate ideas. Children learn about music through singing songs and rhymes.

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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 good quality overall. Children are making generally 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: THE KEY ISSUES

• Develop staff's understanding of the early learning goals. • Continue to develop recording observations of children's progress and ensure this is used to inform future planning. • Extend information technology so that all children can experience this media. • Look at ways of developing the outside play space to extend children's physical development.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

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: THE KEY ISSUES

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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