Little Gems Pre-School (West End)

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 09/02/2004 Inspector Name Tonia Chilcott

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Little Gems Pre-School Setting Address West End Youth Facility Moorgreen Recreation Ground, Moorgreen Road Southampton Hampshire SO30 3EG

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Little Gems Preschool opened in 1995. It is registered to care for no more than 26 children under five It operates from West End Youth Facility, in Moorgreen Road. The preschool serves the local area. There are currently 53 children from two to four years on roll. This includes 38 funded three year olds and 10 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. Children with special needs and English as an additional language are supported. The group opens five days a week during school term times . Sessions are from 9:15 until 15:00, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 9:15 until 12:00 on Tuesdays. Six part time staff work with the children. Five have early years qualifications. One member of staff is currently on a training programmes. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYCDP), and the Area SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Coordinator).

p.2

Information about the setting

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

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

Little Gems Preschool provides good quality nursery education, children are making generally good progress towards the early learning goals through a wide range of interesting activities. Children are making very good progress in physical development. Generally good progress is made in all other areas of development.

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

The quality of teaching is generally good. The staff have an understanding of the foundation stage which is used as a basis for the planning. Planning is used to provide a range of interesting activities, although does not clearly identify how children can be progressed further. This sometimes leads to staff missing opportunities to extend children’s learning in some areas and time not always being used effectively. Children with special needs and English as an additional language are supported well. Staff know the children well and offer sensitive and caring support to children, getting to know the children in small key worker groups and assessing their development. Leadership and management is generally good. The preschool benefits from a clear management structure. Staff's training needs are identified at regular appraisal meetings and then appropriate courses are sought for staff to attend. The staff work

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

well together as a team and are keen to develop their provision further. The partnership with parents and carers is generally good. Some parents feel informed about their children's progress towards the early learning goals but the system in place to share information is not entirely effective. They are provided with information about the foundation stage and the preschool's routines and practice. Some parents are aware that they are able to contribute to their child's development records.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Children's physical development is very good. Staff offer a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities to support development in this area. • Children are confident and work well together. They have developed good relationships one another and the staff. • The staff work well together as a strong team, and provide an interesting range of activities that children can access.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for children to develop their writing skills

p.3

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 opportunities for children to further their understanding of simple problem solving • the use of time and staff deployment, ensuring that all elements of the session promote children's learning • the systems for sharing information with parents about their child's progress.

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

The preschool has made generally good progress since the last inspection. Written plans now clearly identify how many children are able to access chosen activities at any one time, and identify times during the session when children will be working within their key worker groups. The information about support services available for children with English as an additional language are displayed clearly and are available to parents and staff to access. Appraisal systems for staff have been introduced and are used to highlight staff's strengths and areas that need developing. The information gained is then used to ensure that staff receive training that is relevant to both them and the setting.

p.4

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

p.4

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good The children are actively involved in their learning. They are confident, and are keen to take part in activities. Children develop good relationships with each other and adults. They have many opportunities to develop their awareness of self care, for example their knowledge of when to have shoes on in the session. Most children behave well although some become distracted, for example at story time.

p.5

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good The children's spoken language is developing well and they are confident and skilled speakers. Some children are able to link sounds to letters, for example c is for cat. The children have some opportunities to read and recognise words for instance in the shop area. Some children are able to write their own names and they have some opportunities to develop this skill in other activities.

p.5

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Many children are able to count with confidence to 10 and beyond. Most are able to recognise and recreate simple patterns. Children do not always have opportunities in everyday activities and routines to practice simple problem solving. They enjoy activities that allow them to weigh and compare size, for example the compare bears.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children enjoy using their senses to explore, for example whilst looking at different vegetables. They use simple information technology equipment with confidence. A wide variety of resources are available to encourage children to learn about cultures and the beliefs of others and the environment in which they live. Children have some opportunities to develop their designing skills.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good The children are confident and competent whilst using tools and materials. They enjoy undertaking physical activities, for instance the opportunities for climbing, jumping and balancing both indoors and out. Children demonstrate a good sense of space and move confidently during these activities.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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

p.5

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good The children enjoy participating in singing sessions and have regular opportunities to explore music and sound, for example with the musical instruments. Children are encouraged to use their imaginations in role-play and have some opportunities to develop their imaginations in art and craft activities.

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• Evaluate the use of time and staff deployment so that all elements of the session, such as snack time and story time, are used to fully support children's learning. • Plan and provide further opportunities in everyday activities, for children to practice writing and to have further opportunities to develop their understanding of number through practical problem solving. • Develop the current system of sharing information with parents, ensuring that parents are informed regularly of their child's progress and to allow them to become further involved in their child's learning.

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7