Noah's Ark Nursery Group

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 18/10/2004 Inspector Name Julie Youngman (TCCI)

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Noah's Ark Nursery Group Setting Address Bures Village Hall Nayland Road Bures Suffolk CO8 5BX

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Noah's Ark Nursery Group 1022584

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Noah's Ark Nursery Group Address Bures Village Hall Nayland Road Bures Suffolk CO8 5BX

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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

Noah's Ark Nursery group was previously known as Bures Pre-School Play group and opened over 30 years ago. It operates from one large room in the Bures village hall. The provision serves the local area. The group is registered for 26 children aged two to five years. There are currently 31 children from two to five years on roll. This includes funded three and four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. A minority of children have special needs. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:05 until 12:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Five full time staff work with the children. Three have early year qualifications. Two members of staff are currently on a training programme. The setting receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). They are members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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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 for nursery education at Noah's ark Nursery Group is acceptable and of high quality. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. A strength of this group is the organisation and provision of a wide range of rich and stimulating activities that motivate the children to learn. Teaching is very good. The staff have a clear awareness of the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will develop all six areas of learning. They achieve high standards of interaction, asking questions and challenging the children to move on. Children are very motivated and independent learners. The assessment of children's progress is well managed and effective. It tracks the children's progress through the stepping stones. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. Strong, competent leadership is given and staff have clear aims and strategies to support the children's learning. There is a defined management structure which enables the group to plan

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How effective is the nursery education?

strategies for improvement. The management, staff and parents are committed to, and very successful in, raising money to fund new projects that improve the care and education of all the children. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. The 'open-door' policy promotes a relationship of trust and respect between the group and it's parents. Parents are given appropriate information about the learning that goes on in the group and encouraged to be involved. Staff and parents regularly share information about children's progress.

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What is being done well?

• Well organised and effective routines are used for arrival and collection of children that develop confidence and self esteem. Staff act as positive role models and the children are very well behaved. The group provides an environment where children feel secure, valued, confident and independent. • Children speak clearly and confidently as a result of staff's consistent interest and engagement in their play and conversations. • Organisation and planning gives children the opportunity and time to explore and experiment, developing their ideas and extending their learning. • Children are treated as individuals and supported appropriately. Provision for learning personal, social and emotional development is excellent. • Good leadership and management enables the nursery group to plan effectively for future improvement of the care and education it provides. The outside play space is to be fenced and landscaped with money from a local

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• Monitoring of how children use the book corner to ensure it is accessed in free play time. • Monitoring of snack time to ensure that all children are secure and involved in conversation with their peers. • Investigate the possibility of providing a computer.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Good improvements have been made in the provision of resources and activities to promote learning about how things work. This has been successful in giving valuable support to the children in learning about exploration and investigation.

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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 Effective organisation of space and resources encourages children to try all activities and develop independent learning. Children are supported to behave well. They are building good relationships and recognise the importance of friendship. Children confidently express their ideas and have a sense of belonging. Children are secure, confident and well motivated to learn. Snack time is organised to promote interaction between children without adult intervention.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Staff provide many rich opportunities for children to learn how to communicate with each other and adults. Children negotiate, listen and respond to each other in conversation. Reading and writing is fostered well. Children recognise their names and other words. The book corner was not accessed by the children during free play.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are encouraged to talk about mathematics as they play. Staff are competent in planning and delivering activities that encourage children to learn about numbers and calculating. Many excellent resources are on offer that enable the children to learn about shape, space and measure.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to explore and investigate. The tray of natural objects was enjoyed by many children who used their senses to find out about the features of pebbles, leaves, pieces of tree, conkers and bugs. Through well planned practical activities, children are developing skills and acquiring knowledge. Staff respond to children's needs and interests to promote learning about time and place. There is no computer.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Excellent indoor activities offer a range of opportunities for movement. Children move confidently with imagination and growing skills. They competently use a wide range of tools and equipment. The routine allows plenty of time for children to explore, experiment and refine movements and actions.

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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 Many effective opportunities are given for the children to explore colour, texture and space in two and three dimensions. Children were very involved exploring shape and texture, rolling and squeezing the dough and encouraged by the staff. Learning about feelings is effectively supported through stories and role play. Children discussed what an angry face looked like. Many opportunities are given for children to develop their own ideas. They spontaneously dance and keep time to music.

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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 is no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to the following: • monitoring of how children use the book corner to ensure it is accessed in free play time • monitoring of snack time to ensure that all children are secure and involved in conversation with their peers • investigate the possibility of providing a computer 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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