Sleaford Methodist Pre-school

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/02/2005 Inspector Name Anne Barnsley

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Sleaford Methodist Playschool Setting Address Methodist Church Northgate Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7EL

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Sleaford Methodist Committee

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Sleaford Methodist Committee Address Sleaford Methodist Church Northgate Sleaford Lincs

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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

Sleaford Methodist Playschool is a committee run provision which has been operating since 1973. The playschool operates from a church hall which is situated in the town centre. The group have the use of a main hall, foyer, kitchen, toilet area and some storage space. There is no outside play area attached to the hall. There is a small car park at the rear for staff and parents. The premises is also used by other community groups when the playschool is not operating. There are currently 46 children on roll. This includes 20 children in receipt of nursery funding for 3-year-olds and 11 children in receipt of funding for 4-year-olds. Two children currently attending have been identified with special needs and no children speak English as an additional language. The provision is open each week day morning from 09:15 until 11:45. Afternoon sessions are held according to demand. The provision operates during school

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Information about the setting

term-time only. The playschool employs ten members of staff. The supervisor, two deputies and four members of staff have completed childcare qualifications. The provision is a member 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?

Sleaford Methodist Playgroup provides a happy environment where children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a good knowledge of the early learning goals and planning successfully covers all areas of learning. Staff evaluate a range of activities around the current topic and extend activities to consolidate children's learning. Additionally staff provide children with a positive level of self initiated play. Staff have a good understanding of the individual needs of the children and interact in a caring and sensitive manner. Observations are made for assessment records although these currently do not always demonstrate which stepping stone each child has reached and how staff have gathered this information. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and encourage this through positive use of praise, good manners and through teaching children to be

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How effective is the nursery education?

considerate and thoughtful. Staff are good role models. Leadership and management of the playgroup is very good. Training is regularly provided for all staff and decided through informal discussion and formal appraisals. Most staff have participated in training and clearly have a commitment towards improving standards of care and education through their personal development. Regular staff meetings take place and all staff contribute ideas for self initiated improvements to the setting. These ideas are recorded and the appropriate action is taken. Comprehensive records are maintained. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are kept well informed about the playgroup and are provided with good quality information about the setting and its provision. Staff provide very good opportunities for parents to discuss their child's progress and be involved with their child's learning.

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What is being done well?

• Staff work well as a team and are good role models for children. • Staff encourage positive behaviour through their use of regular praise and good behaviour management. • Staff have a clear understanding of the importance of effective partnership with parents and provide good information about the setting and good opportunities for parents to discuss their child's progress and participate in their learning. • Children's personal, social and emotional development is very good. Children are confident, sociable and are forming caring relationships with each other and staff. • Staff provide excellent support for children who have special needs.

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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 has improved since the last inspection?

There were four key issues raised at the last inspection. The provision has made very good progress to address these key issues. They have introduced evaluation meetings at the end of each topic to discuss ways of extending and consolidating children's learning. They have bought a range of additional books and a new computer with a variety of software. Children are provided with increased opportunities to compare and to calculate through a range of activities including singing. Additional resources have been made available and staff discuss these elements of learning during general activities in addition to focused learning. Children have daily opportunities to participate in creative activities and to express their own ideas. Resources for physical development are set out to provide variety and these are extended with activities that promote movement and physical expression. Staff plan and provide very good opportunities for children to

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What has improved since the last inspection?

communicate and improve their literacy skills on a daily basis.

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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 happy and settled in the playgroup environment. They are forming good relationships with other each other and with staff. They demonstrate an understanding of right and wrong and are caring towards each other and helpful. Children can negotiate and compromise and are learning the importance of taking turns and sharing. They are confident to make their own choices.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are developing their writing skills and use resources confidently. They are learning to link sounds with letters and can identify their own name. Some children can recognise individual letters of the alphabet and write their name and simple words. Children confidently use spoken language to communicate with others and to express their thoughts clearly. Children listen well to stories and to one speaker and can interpret meaning and carry out instructions.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are beginning to use mathematical language to question, describe, calculate and compare whilst involved in play. They are beginning to use developing mathematical ideas to solve problems. Many children can reliably count beyond ten and are beginning to understand the concept of adding and subtracting.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to have an appreciation of who they are and where they live. They are learning about differences and the importance of respecting these. Children have exposure to nature and cover topics on how things grow, develop or change. Children use technology well and display a natural curiosity to how things work.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are competent at using small tools during creative activities and at meal times. They demonstrate a good awareness of space and can negotiate around objects, change direction and alter speed accordingly. Children are able to pedal and to steer and can run, hop and jump well. They use resources confidently that enable them to climb, balance, crawl through, over or under.

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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 very good opportunities for role play and all children clearly enjoy using the home corner on a frequent basis. Children play co-operatively together and assume imaginary roles that promote good interaction. Children have exposure to a variety of listening music, musical instruments and singing. The opportunities for children to express themselves freely through dance and movement link well to topics and helps consolidate their learning through fun.

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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 were no key issues identified at this inspection although one point for consideration was identified: • ensure that observations for assessment records clearly relate to the stepping stones and demonstrate examples of how staff gathered the information.

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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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