The Romsey School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 02/09/2004 Inspector Name Anita Bray

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Little Sunflowers Day Nursery Setting Address Shirley Crescent Beckenham Kent BR3 4AZ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Little Sunflowers Day Nursery opened in 2000 and operates from purpose built premises in the grounds of Marian Vian school in Beckenham. It is a private nursery run independently of the school. The nursery building consists of a main play area with book area to the side, disabled toilet and nappy change area, children's toilets, kitchen facilities, office and staff room area. There is access to secure outdoor play space. The nursery generally serves the local urban area of Beckenham and West Wickham but children attend from a wider catchment area. It is open from Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm for 51 weeks in the year. There are 36 children on the role currently, of whom there are 16 funded 3 year olds and 5 funded 4 year olds. Children may attend for morning or afternoon sessions within the full day. The nursery receives support from the Early Years and Childcare Partnership. The nursery supports children with special educational needs or with English as an

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Information about the setting

additional language. There are 5 qualified staff including the manager. One member of staff is working towards the NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education. The Nursery has its own cook for the lunch time meal. Breakfast and tea are prepared by the staff. The nursery uses the High Scope Nursery Curriculum which they link to the Early Learning Goals of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Swimming lessons are also included by permission of the parent.

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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?

Little Sunflowers Day Nursery provides nursery education which is of very good quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of the Foundation Stage curriculum. Children relate well to staff and enjoy a range of interesting activities that promote their learning. The quality of teaching is very good. The enthusiastic and committed staff team display a sound knowledge of the early learning goals. Through their interactions with children they offer appropriate challenges, they prompt children to explain their ideas and thinking. Planning covers all areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum and includes specific learning outcomes for children. Indoors, a balanced range of activities is on offer and children make very good use of the good quality play materials. However, some further planning is required to ensure provision in the outdoor area is consistent with that offered inside. The daily timetable allows plenty

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How effective is the nursery education?

of time for free play. Staff are flexible in their approach and readily change their planned activities to meet children's needs and interests. The system for assessing children's progress enables staff to effectively identify areas for further learning. Good behaviour is encouraged and valued, staff provide children with excellent role models. There is good provision for children with special needs. Leadership and management of the setting are very good. The manager is actively involved in the daily routine. She is effective in supporting staff and monitoring planning. There is a positive attitude towards continual improvement and development of the educational provision. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive good information about children's learning and nursery activities.

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What is being done well?

• The nursery staff are enthusiastic and committed, they take delight in children's progress. Staff are skilled in supporting children's play and maximise every opportunity to promote learning. • There is a very wide range of good quality play materials available for children to choose from. Toys and equipment are easily accessible to children, who make very good use of all equipment. • The rich learning environment particularly supports children's imaginative play. Staff encourage the free flow of children's role play and are skilful in using this play to promote learning across all six areas of the curriculum. • Children are happy, they relate well to staff and each other. Children have particularly close relationships with their key workers who help to encourage confidence and independence.

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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 • Parents receive good information about children's learning. Staff prepare a detailed evaluation of children's achievements which is shared with parents at regular meetings.

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What needs to be improved?

• provision in the outdoor area which is not consistent with the excellent provision elsewhere.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made very good progress since the last inspection. At the last inspection the key issues for action were to: Develop all staff's knowledge of the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage. Develop effective systems for monitoring the quality of planning and assessment; improve the use of assessment to plan activities to meet the learning needs of children of different ages and stages of development. Improve children's mathematical development by providing more opportunities for them to recognise numerals, solve problems and explore simple calculations through everyday routines and practical activities. All key issues have been addressed. The following improvements have been made: Staff now have a good knowledge of the Foundation Stage which is evident in every aspect of the provision. There are effective systems in place for planning and assessment to meet the learning needs of all children.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Provision for mathematics now ensures children have opportunities to recognise numerals, solve problems and explore simple calculations.

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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 have good relationships with staff; they are secure within the nursery environment and readily help with tasks such as tidying up. Children's behaviour is excellent; they clearly enjoy their time at nursery. Children have good independence skills, the daily timetable allows them plenty of time to concentrate and persist in chosen activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children interact well with adults and peers; they take turns in conversation using speech and actions to express their ideas. Children are able to read and write their own names and display good pencil control. Records indicate that children are starting to recognise letter names and sounds. Children really enjoy books and stories. They are able to manipulate books skilfully and demonstrate an awareness of print.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children display a good awareness of number during free play, they are able to count beyond ten and compare two groups of objects. Records indicate that children are able to name basic shapes and in practical activities, such as making a height chart with staff, they use appropriate comparative language to indicate size.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are eager to examine objects and living things, for example on finding a large spider in the garden they display great excitement and ask lots of questions. Using construction kits children display good design and making skills. Children have a good awareness of time; special songs sung at significant times such as tidying up time help children to cope with the daily routine. Children develop an awareness of different cultures and beliefs through participating in various festivals.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to manipulate a variety of small equipment such as Lego, scissors and pencils with skill. They travel safely around the garden on bikes and a two-wheeled scooter displaying a good awareness of space and speed. Conversations during role-play indicate that children are developing a good awareness of the importance of healthy eating.

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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 take part in role-play with confidence; they make very good use of the dressing-up clothes and other props available to them to act out familiar scenarios. Children enjoy singing and join in with simple familiar songs. A variety of media such as paint, scissors, glue and junk are available for children to explore.

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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: • The following is a point for consideration: • Ensure that planning and provision for the outdoor area is consistent with that offered inside.

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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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