Robin Hood Junior School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 03/12/2003 Inspector Name Nicola Jayne Pascoe

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Hayle Montessori Nursery Setting Address 6 Chapel Hill Hayle Cornwall TR27 4JU

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and 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

Hayle Montessori Nursery is a well-established, privately owned pre-school. It operates from two rooms, in Hayle Methodist Church, close to the centre of the town. The pre-school serves the surrounding towns and villages. There are currently 22 children on roll. This includes 15 funded 3 year olds and no funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are currently no children with special needs or who speak English as an additional language attending the setting. The pre-school operates from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 09:15 until 11:50 Four part-time staff work with the children. All hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting receives support of a qualified teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare partnership (EYDCP).

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How good is the Day Care?

Hayle Montessori Nursery provides good standards of care for children. Staff are suitably qualified and experienced. They provide high levels of support and interaction. The environment is bright, child-centred and welcoming. Staff provide a sufficient range of toys, furniture and equipment, which are checked daily. Children are able to access toys and resources freely. Staff have recently reviewed all policies and procedures and further developed their operational plan. Documents are updated regularly, stored securely and shared appropriately with parents. Staff have good procedures in place to ensure that children are safe and secure. There are suitable procedures for the administration of medication and recording of accidents. Hand washing practice is unhygienic and there are no hot water facilities in the children's toilets. The large hall is not maintained at a suitable temperature. Children are able to freely access drinks and snacks as required. Staff are

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How good is the Day Care?

committed to offering appropriate support to children with special needs. Staff are confident in their ability to identify, record and report child protection concerns appropriately.

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Children enjoy a wide and balanced range of interesting, worthwhile and enjoyable activities. They are confident to explore, investigate and experiment. They relate well to others, are interested and involved in their play. There are good opportunities for children to develop an awareness of peoples cultural, religious and physical differences and an understanding of the wider world. The setting provides good levels of information for parents and they share information through a variety of suitable methods. Information from parents is recorded and used effectively.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the actions required to be met, related to the revision of the child protection policy, equal opportunities policy and the inclusion of the address and telephone number of the regulator in the complaints procedure. The recording of times of arrival and departure of staff, children and visitors. To ensure that kitchen and toilet facilities are suitable for safe use. To make drinking water available at all times, ensure that low level glass is safe and ensure that fire certificates are available for inspection. Most of the actions have been satisfactorily addressed. However, the toilet facilities are not suitable for the original registration for 24 children. The setting has agreed to reduce their registration to 20 children, for which suitable toilet facilities are available.

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What is being done well?

• Staff organize the environment well in order to provide suitable areas for children to enjoy a range of interesting and worthwhile activities. Staff provide high levels of support and interaction. There are suitable procedures for staff induction and an effective system to deputise. • Staff provide a sufficient range of toys, furniture and equipment, which are checked daily by staff. Children are able to access toys and resources freely. Activities provide sufficient challenge for all children, whose individual needs are well met. • Staff are good role models. They use positive and age appropriate methods of behaviour management. They offer good levels of praise and encouragement and are rewarded by high standards of behaviour. • Staff have recently reviewed all policies and procedures and further developed their operational plan. Documents are updated regularly, stored securely and shared appropriately with parents. Confidentiality is maintained.

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What needs to be improved?

• the area for nappy changing and occasional use for rest or sick children. • the temperature of the large hall.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • the hand washing facilities for all children.

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 4 ensure that a suitable temperature is maintained in the large hall. 6 Provide safe and suitable area for nappy changing and occasional use for rest or sick children. 7 Provide hygienic hand washing facilities for all children.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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How effective is the nursery education?

Hayle Montessori Nursery offers high quality nursery education. Children are making very good progress in personal, social and emotional development, mathematics, knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development. They make generally good progress in communication, language and literacy and creative development. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff make effective use of their experience of how children learn and their knowledge of the stepping stones to plan an interesting range of activities to enable children to make good progress. They work directly with children most of the time offering a high level of support and encouragement to be independent learners. Children are given the opportunity for sustained concentration and to finish off their work. Staff are good role models for children who are very well behaved. Group circle time is used well to promote learning. Leadership and management are very good. Staff know each other well and work

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How effective is the nursery education?

together effectively. They identify areas for development and training based on the needs of the setting to meet quality standards. They know their roles well and evaluate what works and what needs to be improved throughout the session. Partnership with parents is generally good. Parents receive good quality information about the Montessori method of education. They are invited to attend meetings about their child's progress. However, they are not given opportunities to share and record what they know about their child's development when they enter the setting. Parents are given opportunities to re-enforce learning started in the nursery. Notices suggest ideas for home learning linked to themes and planned activities.

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What is being done well?

• Staff plan an interesting range of activities that enables children to make good progress in all areas of learning. • Staff respond well to children's interests and make good use of time. They work directly with children and give them time for sustained concentration and to complete their work. • Group circle times are used very well to introduce new concepts and re-enforce learning particularly in mathematics and knowledge and understanding of the world. • Children's personal, social and emotional development is very good. Children take initiatives, are very well behaved and learning self discipline. They decide when they are ready for and make their own snack. They know to tidy away then wash and dry their own dishes. • Children's fine manipulative skills are excellent. They are able to handle small

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What is being done well?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 tools precisely and with ease.

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for children to plan activities, talk through their ideas and explain what is happening • the planning and organisation of role play to enable children to use their imagination and learn as they play • the partnership with parents to enable them to share and record what their child already knows, understands and can do.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made generally good improvement since the last inspection. Staff now plan a range of activities to foster children's spiritual development. Children celebrate festivals from around the world and learn about how other cultures celebrate theirs. Staff now attend regular training to update their knowledge and help them plan and present activities to enable children to make good progress in all areas of learning. Staff plan and organise a more challenging physical programme using a broader range of equipment. Children now listen to a wider range of musical styles and express their feelings in dance and song. Parents are invited to be involved in their child's learning. They can see the planning, are given ideas of how to re-enforce what the children are learning in nursery and can attend meetings with key workers. However, they are not invited to record what their child already knows on entry to the setting.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are secure and at ease. They display high levels of involvement in activities. Children are given time to finish their chosen activities to their own satisfaction. They take initiatives and manage tasks for themselves. For example, they make their own snack then wash up and clear away. Children are very well behaved. They show care and concern for others in the group and characters in stories making good connections with their home life experiences.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children demonstrate very good listening skills. They engage in challenging activities requiring good hand eye co-ordination to develop their writing skills. They recognise their names, label work and can say initial sounds in words. They are confident to interact and talk and particularly take pleasure in singing well known songs as they play. However, they do not plan or talk through their activities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show a very good understanding of shape, space and position as they follow instructions in games. They place objects correctly and use 3D shapes to make recognisable models. Group time is used well to promote number work including using numbers as labels. They count accurately and calculate how many they have and how many more they need.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children have a variety of opportunities to learn about the natural world, their environment and to explore the features of living things. Children enjoy using their senses to look at facial features, listen to sounds and touch a wide range of materials. They build and construct with a range of natural and man made materials. They are learning the purpose of technology in some peoples lives.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's hand eye co-ordination and control of fine tools and equipment is very good. They are able to manipulate a range of materials with ease from tiny pins to see-saws. Their awareness of how to move safely grows as they practise moving in a variety of directions and speed to music. They enjoy using large equipment to develop their climbing and balancing skills.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children burst into song spontaneously as they play. They move freely to music expressing their responses to ideas and instructions as they take part in adult led activities. Children know some colours and use a variety of creative media to re-create and make decorative items for Christmas. However, children are not using their imagination well to act out their own scenarios to make sense of their world.

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Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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: • Points for consideration • Plan opportunities for children to talk activities through, reflect on their ideas and explain what is happening. • Evaluate the planning and organisation of role play to enable children to make better use of their imagination and learn as they play. • Provide parents with the opportunity to share and record what they know their child already knows, understands and can do on entry to the setting.

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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 Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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