Pilling St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 15/11/2004 Inspector Name Debra Davey

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Brayford Square Playgroup Setting Address 6 Brayford Square London E1 0SG

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of The Committee of Brayford Square Playgroup 1024694

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Committee of Brayford Square Playgroup Address 6 Brayford Square London E1 0SG

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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

Brayford Square Playgroup is a community provision which is located in a purpose built single storey building within a residential area on the Exmouth estate in Stepney in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The premises consists of a play room, reception area, kitchen, office, storage room, toilets and washing facilities and a secured outdoor play area. The group has been in operation for approximately 25 years and is registered for a maximum of 16 children under 5 years. There are a number of children attending who speak English as an additional language. The children who attend reflect the social and cultural mix of the local community and receives funding for 3 and 4 year olds. There are currently 17 children on role this includes 8 funded 3 year olds the setting has experience of caring for children with special educational needs. The group receives on-going support from the Local Early Years Development

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Information about the setting

Childcare Partnership and are managed by a committee which includes parents. The playgroup operates two sessions per day: 09.30 - 12:00 and 12:30-15:00 Monday - Friday during school term times.

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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 Brayford Square Playgroup offers good quality nursery education where children enjoy learning through a wide range of interesting activities . Effective teaching helps children make generally good progress towards the early learning goals. They make very good progress in personal social and emotional development, knowledge and understanding of the world, creative and physical development. They make generally good progress other areas. The quality of teaching is good overall and staff demonstrate a sound understanding of the foundation stage, making particularly good use of planning and assessment to support children's learning. Staff provide a clear routine to make children feel secure and help them learn. Staff and children engage in stimulating conversations during activities which enable children to learn about themselves and the wider world. Staff are less secure in their use of mathematical language to help children understand

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How effective is the nursery education?

simple mathematical concepts. Opportunities for children to develop their pre-writing skills need to be extended within the setting. Leadership and management is good overall. The play leaders ensure that the playgroup runs smoothly and are able to access staff training through the EYDCP. The playgroup is currently working with a Kite mark assessment programme to ensure evaluative practice. There is effective liaison with the local Early Years Advisory Service which ensures a well planned curriculum. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents are well informed about the nursery activities and the six areas of learning through daily discussions and displays, child progress records and individual reports. The playgroup aims to foster strong links between home and school by the use of discussion and topic newsletters.

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What is being done well?

• The programme for personal, social and emotional development is well planned and promotes children's confidence. Children form good relationships with staff and peers and their behaviour is good. • There are good opportunities for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world through access to a range of activities involving the natural world and multi-cultural festivals. • The provision of a range of freely chosen creative and art activities which are thoughtfully displayed to provide a bright and cheerful environment. • The nursery develops effective partnership with parents by providing good information about how children learn and progress reports.

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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?

• the use of mathematical language and problem solving through the use of simple addition and subtraction. • opportunities for children to develop their pre-writing skills. •

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The policy for Special Educational Needs to ensure that it reflects the code of practice.

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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 interested, excited and motivated to learn though selecting their own materials. Children are highly involved in activities and are able to sit and concentrate, for example, when listening and answering questions at story time. They are confident when expressing their likes and dislikes. Children are learning right from wrong and they show concern for one another. Children are able to take turns and to share.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Children are at ease when speaking in familiar groups, and are able to express their thoughts and feelings. Children have some opportunities to develop their pre-writing skills but this needs to be extended within the setting. The children are beginning to develop their pre-reading skills through handling and looking at books. They are able to recognise the initial letter of their name.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children have opportunities to count, weigh, sequence and to compare size through practical activities. Children recognise and write numerals, and name shapes. Some opportunities are missed for example extending their use of mathematical language and problem solving through simple addition and subtraction.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about the world they live in; different cultures and beliefs through celebrating festivals such as Diwali. They have opportunities to explore living things and natural materials through a range of everyday activities such as leaf and vegetable printing. The children have access to information technology and are confident when using the computer and mouse for example, when designing patterns. Children are able to build and construct using a wide range of materials.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently and imaginatively, showing an awareness of others when participating in music and movement. Children use a range of small equipment with increasing control and they independently select tools such as scissors for specific tasks. They have opportunities to swing, balance, scramble and slide. Children move towards independence through making play dough, mixing paints and pouring drinks.

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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 lots of opportunities to explore colour, shape, space, texture and form in two and three dimensions. They respond enthusiastically to what they see, hear, smell and touch. Children enjoy making play dough and mixing their own paints. Creative materials are easily accessible, which helps children to independently select and create, for example; choosing wool; buttons; glitter; paper; and glue or selotape.

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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 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.

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WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT: THE KEY ISSUES

• Improve the programme for literacy to include varied opportunities within play situation for children to practice their early writing skills. • Further develop the programme for mathematics to provide challenge for older or more able children through the use of mathematical language and questioning during everyday activities.

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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.

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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

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