The Friary Nursery School Ltd

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 01/11/2004 Inspector Name Rosemary Beyer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Friary Nursery School Setting Address Friary Nursery School 2 Friars Lane Beverley HU17 0DF

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The partnership of Denise Benfield and Kathleen Trynka

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Denise Benfield and Kathleen Trynka Address 2 Friars Lane Beverley HU17 0DF

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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

Friary Nursery School has been registered since 1988 to provide care and education for children 2-5 years of age during term time, weekdays 08.15 until 16.30, and also for school aged children during two weeks of the summer school holidays. The Nursery is privately owned and situated behind domestic premises close to Beverley Minster and within walking distance of the local amenities. The facility has sole use of the premises. Most children come from the town of Beverley, some from villages outside. Children have the use of two classrooms, divided with sliding doors, with access to cloakrooms and toilets. There is a small rear outside area and a larger area at the front which can also be secured. The five staff members all have appropriate childcare qualifications and most have been working in the facility since it was opened. They are committed to further training and the Nursery has been awarded Investors in People.

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Information about the setting

There are currently 57 children on the roll, 47 of whom are funded, 21 three-year olds and 26 four-year olds. The facility accepts children with special needs and has procedures in place to ensure they are supported. Contact with the East Riding special needs staff is maintained. Children with English as an additional language are welcome, and staff take steps to help them settle and benefit from their attendance.

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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?

Friary Day Nursery provides very good quality nursery education, which enables the children to make very good progress in all the areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good, and planning ensures all the areas of learning are covered. Staff have a good understanding of the early learning goals, and monitor children's progress, using records effectively to support future planning and development. A good range of resources and equipment is available for all areas of learning, most of which the children can access themselves. Staff support them well, and they learn in a positive encouraging environment. There are however few opportunities for the children to develop their skills in designing and building using natural resources. Systems are in place for children with special needs, which reflect the Code of Practice, and staff have experience of supporting children and their families to help

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How effective is the nursery education?

them settle and learn. Children with English as an additional language are welcome. Leadership and management of the setting are very good. The staff work effectively as a team, supporting each other and communicating well when monitoring achievements and concerns. Staff are encouraged to undertake training to further their personal development. Partnerships with parents are very good and help children to progress. Information is provided for parents about the Foundation Stage and also about the weekly activities. Parents are able to help their children with their reading at home. Key workers ensure, through regular meetings, that parents are kept informed about their children's achievements and any concerns.

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What is being done well?

• Children's behaviour is very good. Staff have high expectations of their behaviour and encourage children's independence, confidence and concentration. They provide good role models with their calm and polite manner. • The staff work well together, providing a positive environment where the children are settled and valued. They use the rooms and the outside area well, to provide access to a range of different activities during the sessions. Children become familiar with the setting as different areas are designated for specific activities. • Relationships with parents are very good. Information about the activities is available each day and parents feel involved in their child's learning through the use of reading books at home.

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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 • Staff provide learning opportunities, which cover all areas of learning, and take account of children's individual development. They are aware of the need to ensure all the children have sufficient challenge whatever their ability.

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities for children to develop their design and construction skills using natural resources.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Staff were asked at the last inspection to make the book corner more comfortable and to improve the accessibility and variety of books available. Very good progress has been made, with floor cushions being provided, pictures hanging on the walls and the books made more accessible and rotated to provide variety.

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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 confident, are becoming independent and are able to take responsibility for their own personal care. Children's behaviour is very good, with most aware of right and wrong and able to negotiate. They show good concern for each other and co-operate well when playing, for example, with the train track or the computer. They relate very positively to each other and the adults, are keen to learn and are interested in the activities provided.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good The children are keen to engage in conversation with each other, the staff and visitors. They listen well and respond appropriately to questions and instructions. Children are confident in expressing their feelings through role-play and discussion. They enjoy stories and books, using them correctly and anticipating what will happen, the older ones are able to read simple words and take books home. All are starting to use writing in their play and most can recognise and write their own names.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use counting during song and rhyme time and general activities, which helps to support their understanding of number. Most can recognise and count up to 10, and most can recognise simple shapes. The children use counting when building towers and the train track. They are developing their mathematical language well, using words such as more, less, in their play. The children enjoy using the computer for maths games.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good The children are developing an interest in the natural world and growing things, and also in the local community, enjoying visits to the Minster to do brass rubbing. They enjoy learning about other customs and cultures in activities, such as the costume and food of China. Discussion of families has made them aware that all families are different and they like talking about their homes and what they have done.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are skilful when moving around both inside and out. They are developing good body control and balance. Fine motor skills are good when children use a range of tools including art and craft tools and mark-making implements. They are interested in the changes in their bodies due to exercise and are aware of the need to eat healthily.

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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 The children are able to use their imaginations well in role-play activities, such as the play bus. They enjoy painting and drawing, and are starting to be aware of shapes and colours and know how to mix them. A range of different materials is available for collage and models, with children able to choose and develop ideas. The children enjoy singing and music and are able to keep good time to the 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 are no signifcant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: • the opportunities for children to design and build with natural resources. 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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