Lindsay Park Nursery School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/02/2005 Inspector Name Helen Ann Woods

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Lindsay Park Nursery School Setting Address Lindsay Park Baptist Church The Mall Kenton Middlesex HA3 9TG

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Lindsay Park Nursery School Address The Mall Harrow Middlesex HA3 9TG

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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

Lindsay Park Nursery opened in 2002. It operates from Lindsay Park Baptist Church, which is situated in a residential area of Kingsbury in the London Borough of Brent. The areas available for use are a large hall and kitchen on the ground floor, three classrooms, office, storage room and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a secure outdoor area. The nursery provides Sessional day care for children. The group opens five days a week during school term times and sessions operate from 09:30 to 12:30. There are currently 30 children on roll. The setting provides care for children with special needs and several children have English as an additional language. The nursery receives nursery education funding for 29 three-year-old and four-year-old children. There is a manager and 8 staff, 50% of whom hold relevant Early Years qualifications. The nursery is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and receives support

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Information about the setting

from the Brent Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

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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 Lindsay Park Nursery School provides very good, high quality nursery education. Children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in the six learning areas. They are confident, curious, enthusiastic learners who enjoy a wide range of activities. A rich, stimulating environment ensures children are able to make very good progress. Staff have a very good understanding of how children learn, sound knowledge of the foundation stage and a commitment to ensure each child can develop at their own pace. A key worker system ensures adults know children well, using their observations and assessments to understand each child's level of attainment. This knowledge is also used to effectively plan a broad and balanced curriculum which interests the children. Resources are organised to promote independent access, encourage children to pursue their own ideas and conduct their own experiments. Children receive ample attention and support in their play from

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How effective is the nursery education?

adults who employ good teaching and questioning techniques to extend children's language, imagination and thinking skills. The leadership of the group is very good, and is supported by effective management and communication with staff and parents. Commitment to providing a high quality service is evident in all areas of practice. The staff team are positive and motivated; they work well together to ensure that children receive high quality care and education, which is evaluated. Staff are valued and there is a strong commitment to professional development. This ensures they have good access to regular training, which updates and enhances their skills, allows new ideas to be developed and promotes good teaching. Partnership with parents is very good. Relationships and communication are warm and friendly. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning by linking activities the children do at home with the nursery. Parents can meet with the staff

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What is being done well?

• Children are gaining confidence and independence because staff encourage them to make choices and decisions and children are expected to do many things for themselves. • Children are making good progress with mark making and emergent writing. Staff provide them with a range of writing and drawing materials which they access freely and the children's work is valued. • There are good opportunities to explore a wide range of mathematical concepts, children use mathematical language confidently and accurately to describe colour, size, shape, quantity and weight. Children routinely

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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 compare, make repeating patterns and solve problems • Children are given free rein to handle and explore a valuable range of natural and man-made materials and resources. • Very good use of indoor and outdoor space; regular spontaneous opportunities to develop a wide range of skills across the six learning areas. Children are well coordinated, have good spatial awareness and are able to successfully negotiate obstacles, move and stop under control.

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What needs to be improved?

• There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following; • the range of every day objects for children to explore and find out how they work. • the independence of children in serving themselves drinks at snack time.

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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 demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. They are sociable, lively and persist for extended periods of time at the activities. Children are confident and have good self esteem which is fostered well by staff who listen with interest to children and praise them. Children model respect and care shown by adults, enjoy good relationships and work together with their peers. Children have good opportunities to exercise autonomy and be independent in their learning.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children express themselves and communicate confidently using gesture, expression and language. Adults introduce new vocabulary to encourage developing language. Children handle books competently, listen to and tell stories. Many letters are named and formed correctly as children write and recognise their own names although more provision could be made for providing materials for spontaneous writing in role play activities.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Planned activities and everyday situations are used very well to explore mathematical concepts. Children use mathematical language to accurately describe colour, size, shape, quantity and weight. Children recognise numerals and count confidently to ten and beyond. There are good opportunities for children to learn about calculation through practical activities; handling money at the launderette and snack time.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children confidently investigate and explore a small range of favourite natural materials. There are daily opportunities for children to practice their design and making skills in connection with current topics. They have regular opportunities to learn about everyday technology and it's uses and discovering how things work. Children demonstrate a good understanding of time and place as they talk about significant events in their lives.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are well coordinated, have good spatial awareness and a wide range of movement skills. Physical activities are well planned for indoor and outdoor space where they have sole use of excellent facilities. Fine physical skills are well developed; children are dextrous and have good manipulation skills, they handle simple tools and equipment safely and appropriately.

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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 are encouraged to explore colour, shape, texture and space at art activities throughout the session. Children enjoy and make good use of imaginary provision to role play familiar situations and involve peers in negotiating more complex storylines to act out such as the baby clinic today, adults support and extend this play well. Children express themselves in various ways; painting, drawing and singing. There are regular activities to explore music, movement and play instruments.

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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 significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following; • the range of writing materials such as note pads and pencils to extend spontaneous writing in the role play activities.

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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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