Lord Williams's School Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 23/02/2004 Inspector Name Margaret Moffat

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name LORD WILLIAMS'S SCHOOL DAY NURSERY Setting Address THE UPPER SCHOOL SITE OXFORD ROAD THAME Oxfordshire OX9 2AJ

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Committee of Lord Williams Day Nursery Address 29 Merlin Way Bicester Oxfordshire OX26 6YG

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Lord Williams's School Day Nursery was established in 1991. It is a non profit making organisation managed by a committee of parents. The nursery predominantly provides child care for the children of Oxfordshire County Council Employees but there are some places available for other families living locally. The nursery operates from a purpose built single storey premises situated in the grounds of the Lord William Secondary School on the outskirts of the town of Thame. There are currently 39 children from 6 months to 4 years on roll. This includes 11 funded three year olds and 4 funded four year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are currently no children with special educational needs or who speak English as an additional language attending. The nursery opens five days a week all year round. Sessions are from 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Thursday and from 08:00 to 16:30 on Fridays. Seven permanent members of staff work with the children all of whom have early

p.2

Information about the setting

years qualifications to NVQ level 2,3 and 4. The setting receives support from a mentor from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

p.2

Information about the setting

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

Lord Williams's School Day Nursery provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff's sound knowledge of the early learning goals enables them to provide an interesting and appropriate range of practical activities to help children learn. Children are eager to participate in the activities on offer and they are confident and happy. They behave very well due to the high expectations and excellent role models provided by staff. There is a good assessment system in place which is used to record children's progress towards the early learning goals. Some opportunities are missed to extend mathematics activities for older more able children. Staff excel in their use of effective explanation and questioning to encourage children's thinking. Effective systems are in place to support both children with special needs and English as an additional language.

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

Leadership and management is very good. There is a good staff team in place who benefit from strong leadership. They provide a well planned stimulating environment where children learn through a variety of activities. The manager and management committee provide good opportunities for staff training and development. Partnership with parents and carers is very good and this contributes to children's learning. Staff have good relationships with the parents and carers. Information is shared on a daily basis and parents are well informed about the foundation stage and the nursery activities and routines. Parents share their observations about their child with the staff and regularly discuss their child's progress.

p.3

What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social, and emotional development is very good. The children are confident, interested and able to work independently. They are well behaved and share toys and resources readily, taking turns. • Children are good communicators, listen well, have a growing understanding of the written word and are confident writers. • The wide range of activities and resources in all areas ensure children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. • Staff excel in the use of effective explanation and questioning to encourage children's thinking. • Leadership and management is very good. Staff work well as a team and are committed to the improvement of nursery education.

p.3

What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 • more opportunities to challenge older more able children to explore number and simple calculation through everyday activities

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made very good progress since the last inspection and all issues raised have been addressed.

p.4

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

p.4

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy a good range of activities and are eager to try new experiences. Children develop very good relationships. They work well together and independently. They share resources and behave well. Children are developing very good independence and self help skills. They are developing an awareness of diversity in the community through a range of practical activities.

p.5

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers, able to listen well and engage in effective conversation with each other and adults. Children are confident writers. They have many opportunities to practice emergent writing and to recognise and write their own names. Children are confident in their use of books and beginning to understand that print carries meaning. They recognise letters and use sounds to identify everyday objects and simple words.

p.5

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children use number in familiar context, many count to ten and beyond and recognise numbers between one and nine. Opportunities are missed to challenge older more able children to further explore number and calculation through everyday activities. Children confidently create patterns playing with the sand and train track. They use language to describe size and can recognise and name simple shapes during practical activities.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to build and construct using a range of tools and materials. Children use the computer and familiar programmes with confidence. They have developed a good understanding of time and talk confidently about events in their own lives. Children find out about living things, their environment and natural objects through planned activities.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently and have an awareness of themselves and others. Children develop co-ordination and balancing skills through activities such as balancing on stilts, hula hoops, bats and balls and climbing frame. They are able to use a wide range of tools confidently and many children have good scissor control. Children are confident and capable when undertaking routine activities; putting on coats, visiting the toilet.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

p.5

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have many opportunities to express themselves freely in art and craft activities. Children respond enthusiastically during activities and are confident in communicating their ideas. They express their imagination through a variety of role play situations. Children have opportunities to respond to what they see, smell, taste, touch and feel through practical activities.

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.7

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following: • Point for consideration: • increase challenges for older more able children to explore number and simple calculation through everyday activities.

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7