Ladybrook First School and Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 25/03/2004 Inspector Name Jacqui Lloyd

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Lee Street Evangelical Church Play Group Setting Address Lee Street Evangelical Church Lee Street Horley Surrey RH6 8ES

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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

Lee Street Evangelical Playgroup is a privately owned group, it operates in a Church Hall in Horley. The playgroup provides sessional care for 24 children aged 2-5, it operates Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri during term time only. The main areas used by the children are the main hall and library, they also have access to a large enclosed outdoor play area which offers both a hard surface and grassed area. Lee Street Evangelical Playgroup is in receipt of funding to provide Nursery Education. There are currently 31 children on roll, of these, there are 11 funded 3 year old and 7 funded 4 year old. The group receives support from the Early Years and Childcare Service. (EYCS)

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How good is the Day Care?

Lee Street Evangelical Church Play Group provides good quality care for children. The staff are very hardworking and conscientious, they succeed in providing a safe and caring environment where children play happily. The sessions are well organised and children clearly understand the established routines. Children play enthusiastically with an abundance of good quality toys many of which are stored at low level, making them easily accessible to children. Toys reflect positive images of cultural and religious diversity. All of the required documentation is in place and is well maintained however children's registration forms lack detail. The premises are very bright and exciting, there are examples of children's work attractively displayed around the room. Staff supervise the children well and understand the importance of keeping children safe. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of safety although consideration has not been given to radiators.

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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 Snack time is used effectively as an learning opportunity. Children enjoy the social aspect of this time and are also involved in serving drinks and snacks. Staff promote good health and hygiene with the children and maintain appropriate accident records. There is currently no procedure for recording when children arrive with an existing injury. Staff foster kind and caring relationships with the children. Children are happy and settled in the group and show great confidence with their peers and adults. They are offered a broad range of activities and experiences, promoting development in all areas of learning. Staff recognise good behaviour and reinforce it with positive language, the children are clear about the expectations regarding behaviour and behave very well.

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How good is the Day Care?

There is an excellent partnership with parents, information about the children's progress and achievements are shared regularly. Parents support the group very well by taking part in a parent rota and working in the group alongside the staff.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection it was agreed that the group would review all procedures regarding child protection. The group was required to devise and implement a written child protection policy. This has been addressed and a policy is now in place. It was also agreed that a designated staff member would attend appropriate training to develop knowledge about child protection, places have been booked on a forthcoming course.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are very clear about their roles and responsibilities and continue to be very committed to the success of the group. • The interaction between staff and children is excellent, staff continually use appropriate language to challenge the children and extend learning opportunities. • The premises are very well maintained. They are bright and welcoming and the main room is decorated in bright colours with attractive displays of children's work around the room. The group also benefit from having access to a very large outdoor play area. • Staff have a firm but fair approach to behaviour management and children behave well. They are clear about what is expected and respond well to the constant praise and encouragement they receive from staff. • The group have established an excellent partnership with parents. They place a great of emphasis on this aspect of the provision. Parents are actively involved in the group and communication between the group and parents

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the safety of the radiators • procedures for gathering information regarding children's individual needs • procedures for recording existing injuries.

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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 6 Ensure radiators are made safe or inaccessible. 9 Develop the admissions form to include more detailed information regarding the children’s needs such as religious and cultural beliefs and other languages spoken at home. 13 Ensure a written record is kept when children arrive with existing injuries.

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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?

The educational provision at Lee Street Evangelical Church Playgroup is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the Early Learning Goals in all six areas of learning. Teaching standards are very good. Planning and teaching show that staff are well aware of the stepping stones towards the early learning goals for 3 and 4 year olds. Staff manage children's behaviour very well and the children are calm, busy and happy. The sessions are well organised and run to a regular routine which gives children a feeling of security. Resources are plentiful and of good quality. Staff prepare activities well and they ensure that children can choose toys and resources easily. Surrey Profiles are used well to track and record children's progress. Staff support assessments with notes and photographic evidence. They use this information to identify areas where children need more support or greater challenge.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Children with special needs are supported well. Grouping for some activities allows more mature children to experience more challenging conversation and activities. Leadership and management is very good. The leader works side by side with other members of staff and she is fully informed about teaching and learning in the group. She actively supports the staff in training for their professional development. She welcomes advisory visits from early years staff and responds promptly to guidance and new ideas. The leader and staff are fully committed to the ongoing development of the care and education provided for all children. Parents and carers enjoy a strong and effective partnership with the staff at the playgroup. They provide valuable voluntary assistance through a rota of helpers. They are well informed about the educational provision and their children's progress. They share their views with staff in discussion and through feedback forms.

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What is being done well?

• Children enjoy pleasant, affectionate relationships with the staff. Their behaviour is managed well and they are calm, busy and content. • The involvement of parents is a particular strength. Parents can support their children's learning and at the same time gain an understanding of the activities that are provided. • Provision for letter recognition and pre-writing activities is very good. Children show a good understanding of the shapes of letters and the sounds that they make. • Opportunities for counting and shape work are both very good. The children count with growing accuracy and confidence. Older members of the group are beginning to identify numbers that have a particular significance to them such as their age.

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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 • Good use is made of the local area to enhance children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Children thoroughly enjoy making postcards, walking to the post office and buying stamps to post the cards. • Children's manipulative skills are developing well. They are gaining the necessary skills for writing. • Children's creative work is very good. They become involved in valuable imaginative play which enables them to express their own ideas freely.

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What needs to be improved?

• the reading area in the hall, which is a little plain. • the numbers displays around the hall for use as visual aids to learning.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Three key issues were identified at the last inspection and staff have made very good progress in addressing them. Staff agreed to develop their planning so that the different needs of the three and four year olds are clearly identified. They were also asked to ensure that planning is supported by more detailed assessment information and that sessions are managed more briskly. Staff have improved planning which is now expressed in the long term, medium term and in detailed topic plans. Staff also prepare a daily timetable which they follow conscientiously to ensure a suitable pace in the sessions. Assessments are more detailed and effective. Staff were asked to improve the programme for knowledge and understanding of the world through giving children access to information and communication technology and by giving children opportunities to learn about other cultures. A good range of battery operated toys is now available and children make good use of them to

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What has improved since the last inspection?

support their learning. The programme now includes a suitable range of festivals from other cultures. Staff agreed to develop the provision for communication, language and literacy through giving children better support in role play activities and giving children more opportunities to express themselves. Staff also agreed to provide more writing activities for the children. Staff now become involved in role play to extend children's imaginative games. The children express themselves freely in creative work and in music and movement. A good range of writing materials are made available and children make good use of them to draw and make marks.

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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 enter the setting eagerly. They leave their parents or carers confidently and quickly settle to their own chosen activity. The children are calm, polite and well behaved. They show a good level of independence in choosing toys, selecting materials and in matters of personal hygiene. They get along well together, find no difficulty in sharing and taking turns and some are forming firm friendships. They learn about festivals and celebrations in a variety of cultures.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are gaining a good understanding of the different sounds and shapes of letters of the alphabet through a systematic programme of activities. They are eager to join in with rhymes and songs. They are gaining fluency in their speech and use an increasing range of vocabulary particularly in connection with their topic work. Good pre-writing activities help children to gain the hand control required for writing. They make good use of books although the reading area is a little plain.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count aloud in daily routines. They use number names appropriately and can count accurately up to ten and beyond although there are few numbers on display. They are adept at recognising and naming shapes which are covered well in the programme. They use the correct terms to describe size and quantity in play and craft activities. Positional words are used frequently in conversation and reinforced in activities such as sending Incey Wincey Spider up and down a length of drainpipe.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children handle and explore a good range of materials and objects in topic work and on the interest table. Varied and valuable topic work helps the children to learn about living things and they note the changes in nature across the seasons. Very useful local walks are taken to places such as the post office. Interesting visitors and road safety activities also help the children to understand the world outside the nursery. Battery operated toys are used well to support children's learning.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's manipulative skills are developing well through taking part in activities such as rolling dough, cutting, threading, spreading glue and making sandwiches. They gain control over their limbs through climbing and playing games such as jumping with two feet together. They also use a good selection of wheeled toys. They show an awareness of space and obstacles and rarely collide. They make good use of small equipment such as bats and balls to develop their hand/eye coordination.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children eagerly handle and explore a good range of media and materials including clay and a whole range of papers and shiny materials. Photographs and very colourful displays of children's work show that they are involved in a good range of interesting art and craft activities. The work on display is children's own work created using their own imagination. They express their thoughts and feelings in role play and in music and movement activities.

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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: • No key issues for improvement have been identified in this inspection. To enhance the good standard of provision staff should consider the following points: • Develop the reading area to make it more attractive. • Display more numbers around the hall to use as visual aids to learning. 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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