Hutton Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 21/02/2005 Inspector Name Susan, Helen Spencer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Hutton Playgroup Setting Address Hutton Village Hall Moor Lane Hutton Preston PR4 5SE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Hutton Playgroup Address Hutton Village Hall Moor Lane Hutton Preston PR5 5SE

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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

Hutton Playgroup has been in operation since 2001. The playgroup is set in the Village Hall, a single storey building, in the village of Hutton, on the outskirts of Preston. The playgroup is situated in close proximity to the village centre. The playgroup shares the facility with other groups, in the community, however, they have the sole use of the facility when in operation. The children have access to a large hall. Toilet facilities are accessed just outside the main hall. There is a kitchen (with a serving-hatch) available for preparation of snacks, and a small area for breakfast/snack times. The playgroup is run by a committee made up from parents of children who attend the playgroup. The playgroup committee is registered to offer care for 25 children between the ages of two to five years. There are currently 28 children on roll, of which 15 children are in receipt of funding. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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Information about the setting

Sessional care provision is offered each weekday morning except Wednesday between 9:00 - 12:30 term time only. The commitee employ six members of staff - two supervisors, three playgroup assistants and an administrator. The two experienced supervisors share responsibility for the management of staff and the delivery of care. Both supervisors hold recognised child care qualifications, one member of staff is a qualified teacher; with another member holding the N.V.Q level 3, whilst one other member of staff is working towards her N.V.Q level 3. The committee also have six regular volunteers with some, having relevant experience. The setting is a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance and also receives support from the teacher team in the 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?

Hutton Playgroup provides high-quality nursery education. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. Teaching is very good, particularly the skilful and positive management of children's behaviour, which enables them to learn well. Assessment is used well to plan future learning and staff use questioning effectively to engage children's interest and help them to learn.

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How effective is the nursery education?

The leadership and management of the pre-school is very good. Supervisors are highly committed and are supported by a strong staff team who work very well together. The management evaluates practice carefully and is always seeking to improve. Staff appraisals are carried out regularly but not always used in conjunction with each other to provide a good basis for improvement. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents receive good information, staff share the achievements of their child and parents are encouraged to become involved with the pre-school.

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What is being done well?

• Children are becoming confident learners through the positive example of staff. • Good teaching engages children through well-planned activities and lots of questions and discussion. • The progress that children are making in all six areas of learning. • Parents are well-informed about their child's progress and are encouraged to become involved with their child's learning. • Energetic and enthusiastic leadership from the two supervisors has created a strong staff team focused on meeting the children's needs.

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What needs to be improved?

• the organisation of responsibilities in session to ensure staff cover all activities and do not 'double up' and the use of monitoring and appraisals to focus on improvements in provision clearly • the organisation of groups so younger children are sometimes given shorter periods of concentrated activity

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What needs to be improved?

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

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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 form good relationships with adults and other children which leads to a cheerful and relaxed environment. They understand what behaviour is expected of them and respond positively to staff's direction. Children are becoming independent learners. They confidently choose their own equipment and resources, asking for the things they need. Children are gaining a good sense of their own community through the celebrations and events during the year.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy looking at books, independently and in groups, with staff in the book corner. They are aware that words have meaning and already know their own names, picking them out confidently when self-registering in the morning. Children are learning to control pencils, with a range of activities which help improve their manipulative skills. They begin to write their own names, some able to write correctly from memory and other needing some support by using their name card to copy from.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to count through specifically planned activities, and also through informal opportunities as they arise. Staff make good use of chances to count in everyday activities, giving children valuable practice. Children are gaining a good understanding of size and quantity through practical activities such as filling and emptying in the sand. Children know lots of number rhymes and songs which reinforces their counting skills, and links to the idea of more and less.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy investigating the pasta and pulses in the sand tray, putting them through sieves and colanders. They soon discover some pieces are too big. They think about change in their baking and cooking activities, such as melting chocolate for cornflake cakes. Children learn more about the world through topics such as 'The weather.' They try on rain Macs and Wellingtons. There are good chances for children to learn about other cultures in celebrations such as Chinese New Year.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children improve their physical skills in the interesting activities provided in sessions. They particularly enjoy the 'Jigabout' sessions with the tennis coach who plans well-matched activities to the age of the children giving them good physical exercise and early ball skills training. Children develop hand muscles effectively in play activities such as hammering, painting and gluing, and using soft dough to make models.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children enjoy role play activities which enable them to use their imaginations well. They have experience of a doctors, baby clinic and café. Children also spontaneously invent games, asking staff who are near the dried spaghetti tray, 'What do you want for dinner?' Good opportunities are provided for children to explore materials. Children use paints, with large brushes, and model with dough and clay. They enjoy moving to music in dance sessions, and playing the rhythm sticks in singing time.

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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: • make more comprehensive use of all appraisals to provide a broad picture of how to improve further • check how staff are deployed and groups are organised to avoid occasional doubling up at 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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