Widmer End Community Combined School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 07/02/2002 Inspector Name Deborah, Jean Watton

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SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name CHILD BASE LTD. Setting Address WESTDOWNS DAY NURSERY WINCHESTER HAMPSHIRE SO22 5HT

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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

West Downs Day Nursery is part of the Child Base chain of nurseries. Child Base is an independent company which was established in 1990. The nursery is situated within the grounds of West Downs student village in Winchester. The accommodation is purpose built and the children have access to a large enclosed garden. The nursery is open from 7.30 am until 6.15 pm every day for 52 weeks of the year, providing full and part-time places for the children of staff and students at St Alfred's College and also for working parents in the surrounding urban area. 120 children aged between six weeks and five years attend the nursery which is registered to provide 60 places. The children are grouped in four different areas with three and four-year-olds being together in the early years group. Twelve of the three-year-olds and ten of the four-year-olds are in receipt of nursery funding. The nursery is currently supporting funded children with special educational needs and

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Information about the setting

children for whom English is an additional language. A total of 20 staff work with the children of whom 18 hold a relevant qualification. The staff use a 'plan, do, review' approach to nursery education. The nursery receives advisory visits from the Early Years childcare partnership.

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How effective is the nursery education?

Generally children are making good progress towards the ELGs and progress in P.S.E. and physical dev. are very good. Staff management of children and their support for ch with particular needs is very good. There is strong leadership of a well qualified staff team. A commitment to continued progress is evident. Overall partnership with parents and carers is good.

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What is being done well?

Children are making very good progress in P.S.E. and physical dev. Overall there are a wide range of good quality, age appropriate activities which promote the children's learning. The nursery is led well with clear roles, responsibilities and good procedures in place.

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What needs to be improved?

Use of assessment to inform planning and ensure that challenges set for children are appropriate. Children's access to the full range of creative resources to extend their own ideas.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

There has been a very good improvement in the planning since the last inspection so that the children may work quietly on their own, selecting resources and staying at an activity until they have completed a task. Staff now provide regular opportunities for the children to concentrate, persevere and work independently with free choice sessions included in the daily routines.

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in personal, social and emotional development. Their behaviour is very good. They are learning to share and take turns. They concentrate and participate well individually and during circle time. They show care and concern for others, supporting each other well as they play.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Generally Good Generally good. Children have developed a good understanding of books, enjoy sharing stories and joining in with rhymes and action songs. They speak clearly and confidently in small and large groups and staff encourage them to discuss what they are doing as they play. They understand that print has meaning and are skilled at recognising their own names. There is insufficient emphasis on practising letter sounds and early-writing skills within their daily routines for those children who are able.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Generally good. Children count accurately up to ten and beyond. Staff encourage them to count themselves at circle time and they practise a large repertoire of number rhymes.The children are developing a good understanding of simple number operations and are well-supported to add and subtract within their rhymes and games. They use an excellent range of resources effectively to explore shape, size and quantity but opportunities are missed to extend their learning through chosen activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children make generally good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world. They are able to investigate through the wide range of activities and objects on offer. They learn about their local environment, homes, bodies, the seasons and different cultures and beliefs. However, they do not have sufficient opportunities to select tools and resources to build, construct and develop their own ideas.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in physical development. They move confidently with control and co-ordination. They have daily access to a wide range of equipment and outside play. They use tools and materials competently and fine motor skills are developing well.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Generally good. Children are given a good introduction to music and are encouraged to recognise and explore sound through tapes, songs, action rhymes and instruments. They use their imagination with good access to the 'home' corner and small-world toys. Children look, listen, smell and taste as they learn and take part in 'sensory' walks in the nearby village. There are too few opportunities for them to extend their own ideas through the use of creative materials.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately: Y

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OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION

The provision is acceptable and is of good quality overall. Children are making generally 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

Develop use of assessments to inform planning and the next stages in children's learning - ensuring challenges are appropriate, Provide access to wide range of creative resources for children to extend their own ideas.

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