Manor Way Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 17/02/2004 Inspector Name Mary Van De Peer

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup Setting Address Newton Close Lordswood Chatham Kent ME5 8TR

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Kestrel Playgroup Address Newton Close Lordswood Chatham Kent ME5 8TR

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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

Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup opened in 1976. It operates from a church community hall centre in Lordswood, Chatham. The provision uses two large rooms, an office, toilets, a kitchen and a secure outdoor area. The group serves the local area. The group is registered to provide care for 40 children per session for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. This includes funded 3 and 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group currently supports several children with special needs and who speak English as an additional language. The group opens 4 days a week, term time only. There are morning sessions Monday to Thursday, and afternoon sessions are offered Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The groups also provide a lunch club for up to 16 children per session. Over half the staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2 or above. The pre-school receives support from a teacher from the local Early Years Development

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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?

Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup 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 in all six areas of learning. There is very good planning to cover the curriculum. Staff plan a good variety of practical activities and provide children with a wide range of resources to support their learning. Effective interaction between adults and children results in children being confident speakers. Staff provide a warm, caring and stimulating environment for the children. They have a good knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals, although some activities are not always extended to provide sufficient challenge for the older, more able children. Children are confident, show consideration for others and their behaviour is very good. The playgroup has experience of working with children who have special needs. The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator uses individual

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How effective is the nursery education?

reviews to support the children's learning. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. Staff are supported well in the care and education they provide for young children. The committee and managers have worked hard to create a strong team. They are committed to providing opportunities for further staff development and training. The committee and staff meet regularly to evaluate and review the effectiveness of the pre-school. The partnership with parents is very good. This aids the children's progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are well informed about the foundation stage and the service the pre-school provides. They have regular opportunities to discuss their children's progress with staff and this is backed up by a regular written report.

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What is being done well?

• The effective planning, assessment and reviewing of activities and resources ensures children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. • Children's speaking and listening skills are given good emphasis. They are confident speakers and are developing language skills to enable them to negotiate in their interaction with each other and adults. • The managing of children's behaviour and their knowledge of health and safety issues. This helps children become more aware of their environment and how to act and respond to others. • The effective leadership and management of the pre-school. This ensures high quality care and education is available for children. • The partnership with parents and carers is very good. This enables children to receive consistent and appropriate care.

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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

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What needs to be improved?

• the opportunities to further extend the learning of more able children.

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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 are excited and motivated to learn new things. To help children feel secure they can track the timing of the session. Their behaviour is very good. Children are forming good relationships with each other and the staff. They have a good understanding of people's needs and beliefs. There is a missed opportunity for children to increase their personal independence at snack time.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers and communicators. They are able to link sounds with words and objects. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. They are also confident mark-makers. There are a few missed opportunities for children to mark-make in everyday situations.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to count confidently. They can use the correct words to describe size, position and quantity. Children are beginning to solve simple problems. There are some missed opportunities to extend more able children's learning.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to explore different objects and materials. They are using appropriate language to describe what they see, feel and taste. Children can build structures using a range of materials and tools. They have a very good sense of time and place. Children are able to visit and get to know their local environment. There are some missed opportunities for children to use everyday technology.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show a good awareness of space and others around them. They are able to use a wide range of different equipment and tools. There is a missed opportunity for children to be able to cut out shapes for themselves in a focussed activity.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to use their imagination in a variety of ways. They enjoy exploring colours, shapes and textures. Children can use their senses appropriately. There is a missed opportunity to use the musical instruments available.

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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: • Point for consideration:- • review the opportunities for extending the learning of more able children. 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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