Charlwood House Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 04/05/2004 Inspector Name Helen Penticost

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Charlwood House Day Nursery Setting Address Charlwood House Charlwood Road, Lowfield Heath Crawley West Sussex RH11 0QA

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Bellcross Ent Ltd Address Charlwood House Charlwood Road, Lowfield Heath Crawley West Sussex RH11 0QA

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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

Charlwood Day Nursery is a registered full day care facility providing 105 childcare places for children from 0 years to under 8 years of age. The Nursery is a large converted house within the Charlwood area of West Sussex. The facility comprises of several playrooms, entrance lobby, toilet facilities and an enclosed outdoor area. The nursery operates for five days per week from and is open throughout the year. Staff employed within the setting, have gained relevant childcare qualifications and experience. All staff regularly attend first aid and child protection training, to update certificates and underpin their current knowledge and awareness.

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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?

The provision of nursery education at Charlwood House Day Nursery is acceptable and of high quality. It enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The overall quality of teaching is very good. Staff have a secure knowledge of the early learning goals. The staffing team, led by the unit co-ordinator, plan a good range of practical activities acknowledging the children's differing levels of abilities. However, they need to ensure that these plans are evaluated. Staff make regular assessments which are clear and informative. They identify children's progress and ensure access across the curriculum and these are used to influence planning. Staff support the children well in the chosen activity and observed relations are very good. The Nursery have a policy on special educational needs and procedures are in place for the identification and assessment. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. The management team

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How effective is the nursery education?

have a clear vision and share a common determination and have effective procedures in place for induction, appraisal and further training. The staff team work closely together and they share the responsibility for planning, teaching, observing and assessing. Staff are deployed effectively throughout the sessions to maintain a calm and stimulating environment. The Nursery receive support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents are greeted warmly and are provided with comprehensive information about the nursery. They are informed of their child's progress on both a formal and informal basis. Parents receive regular information regarding planned activities through parent's evenings, newsletters, notice boards, displays of children's art work and weekly report sheets.

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What is being done well?

• Staff create a well-planned stimulating environment, where children learn through a range of practical activities. Many learning opportunities are provided through the daily routine. • Children's personal, social and emotional development are given high priority, They are confident, have established good relationships and play an active part in their learning. • Children's language is developing well and excellent opportunities are given for them to practise writing in a number of situations including imaginative and role play settings. • Children show a good awareness of space and others as they move confidently and with purpose around the nursery. They are developing an understanding of staying healthy.

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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 opportunity available to children to be able to select appropriate resources for joining materials; • the opportunities for children to be able to undertake simple calculation; • the short term planning to ensure that planned activities are evaluated.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made very good progress since the last inspection. Planning has been extended to include all areas of learning, with focused activities being planned to highlight children's development towards a particular strand of learning.

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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 confident, happy and are motivated to learn. Their ideas and work is valued and this is reflected in the excellent display's of children's work. Children show an understanding of their own culture and explore similarities and differences in those of others. Children form good friendships with other children and adults. They show a consideration for others and are developing a sense of right and wrong. The children demonstrate high levels of concentration during activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident speakers, they listen well to each other, to instructions and to stories. Children are given opportunities to participate as individuals and as part of a group. Staff provide a wide variety of opportunities for emergent writing. Children enjoy looking at books and handle them appropriately.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to count to 10 and beyond and recognise written number. Good use is made of number posters and displays around the setting to help children understand quantity to number values. The children use simple mathematical language to compare size, shape and weight. Staff occasionally reinforce simple calculation however this could be developed further.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to build and construct models however their access to resources for joining materials together could be improved. They enjoy using the computer, know how a mouse works and have very good access to Information and Communication Technology equipment. Staff encourage children to talk about and recall past events. Children extend their knowledge of other cultures through using a suitable range of equipment and resources.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children demonstrate a good sense of space and are able to move around their environment with confidence. A good range of large equipment provides challenging opportunities for climbing, jumping and balancing. Children frequently handle simple tools such as scissors, pencils and brushes which develops their fine motor skills well. Children learn about health and hygiene in everyday and planned topic work.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are offered daily opportunities to be involved in craft, art, messy and cooking activities. They enjoy worthwhile opportunities to explore texture and three-dimensional shape when creating models. Children are actively encouraged to use the imaginative play area and to engage in role play scenarios. The children receive regular opportunities to sing, dance, listen to music and play musical instruments.

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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: • ensure that children have the opportunity to select appropriate resources for joining materials. • develop the opportunities for children to be able to undertake simple calculation • develop the short term planning to ensure that planned activities are evaluated.

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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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