Ysgol Baladeulyn

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 16/02/2004 Inspector Name Gianna Ulyatt

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name The Learning Tree Nursery & Kids Club Setting Address Behind Carlton Miniott Community School Carlton Miniott Thirsk North Yorkshire YO7 4NJ

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of The Learning Tree Nursery & Kids Club

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name The Learning Tree Nursery & Kids Club Address Carlton Miniott Community School Carlton Miniott Thirsk North Yorkshire YO7 4NJ

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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

The Learning Tree is sited in a mobile building at the rear of the Primary school in Carlton Miniott, it is managed by a voluntary committee of parents. They offer full day care for a maximum of thirty children aged 2 years to 12 years. They are open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. During term time they provide before and after school care for school age children and full day care for children 2-5 years. In holidays they also provide full day care for school age children. The nursery provision is managed by Mrs Sonia Butler who has a level three child care qualification and holds a current First Aid Certificate. The Out of School Club is Managed by Ms Kathryn Wake who is a qualified teacher and is in the process of completing a level three qualification in play work, she also has a current First Aid Certificate. The nursery is a member of the Early Years Partnership and offers funded places for

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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 Learning Tree Nursery provides very good nursery education overall. The environment is stimulating and each child is valued and known as an individual. Both three-and four-year-olds make very good progress towards the early learning goals in personal social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy, mathematical development and knowledge and understanding of the world. In physical and creative development progress is generally good. There are limited opportunities to develop large motor movement and to be expressive.

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How effective is the nursery education?

The quality of teaching is very good because staff are enthusiastic as they work with children. They work in very small groups encouraging them and praising them as they play and learn. Staff use assessments well to plan their teaching. They know each individual child and offer support to each one. They plan activities that are challenging for all age groups. They have high expectations of behaviour, making sure children are clear about rules and routines. They use resources well but do not take full advantage of the area outside. Leadership and management is very good. The nursery is well supported by a strong committee of parents who encourage developments on all issues. The management encourages staff to continue their professional development through training. The setting is involved in gaining a Kite Mark award which means they are evaluating all aspects of current practice to identify areas which need to be improved

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How effective is the nursery education?

and developed. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. They are kept well informed through high quality written and verbal information. They are actively encouraged to be involved in the work of the nursery and are encouraged to participate in their child's learning at home. Parents and carers talk regularly with staff about their child's progress.

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What is being done well?

• the way staff interact with children during activities • the way communication language and literacy, personal, social and emotional development and mathematics are taught • the stimulating way the area indoors is set out • the partnership with parents and carers

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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 • large motor skill development • opportunities for creativity in art • the organisation of snack time

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made very good improvements since the last inspection. Plans have improved in communication language and literacy. Activities now include letter sounds and early writing skills. These present a good challenge for older children. Planning has developed well. Topics now include all six areas of learning. Objectives are clear and link well to the early learning goals. Assessments and observations have improved. Staff keep clear records of the progress children are making and use the information to inform their plans. They observe children from time to time so that activities provided present a challenge to each individual.

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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 during activities. They concentrate well and are confident with adults and visitors. Behaviour is very good. Children choose their own resources and activities, share toys and take turns. They are developing good independence, but opportunities to develop responsibility are missed at snack time. Children are respectful of their culture and the culture of others.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak clearly and learn many new words in role play. Staff read stories to small groups of children in the book area. Children learn to listen very well and increase their vocabulary. They know print has meaning and use pictures to predict the story. Children recognise and write their name and know some letter sounds. They mark make and learn simple handwriting skills.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children can count reliably, very good emphasis is given to counting through many daily activities. Children learn simple calculation. Children learn to recognise and name several different shapes. They match, sort and recognise several colours. They understand pattern and use mathematical vocabulary such as 'more' and 'the most' in terms of numbers.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn about animals and nature. They learn to use computers. They can talk about homes and families and are becoming familiar with village locality. Well planned topics teach them about many European countries. They celebrate festivals throughout the year. The children have limited use of the area outdoors to further enhance learning.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Generally Good Children use their body with increasing control,opportunities to further develop their skills by playing outdoors are limited. They are aware of their space and the space of others and know about changes to the body. They have many chances to pick up small items which helps with their fine minipulative skills. They use felt pens with accuracy and use a variety of tools and malleable materials. They manage glue spreaders and paintbrushes well.

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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: Generally Good Children find out about colour and texture but too few artistic materials are available for spontaneous, undirected work. Children paint and work in three dimensions with clay; they are able to make patterns. Children know songs and rhymes and sing tunefully. They can play instruments and dance. Children dress creatively in pretend play. Stories are used to inspire creativity. Children have good chances to talk about taste and smell.

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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: • Improve the way the area outdoors is used so that children have activities throughout the year which will promote all areas of learning • increase opportunities for children to improve their large motor skills • improve opportunities for children to be creative in a spontaneous and undirected way • make snack time a more meaningful experience for 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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