Little Tractors

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 31/01/2005 Inspector Name Julie Youngman (TCCI)

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Forncett Playgroup Setting Address The Village Hall Low Road, Forncett St. Mary Norwich Norfolk NR16

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Forncett Playgroup 1024080

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Forncett Playgroup Address The Village Hall Low Road, Forncett St. Mary Norwich Norfolk NR16

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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

Forncett Little Tractors opened in 1974 and operates from a hall in the village of Forncett St Mary. There are currently seventeen children from two and a half years to four years on roll; this includes nine funded three-year-olds. At present there are no children attending with special needs or who have English as a second language. The group is open during school term times, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 9:45 and 12:45. Three regular staff work with the children and two hold early years qualifications. The setting receives teacher support from the local school.

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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 for nursery education at Forncett Playgroup is acceptable and of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff use their good knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum to plan and provide a varied range of interesting activities to promote children's learning. They actively encourage children to develop their independence, confidence and self esteem. There is a good balance between adult led and child chosen activities. Good procedures are in place for assessing children's progress and these are used effectively to help children move on to the next stage in their learning. Leadership and management of the setting is very good. The playgroup is managed by a voluntary committee that has regular contact with the playgroup and the committee is very aware of the strengths and weaknesses in the setting. The

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How effective is the nursery education?

dedicated staff team work closely together to ensure that the needs of the children are well met. They are committed to the improvement of education for all children and attend courses to improve their knowledge and skills. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Staff develop good relationships with parents and spend time talking to them informally about their children. Parents appreciate being invited in to talk to staff and to see their child's assessment records, including the photographs of activities and examples of work. These are not labelled to show which areas of learning the children have experienced. Parents receive good quality information about the curriculum and events in the playgroup.

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What is being done well?

• Children form good relationships with each other and with adults. • Staff provide a warm and caring atmosphere that enables children to feel confident and secure. • Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and provide a good range of activities with an appropriate balance of adult led and child chosen activities. • Leadership and management are strong and support very good team work and a commitment to continuous improvement. • Parents are given good information about the playgroup, curriculum and their child's progress.

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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?

• There are no significant weaknesses to this report but a point for consideration should be given to annotating children's record books to give parents a clearer picture of their child's experiences across the areas 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 and keen to be involved in the wide range of interesting activities provided; they have positive attitudes to learning. Staff form very good relationships with the children and have clear expectations for acceptable behaviour. Children are learning to take turns and share resources. They are encouraged to be independent and make decisions about what they would like to play with. They are able to select resources for themselves.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children use language confidently when talking to peers and adults. They enjoy stories and rhymes and looking at books which they handle with care. The books are easily accessible and the setting has recognised the need to include more books that reflect different cultures. Children are developing writing skills and have good opportunities to practice independent writing. There are good opportunities for children to see and recognise their names.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children show an interest in number; they are encouraged to use it in role play activities, such as in the cake shop. Older children are beginning to write numbers and planning includes topics with a focus on numbers to extend the learning. Children recognise numbers up to 10 and confidently count objects. Attractive displays, such as the clock display, encourage children's interest.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children learn effectively through a wide range of first hand experiences, such as nature walks and visits. They take part in regular discussions about the weather. Children enjoy using a range of construction materials and programmable toys. They have access to computers during regular visits to the local school. Through well planned topics, children have good opportunities to discuss past and present events in their life and find out about the area in which they live.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move confidently and safely around the playroom and outside. They use a variety of equipment, tools and materials safely, showing developing co-ordination and control. Free choice activities include opportunities for children to balance. Children experience climbing and using large wheeled toys to promote their large muscle development when playing outside.

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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 There are good opportunities for children to explore colour, different media and textures. They explore their ideas and feelings through a range of activities including imaginative activities such as small world play. Staff provide an environment where children can be spontaneously creative and adult led activities give children good support in developing their skills.

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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 the following: • to annotate children's record books to give parents a clearer picture of their child's experiences across the areas of learning.

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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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