The Coton Green Church Pre-School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 13/11/2003 Inspector Name Dianne Lynn Sadler

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name THE COTON CENTRE NURSERY SCHOOL (Var) Setting Address COMBERFORD ROAD TAMWORTH STAFFORDSHIRE B79 9AA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of THE COTON CENTRE NURSERY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name THE COTON CENTRE NURSERY SCHOOL COMMITTEE Address THE COTON CENTRE COMBERFORD ROAD TAMWORTH STAFFORDSHIRE

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 of the quality and standard of day care in accordance with the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding; and 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 Coton Centre opened in 1993. It operates from three rooms on the first floor of the Coton Church Centre, situated on the outskirts of Tamworth town centre. The nursery serves the local community and families from surrounding towns and villages. There are currently 32 children aged 3 and 4 years on roll. This includes 27 funded 3 year-olds and 3 funded 4-year-olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The nursery currently supports children who have special needs. The nursery opens five days a week term time only. Sessions are from 09:30 to 12:00. Seven staff work with the children. All the staff have early years qualifications. One member of staff is currently on a training programme. The nursery receives support from a teacher from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

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How good is the Day Care?

The Coton Centre Nursery provides a good standard of care for children. The staff are encouraged to access relevant training and the level of qualifications is good. The nursery provides a warm welcoming environment where the children feel safe and secure. There is a well written operational plan which includes most policies and procedures, however the child protection policy adhered to by the church centre and nursery is not included. Appropriate steps are taken to minimise all hazards and good hygiene practices are in place. The children's individual needs are understood and met. Activities are well planned and all the children are encouraged to participate to ensure the children have an opportunity to learn and develop. There is effective use of space, which is well organised to meet the needs of the children, especially in the area of physical play in the absence of an outdoor play area. Snack times are a particularly sociable and

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How good is the Day Care?

educational occasion. The observation, assessment and recording of the children's

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How good is the Day Care?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 development is very effective and used to plan for their future development.

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How good is the Day Care?

The nursery's relationship with parents is very good. The staff work closely with parents to ensure the children's needs are well met. Parents have access to children's written development records and are asked to contribute. There are clear procedures and boundaries understood by both the children and the parents. The children's behaviour is managed well with a particular emphasis on the importance of respect.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection, the nursery agreed to develop the existing recruitment and vetting procedures for checking that staff are suitable to work with children. The church has become a registered body for the Criminal Records Bureau, to be able to carry out clearances. The nursery also agreed to ensure that the Child Protection Procedure for the nursery complies with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. There is now a written policy adhered to by the whole church building, which needs to be made available to the nursery staff and parents.

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What is being done well?

• The activities are well planned and themes are used to ensure children have access to a wide range of play opportunities. Good use is made particularly of snack times and physical play is presented in an imaginative way in the absence of an outdoor play area. • The observation, assessment and recording of the children's development is carried out in an effective way, encouraging the contribution of the parents, and used to plan for the children's future development. • There is a strong emphasis on the importance of showing each other respect throughout the nursery. The children's behaviour is managed in an effective and consistent manner, appropriate to the ages and stages of the children present. • There is a very good working partnership between the nursery staff and the parents, who are encouraged to participate and contribute.

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What needs to be improved?

• the reviewing and accessibility of the child protection procedures to the staff and parents.

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Outcome of the inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION

All registered persons must comply with all conditions of registration included on his/her certificate of registration. As a result of this inspection conditions of registration have been imposed / varied / removed and a new certificate of registration will be issued.

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by the time of the next inspection

Std Recommendation 13 Review equal opportunities policy and ensure it is shared with parents and staff.

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by the time of the next inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 the Coton Centre Nursery School is very good. It enables children to make very good progress towards all the early learning goals within a stimulating environment, offering separate work areas linked to the six areas of learning. The quality of the teaching is very good. Staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage and are involved in organising clear, concise educational plans. Activities are stimulating and well planned and provide sufficient challenge to extend children's learning. However staff do not always make the most of the opportunities for children to learn about other cultures and beliefs. Staff encourage children to think and express their ideas and feelings and explore new experiences. Staff manage children's behaviour very well, having clear, consistent expectations. The leadership and management of the group is very good. Staff work well as a

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How effective is the nursery education?

team and are included in all the planning and decision making for the future. Communication is effective and there is a commitment to further training. The partnership with parents is very good. Staff work very closely with parents and there are good opportunities for parents to receive and discuss information about the provision and children's development. Parents are encouraged to participate and effect the children's learning by providing the nursery with a profile of their children's learning from home, ensuring good links between home and nursery school.

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What is being done well?

• Staff have consistent and clear expectations of the children's behaviour which are discussed regularly with the children during the session. • Staff's clear understanding of the early learning goals leads to well planned activities which provide sufficient challenge for children and extends their learning and thinking. • Separate work areas within the room enable children to choose resources for themselves and work both independently and as part of a group. • Staff encourage parents to contribute and participate and effect children's learning, ensuring very good links between home and nursery school. • The observation, recording and assessment of children's development is very good, using development profiles completed by parents on admission.

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What needs to be improved?

• children's understanding and learning of other cultures and beliefs.

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What needs to be improved?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The nursery has made very good progress since the last inspection. At the last inspection the provider agreed to improve the staff's understanding of the objectives for all activities and be able to provide more challenging activities to meet the individual needs of the children. The objective for each activity is now displayed and the staff have a good understanding of the learning outcomes for each activity. Staff are also confident in providing challenge for children and extending their thinking. The provider also agreed to provide opportunities for parents to contribute to the children's assessments with observations from home. Parents now complete a profile on their children's learning at admission, which is used as a baseline assessment.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are interested in all activities offered and are able to sit and concentrate for appropriate periods of time. Staff have consistent and clear expectations of the children's behaviour which are discussed regularly during the session, respect is particularly encouraged. Separate work areas enable the children to choose resources for themselves and work independently. Children's understanding of other cultures and beliefs could be further extended, especially during focused activities.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to sit and concentrate for long periods of time and are able to use prediction, language and communication to extend thinking. They are able to confidently communicate ideas and feelings with peers and adults. Children are developing an enjoyment of books and demonstrate an understanding of how to use them.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Staff use well planned activities and opportunities to count with the children and develop their understanding of shape, size and numbers. The children are also able to explore and experiment with calculation.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Generally Good Children are able to discuss their families past and future events with competence. Children have limited opportunities to learn about other cultures and beliefs, although there are some planned activities to explore different festivals. There are opportunities for children to investigate and explore a range of objects and materials, which include everyday technology.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are able to develop a sense of space, skills and awareness of their own bodies. They access a wide range of equipment to develop large and small movements. The music and movement sessions enable children to develop their imagination, co-ordination as well as movement.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children have plenty of opportunities to explore colour, texture, shape, form and music. They are encouraged to use their imagination and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings in a variety of activities. Children confidently recite nursery rhymes from memory in small group situations.

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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and 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 key issues, but as a point for consideration for improvement the setting could develop children's understanding of other cultures and beliefs.

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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 Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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STANDARD 1 - SUITABLE PERSON

Adults providing day care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so.

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STANDARD 2 - ORGANISATION

The registered person meets required adult: child ratios, ensures that training and qualifications requirements are met and organises space and resources to meet the children's needs effectively.

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STANDARD 3 - CARE, LEARNING AND PLAY

The registered person meets children's individual needs and promotes their welfare. They plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

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STANDARD 4 - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

The premises are safe, secure and suitable for their purpose. They provide adequate space in an appropriate location, are welcoming to children and offer access to the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development.

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STANDARD 5 - EQUIPMENT

Furniture, equipment and toys are provided which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are of suitable design and condition, well maintained and conform to safety standards.

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STANDARD 6 - SAFETY

The registered person takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

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STANDARD 7 - HEALTH

The registered person promotes the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when they are ill.

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STANDARD 8 - FOOD AND DRINK

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food and drink is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements.

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STANDARD 9 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The registered person and staff actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children.

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

The registered person is aware that some children may have special needs and is

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NEEDS AND DISABILITIES)

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified or admitted to the provision. Steps are taken to promote the welfare and development of the child within the setting in partnership with the parents and other relevant parties.

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STANDARD 11 - BEHAVIOUR

Adults caring for children in the provision are able to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare and development.

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STANDARD 12 - WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND CARERS

The registered person and staff work in partnership with parents and to meet the needs of the children, both individually and as a group. Information is shared.

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STANDARD 13 - CHILD PROTECTION

The registered person complies with local child protection procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee and ensures that all adults working and looking after children in the provision are able to put the procedures into practice.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

Records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, or to promote the welfare, care and learning of children are maintained. Records about individual children are shared with the child's parent.

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STANDARD 14 - DOCUMENTATION

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000; and Section 122 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998

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