Milldene Playgroup

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 18/11/2004 Inspector Name Julie Youngman (TCCI)

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Milldene Playgroup Setting Address c/o Milldene Primary School Barbrook Lane Tiptree Essex CO5 0EF

p.1

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Tiptree Pre-school Playgroup 1026184

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Tiptree Pre-school Playgroup Address c/o Milldene Primary School Barbrook Lane Tiptree Essex CO5 0EF

p.1

ORGANISATION DETAILS

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

p.1

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.

p.2

Information about the setting

Milldene Playgroup opened in their current building in 2002. It operates from a demountable building within the grounds of the primary school in the village of Tiptree. The group serves the local area. There are currently 54 children from 2 years to 5 years on roll. This includes 30 funded three year olds and 10 funded four year old children. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports a number of children with special needs and could support children who speak English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:30 until 13:00 on Mondays, 09.30 until 12.00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and afternoon sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays form 13:00 until 15:30. Nine members of staff work with the children. Three have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3 and two members of staff have early years qualification to level 2.

p.2

Information about the setting

The setting receives support from The Pre-School Learning Alliance.

p.2

Information about the setting

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

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

The provision for nursery education at Milldene Playgroup is of high quality. It enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. Staff demonstrate excellent knowledge of the early learning goals and work very sensitively with the children according to their individual needs. Challenges are set that are achievable but move children on in their learning. Adults promote friendly, caring relationships that are mirrored by the children. The children know that they are valued and special. When the children are altogether for a story, staff do not always make it clear what they should be doing, which leads to some loss of attention. Leadership and management is very good. The manager gives good, clear leadership. Her calm, gentle approach is reflected by the staff. The playgroup effectively assesses its own strengths and weaknesses. They have successfully

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

established themselves in a new classroom and created an outdoor space with a covered area. They are committed to the improvement of the care and education of all the children. Partnership with parents is very good. parents are given good information about how the children learn through the Foundation Stage. Information about the children's progress and achievements is shared with parents. parents contribute what they know about their child. They are happy and supportive of the playgroup.

p.3

What is being done well?

• The provision for personal, social and emotional development is outstanding. Staff are confident, committed and skilful in encouraging the children to behave well and to show consideration for others. Their calm and polite manner sets a very good example for children. • Staff sensitively develop the children's speech and language. They value what children say, introduce them to new vocabulary and encourage them to listen to others. • Children benefit from rich opportunities to be creative. Imagination is fostered through design and building with recycled materials, scissor, glue and tape. Children are involved in prolonged productive role play that supports their learning about the world. • The playgroup management monitors and plans effectively. They have successfully established the group in new premises and created good outdoor facilities. The children benefit from the opportunity to plant and see

p.3

What is being done well?

things grow such as sunflowers and pansies.

p.3

What is being done well?

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

p.3

What needs to be improved?

• the management of children during group story time to encourage the children to stay attentive.

p.4

What has improved since the last inspection?

The setting has made very good progress since the last inspection. Staff are now confident and knowledgeable about the early learning goals of the Foundation Stage. Staff have all received training in planning and assessment and observations are used in planning. Planning for all children is now linked to progress through the stepping stones.

p.4

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

p.4

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making excellent progress in this area because staff value and respond positively to every attempt the children make to interact and communicate. Children are developing good behaviour and self control. Staff are excellent role models. The children have a sense of belonging. They feel secure because know they are valued and respected. The provision supports the children to be self assured, confident and independent.

p.5

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children confidently engage in conversation with adults and each other. Staff use every opportunity to support and extend the children's development of speech and language. Staff question well to encourage the children to express their thoughts about real and imagined experiences, ideas and feelings. Children use letter sounds and recognise their names. They are learning to form letters correctly and write their names.

p.5

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident and enthusiastic to join in with or talk about mathematical activities. They spontaneously use mathematical language in their play. Staff skilfully utilise opportunities to encourage children to learn about numbers and calculating. Using dough and straws children were counting and then adding one more. Good craft activities, games and puzzles are used by staff to develop learning about shape, space and measure.

p.5

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning about how and why things happen through practical activities, using man made objects and living things. They are developing skills using tools and a good variety of materials for building and joining. Staff support discussions that extends the children's knowledge about past and present events and about their own and other cultures. Effective planning for role play supports the children to learn through interaction with each other.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are learning to be controlled and imaginative movers. Staff give children plenty of time to explore and practise movements which promote confidence and self esteem. Staff recognise children's natural inclination to learn through physical activity and this supports learning in all areas. Children understand the importance of healthy eating and keeping safe when using tools and equipment.

p.5

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

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

p.5

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are given time and many excellent opportunities to explore and experiment with role play, materials and activities that use their senses. Children feel secure to use their imaginations to express their own thoughts and feelings. The 'shop' promotes very effective and prolonged imaginative play. Children negotiate with each other to develop ideas. Children sing spontaneously and enjoy joining in songs and rhymes that they know by heart.

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.7

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, however, consideration should be given to improving the following: • review the strategies for the management of children during group story time to encourage the children to stay attentive. • look into possibilities of providing some good male role models 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.

p.7

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

p.7