Westgate First School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 05/03/2003 Inspector Name Beryl Baggs

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Setting Name Peter Pan Playgroup Setting Address The Methodist Hall Kennington Road, Lower Weston Bath BA1 3EA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Peter pan Playgroup Committee

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Peter pan Playgroup Committee Address Peter Pan Playgroup The Methodist Hall Kennington Road, Lower Weston Bath BA1 3EA

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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

Peter Pan Playgroup is owned and managed by a parent committee which employs the playleader and staff team. The playgroup meets in a church hall in a busy residential area of Bath. The playgroup is registered for 24 children aged two to five years and meets 9:30-12 and 12:30-3 p.m. each weekday except Mondays term time only. It serves the local community of young families. There are 64 children on roll of whom one has an identified special need but no child uses English as a second language. There are six staff members of whom five hold or are working towards a childcare qualification in childcare and early years education The playgroup receives nursery education grant for three and four year olds. The playgroup is supported by the Early Years Partnership in Bath & North East Somerset.

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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?

Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. They are confident, enthusiastic and persistent in their play and learning. They have good relationships with other children and adults, having confidence to express their views and needs. There are good opportunities for children to link letters, words and sounds. Mathematics is promoted in a variety of activities. The topics covered by the playgroup offer a wide experience of the living world and life in the wider community. Children use a wide variety of materials for their creativity The teaching of the children is very good. Staff have a good knowledge of the early learning goals. Activities are effectively planned and provided to stimulate children's development. Staff frequently challenge children to think about how and why things happen. Staff are welcoming and interested in what the children are doing, they value children's work. Children's behaviour is managed well and the use of time and

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How effective is the nursery education?

resources within the session very good. Leadership and management is very good. The playleader believes in a team approach and values good communication within the staff group and with the parents. Activities are evaluated and changes made when necessary. She encourages training and has a commitment to helping the transition for children from home to school. Partnership with parents is very good. They have very good information about the playgroup in the brochure, from notices and newsletters. There are good opportunities for parents to share their knowledge of their child and to learn about their progress in the playgroup. They are encouraged to be part of the children's learning by helping on the rota, contributing items for the interest table or by coming in to share skills and interests.

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What is being done well?

• Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. A very wide range of attractive activities is effectively planned and provided to stimulate children's development. • Children are developing a sense of time and place well, looking at the world they live in. They are also beginning to understand their own and others' culture and beliefs. • Partnership with parents is very good. There is clear information about the playgroup and parents feel confident to talk to staff and to be involved • The leadership and management of the group is very good. A team approach ensures good communication and shared aims. Behaviour is well managed. • Children are taught very well. The staff are interested and value the

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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 achievements of the children, they are welcoming and build the children's confidence. They set good challenges for the children to think about how and why things happen

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What needs to be improved?

• There are no significant weaknesses to report but consideration should be given to the following. • - use the vocabulary of addition to combining two groups of objects and subtraction to taking away • - extend children's understanding of community and where they live to include the special nature of the City of Bath • - extend children's understanding of time by looking at history such as grandparents childhood and way of life as children

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What has improved since the last inspection?

The playgroup has purchased more equipment to widen the experiences of children in reading and writing. A system of children borrowing books has been set up. Children have opportunities to read their names. Long term plans now cover a wider range of experiences and include reference to the early learning goals. The next steps for children are the starting point for the planning process Children can now access art and craft materials independently. They are able to see the range of equipment available and are able to choose what to play with.

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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 making very good progress in personal, social and emotional development. Children are confident, interested and motivated to learn. They concentrate well. Children are confident to talk in the whole group situation and to approach adults for help when needed. They work well together and take turns. They have personal independence and can select resources for themselves from storage units in the playroom. They are beginning to understand the different needs of people in the community

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in communication, language and literacy Children use language well for communication with each other and adults. They listen with pleasure to stories and join in familiar rhymes and songs with enthusiasm. Children use written and spoken language in their imaginative games. Children understand that print has meaning and enjoy books. Children are beginning to write their own names and some do so very clearly. They use writing for a variety of purposes.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in mathematical development. Children use number well in their imaginative play. They understand the concepts of more and less and are beginning to develop an understanding of addition and subtraction. They recognise shapes and can use them to create pictures and other shapes.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in knowledge and understanding of the world. They observe the living world and look at changes over time. They investigate why things happen and remember events well. Children use tools and materials to construct models in two and three dimensions. They use everyday technology in their imaginative play. Children are developing a sense of time and place. They are beginning to understand their own and others' culture and beliefs

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in physical development. Children move confidently, imaginatively and safely around the playgroup. They are well co-ordinated and are aware of the space around them. They travel under, over and through equipment well with enthusiasm. Children have an awareness of good health, healthy eating and the change to their bodies when they have been active. Children use a range of small and large equipment, tools and materials with skill and confidence.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in creative development. Children explore colour, texture and shape in a creative way. They can freely access resources to express themselves. They enjoy music, recognising the sound patterns and relating these to their own experiences. Children use their imagination in role play, dance, art and design. Children respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell and touch. They have many opportunities to find things out for themselves.

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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: • Points for consideration • Begin to use the vocabulary related to addition when combining two groups of objects and to subtraction when taking away • Extend children's understanding of community and where they live to include the special nature of the City of Bath • Extend children's understanding of time by looking at history such as grandparents childhood and way of life as children

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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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