Stamford College (part of Inspire Education Group)

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/12/2004 Inspector Name Teresa Colburn

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Portslade Community College/Pavilion Pre-School Setting Address Chalky Road Portslade Brighton East Sussex BN41 2WS

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name Brighton & Hove Council - Directorate of Education

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Brighton & Hove Council - Directorate of Education Address Portslade Community College, Upper School Chalky Road, Portslade Brighton East Sussex BN41 2WS

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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

Portslade Community College Pavilion Pre-School is run by Brighton and Hove Council Directorate of Education. It opened 1974 and operates from one large hall within the sports Pavilion near Chalky Road. It is situated in the local community of Mile Oak, Brighton. A maximum of 24 children may attend the pre-school at any one time. The pre-school is open each weekday from 09:15 to 11:45 during term time only. All children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. There are currently 41 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll. Of these 24 receive funding for nursery education. Children come from a wide catchments area. The pre-school currently supports a number of children with special educational needs, and also supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language. The pre-school employ five staff. Three of the staff, including the supervisor hold appropriate early years qualifications. One member of staff is currently working

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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?

Portslade Community College Pavilion Pre-school is acceptable and of high quality. It enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all six areas of learning.

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How effective is the nursery education?

The overall quality of teaching is very good. Staff's knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals is effective in ensuring that children receive a balanced programme of activities. The staff have set up good learning environments with equipment labelled and easily accessible to children. Resources are of good-quality and well-organised to increase children's independence. Staff ensure that children have opportunities to be engaged in a variety of activities and also encourage children to initiate their own ideas. Staff are skilled at developing children's language. Staff set realistic boundaries with ongoing praise and encouragement in promoting good behaviour. This enables children to feel secure and increases their self-esteem. Staff routinely conduct formal and informal assessments. The leadership and management of the provision is very good. Staff work well as a team and clear communication allows them to provide a stimulating well-balanced

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How effective is the nursery education?

program. The supervisor has clear objectives. Staff have clear understanding of their role and responsibilities and support each other effectively. The provision takes part in the Pre-school Learning Alliance accreditation scheme to monitor and improve the quality of the provision. Partnership with parents and carers is very good and contributes to the children's progress towards the early learning goals. Parents are well informed about the foundation stage and the provision's activities and routines. Parents receive twice yearly written record of achievement reports.

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What is being done well?

• Children's personal, social and emotional development is very good. They are confident, have established good relationships and initiate some aspects of their learning. Their concentration skills are well developed. • Children's communication, language and literacy is developing very well. Their spoken language is extremely good. Staff show consistent interest and engagement in their play and conversations. • Staff create a well-planned stimulating environment where children learn through a wide range of practical activities, making very good use of resources. • The staff welcome parental involvement in their child's learning and provide a range of worthwhile information relating to the Foundation Stage and areas of learning currently being covered.

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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?

• children's independence at snack time.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

At the last inspection the provision agreed to make more use of assessments of children's progress to plan next steps of individuals. The provision devised a detailed action plan highlighting how they would implement a new system, resources required, time factors, and how the provision will monitor and evaluate the new system. All staff work together and regularly record written observations on the children, ensuring their individual needs are met.

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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 developing good relationships and get on well with peers and adults. They talk happily about their home lives and families. They concentrate well at self chosen activities, and understand the need to share. Children generally behave well and respond to requests for good behaviour. They understand the provisions ground rules and abide by them. Children's independence is not fully fostered during snack time.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children speak confidently to peers, staff and the inspector. They talk openly about themselves and their families. Children enjoy books and handle them with care. They spend time daily reading and sharing books. Some children are beginning to ascribe marks to meaning.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Many children can count confidently from 1 to 10, and some can count easily beyond. They are beginning to recognise numbers in various formats. Some children use mathematical language during free play activities. Children greatly enjoy the designated mathematical area, and free use of the many resources.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are confident in using information and communication technology, they demonstrate good mouse control. Some can use tape recorders with ease. Children excitedly explore the natural environment with magnifying glasses. They are developing good cutting and design skills. Children are confident in discussing past and present events in their own lives.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children's hand and eye coordination is good. They are skilful when playing throw and catch games. Children are skilled at using a variety of construction equipment. They have frequent opportunity to use paper, scissors and glue for cutting and designing. Children demonstrate the good sense of space. Children are confident in using outdoor play equipment and show good coordination and control.

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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 Children are encouraged to use their imagination and express their ideas, through the various role-play areas provided. Daily art and craft activities are organised, children are provided with a range of materials. Children enjoy participating in singing sessions and have built up a good repertoire of songs and action rhymes.

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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 improving the following; • encourage the children to be fully independent during snack time. 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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