Oaklands Primary School

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 18/11/2003 Inspector Name Shirley Ann Jackson

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Sessional Day Care Setting Name Yorkley Playgroup Setting Address Yorkley County Primary School, Lydney Road Yorkley Lydney Gloucestershire GL15 4RR

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REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS

Name The Committee of Yorkley Playgroup 1017810

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ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name Yorkley Playgroup Address Yorkley County Primary Yorkley Glos GL15 4TA

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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

Yorkley Playgroup opened in 1971. It operates from an Elliott building with one large playroom on the site of Yorkley County Primary School, Yorkley, Gloucestershire. The playgroup serves the local area. It is run by a voluntary committee of parents. There are currently 28 children from two to four years on roll. This includes 18 funded 3 year olds and no funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting currently supports children with special needs. There are no children attending with English as an additional language. The group opens five days a week during school term times. Sessions are from 09:00 until 11:30. Three full-time staff work with the children. Two of them have early years qualifications to NVQ level 2. One member of staff is currently working towards a level 3 qualification. The third member of staff has over 20 years experience working in playgroups. The setting receives support from a mentor from the Early Years

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Information about the setting

Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP). Teacher support is also available on site. The playgroup follows aspects of the High Scope method of teaching.

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How good is the Day Care?

The quality and standard of day care is good. The staff team is strong and they work well together as a team. They work directly with the children, supporting their play and learning. They are also aware of when not to intervene and to let the children take control. They are experienced and have the skills to interact well with the children. Organisation of space and resources is very good. Children are cared for in premises which are bright, welcoming and well managed by staff. A wide range of resources are easily accessible to the children. Staff are well deployed during the session to ensure children's safety at all times. However, one safety area needs to be addressed. Clear procedures are in place for the collection of children, dealing with first aid and administering medication. Most

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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 aspects of hygiene are satisfactor. All adults are aware of each child's individual needs and offer the appropriate care. Clear procedures are in place for the protection of children. Children are offered a stimulating, exciting and interesting range of activities. Children have good relationships with staff and with each other. Children are settled, secure and comfortable in their surroundings. Adult interaction with children is good. They listen and value what the children say and respond accordingly. Children are treated as individuals and encouraged to be independent. Staff are positive role models for children. They have a calm, quiet and relaxed approach and children follow this lead. Behaviour is very good. Staff use praise and encouragement to

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How good is the Day Care?

raise self-esteem and promote positive behaviour. Staff have good relationships with parents. Parents are asked to share information about their child to enable staff to offer individual care to each individual child. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their children's learning by helping on rota duty. Parent questionnaires and parents spoken to have a high regard for the group and the staff who work there.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

N/A - the group had no actions at their last inspection.

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What is being done well?

• Staff are experienced and have the ability and skills to interact well with the children. They work well together as a team directly supporting the children in their play and learning. • Staff plan a wide range of stimulating, exciting and interesting activities for the children. Children are involved in, and show good concentration skills during self-selected and adult-led activities. Staff use gentle questioning to encourage children to think for themselves and to extend their knowledge. • Children have good relationships with staff and with each other. Children are settled, secure and comfortable in their company. Adult interaction with children is good. They listen and value what the children say and respond accordingly. Children are treated as individuals and encouraged to be independent. • Staff manage behaviour in a manner which is appropriate for the children's level of development. They are consistent in their expectations and

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What is being done well?

management of behaviour. Praise and encouragement are used to raise children's self-esteem and to promote positive behaviour. • Staff have good relationships with parents. Parents are asked to share information about their child to enable staff to offer individual care to each individual child. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their children's learning by helping on rota duty.

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What is being done well?

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 needs to be improved?

• the procedures for ensuring that premises are secure and that no unauthorised entry is possible; • the arrangements for ensuring good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing.

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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 6 make sure that premises are secure and that no unauthorised entry is possible. 7 ensure good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing.

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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?

Yorkley Playgroup offers high quality provision which helps children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. Teaching is very good. Relationships with children are very good. Staff provide good role models and have reasonable and realistic expectations of children's behaviour. They set clear, reasonable and consistent limits. Staff use interesting and stimulating teaching methods to help the children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals. However further development is needed in areas of sound and rhyme, health and bodily awareness and giving children opportunities to explore media in their own way. Staff make good use of time and resources. Staff work directly with the children to support their learning, but importantly they also know when to back off and let the children take the lead. Leadership and management is very good. The group is well led by staff and

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How effective is the nursery education?

committee. The staff team is small but strong. Staff and parent helpers are very clear about their roles and responsibilities. Good links have been developed between the staff and the committee. This ensures the smooth day to day running of the group. The staff and committee have high expectations and are committed to improving the quality of the care and education the playgroup provide. Partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents feel that they are kept informed about their child's progress and activities they have been doing. Parents feel able and welcome to share any information verbally at any time. Information from parents about their child is welcomed and valued by the staff.

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What is being done well?

• Children develop very good relationships with staff and other children. They are confident, cooperative, well behaved, independent and show high levels of concentration. • Very good support is given to children's developing language and children enjoy listening and contributing to group activities. They learn to negotiate, take turns and organise their play through conversation. Children speak clearly, audibly and with confidence. • Children demonstrate an interest and enjoyment in numbers and counting and are given many opportunities to explore size, shape and comparison through activities and play. • Children enjoy exploring and investigating materials. They are showing an awareness of the passing of time. Children are developing an awareness of their immediate environment. • Children are moving confidently and with growing respect for others personal

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What is being done well?

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 space. They confidently use a variety of tools and small and large equipment e.g. trikes, paintbrushes, glue spreaders, straws, pencils, threading and scissors. Children are developing an awareness of good hygiene practices.

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What needs to be improved?

• Develop and build on opportunities to sound letters and recognise rhyme. • Continue to build and develop children's understanding of health and bodily awareness. • Build on opportunities for children to explore media in their own way and in their own time.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

Improvement since the last inspection has been very good. The previous inspection asked the group to develop children's mathematical awareness. This has been met in full and maths is now well integrated into the daily routine. The group were asked to encourage children to practice their own writing. The group has met this in full. Children are now encouraged to name all pieces of work. Writing materials are available at each session for children to freely select. The group was asked to develop questioning techniques and introduce appropriate vocabulary. the group has met this in full. Staff use effective and relevant questioning to extend children's knowledge and to encourage them to think for themselves. The group was asked to develop planning to clarify what children are expected to learn from various activities. The group has made good progress in this area. Staff feel that planning and assessment are a work in progress. they are keen and willing

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What has improved since the last inspection?

to incorporate new ideas and techniques.

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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 making very good progress. They develop very good relationships with staff and other children in the playgroup. They learn to co-operate and work well together e.g. three- year-olds playing together with the dolls' house. Children are confident, well behaved, cooperative, independent and show high levels of concentration e.g. three-year-old at the puzzle table, choosing one, completing it and then choosing another.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress. Their spoken language is developing very well. They learn to negotiate, take turns and organise take turns and organise their play through conversation e.g. one three-year-old said to another during water play " put your cup there to catch the water". Children have a clear understanding that print carries meaning. They recognise their own names and those of others. However, opportunities to develop sound and rhyme are missed.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress. They demonstrate an interest and enjoyment in numbers and counting. Most children confidently say and use numbers up to five e.g. three year old spontaneously singing '1, 2, 3, 4, 5 once I caught a fish alive'. Children are developing an awareness of simple calculation. Children are developing an understanding of size, shape and position e.g. during story, three-year-old said "baby bear's behind the tree".

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress. Children enjoy exploring and investigating materials e.g. three-year-old said "it looks like cream" when playing with cornflour. Children are showing an awareness of the passing of time e.g. three-year-old recalling her holiday "I saw Goofy and Mickey Mouse at Disney". Children are developing an awareness of their immediate environment e.g. three-year-old talking about the horses he had seen the day before during a walk outside the group.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

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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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very generally good progress. Children moving confidently and with growing respect for others personal space e.g. three-year-olds playing on the see-saw were careful not to bump into anyone else. Children confidently use a variety of tools and small and large equipment. Children are developing an awareness of good hygiene practices e.g. children covering their mouths when coughing. However, opportunities to build and develop children's awareness of health are missed.

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CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress. Children use a variety of media, exploring texture and shape. They respond positively to what they smell, hear and feel e.g. three-year-old said "it's like cream". However, opportunities for children to explore media in their own way are limited. Children sing songs from memory. Children engage well in imaginative play based on their own experiences e.g. children in the shop making a pizza, one said "pizza's ready, sit down on your chair to eat it".

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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 significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: • develop and build on opportunities for children to sound letters and recognise rhyme. • continue to build and develop opportunities to raise children's awareness of health and bodily awareness. • build on opportunities for children to explore media in their own way and in their own time.

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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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