Small Friends Children's Day Nursery

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 28/02/2005 Inspector Name Greg Wolff

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SETTING DETAILS

Day Care Type Full Day Care Setting Name Small Friends Children's Day Nursery Setting Address 15 Rectory Grove Leigh-on-Sea Essex SS9 2HA

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REGISTERED PROVIDER 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

Small Friends Children's Day Nursery opened in 2001. It operates from three rooms in a privately owned building, situated in the centre of Leigh-On-Sea. The nursery serves the local area. There are currently 72 children from 0 to 8 years on roll. This includes 25 funded 3 year olds and 17 funded 4 year olds. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The setting supports a small number of children who have special needs. The group opens 5 days a week all year round. Sessions are from 08:00 until 12:00 and 13:00 until 18:00. Some children remain at the Nursery all day. Eight staff work with the children. Seven members of staff have early years qualifications to NVQ level 3. One member of staff has a level 2 NVQ and is working towards her level 3 qualification. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, the Pre-School Learning Alliance and the National Day Nursery Association.

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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?

The provision for nursery education at Small Friends Children's Day Nursery is very good. Children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning. The quality of teaching is very good. The team of staff have a good understanding of the Foundation Stage. They use long, medium and short term plans to effectively ensure a range of purposeful activities are available which promote all children's learning towards the early learning goals. Staff make regular annotated observations of the children and get to know them well. They use this information to inform the short term planning to ensure children are well supported, including those with special educational needs. Staff create an interesting, comfortable and stimulating learning environment where children know the routines well. Staff and children develop warm and friendly relationships. Children's behaviour is very good and they are helpful, caring and

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How effective is the nursery education?

co-operative. Staff interact meaningfully with the children both as individuals and in group situations. Leadership and management is very good. The owner/manager demonstrates an understanding of her responsibilities and liaises regularly with the the officer in charge and the nursery staff. There is a strong commitment to training staff to and above national requirements. This has a very positive effect on the educational programme. The staff are a cohesive team and work effectively together. They have designated roles of responsibility within the nursery and are active in reviewing their own practice. The partnership with parents is very good. Parents have access to information about how the children learn within the setting through the prospectus, newsletters, displays and notice boards in the foyer. Parents are encouraged to be active in supporting the nursery's work and extending their child's learning and progress.

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What is being done well?

• Staff give good support to children with special educational needs. They work with parents and other agencies to ensure that children have full and equal access to all learning activities and that they can take part in group situations. • Staff provide a range of resources and opportunities for children to say and use number names in a variety of contexts. They plan activities to include the use of numbers and also use spontaneous group activities to support children's learning. • Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to practise writing. Older and more able children confidently form recognisable letters and write their

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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 own names and short captions on their work. • Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to develop physically. Children use tools and small construction materials confidently and with success. They have access to large climbing equipment and play resources which ensures that they exercise fully and remain healthy and active. • Staff provide regular access to a computer and children are able to use it independently and with confidence for a variety of purposes which support their learning. • Staff make regular annotated observations of the children, both planned and spontaneous. They use these observations to inform the short term planning and to provide parents with feedback regarding their children's progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

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What needs to be improved?

• opportunities for children to further develop basic mathematical problem solving skills.

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What has improved since the last inspection?

This is Small Friends Children's Day Nursery's first nursery education inspection.

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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 show keen interest in their chosen activities and concentrate well. They are eager to try new things and have a sense of pride in their achievements. They work co-operatively together and form good relationships with their peers and adults. Children's behaviour is good. They show care and concern for others and for the resources they use. They learn about being part of the community and the wider world. They develop independence and confidence.

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COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children confidently talk about real and imaginary events as they play. They use new vocabulary they have learned in their conversations. They listen attentively to others and join in with songs and discussions appropriately. They are able to name letters of the alphabet and to link these letters to sounds. They enjoy looking at books both with support and alone. Children write their own names and are starting to write short captions on their work.

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MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children count reliably during the course of routine and spontaneous tasks. They recognise and use number names when using puzzles and games. They solve simple number problems and talk about more and less. They learn and use mathematical language. They investigate 2 and 3D shapes when using a range of equipment including construction toys and junk modelling. They measure, compare and discuss height, length, weight and volume through practical, everyday activities.

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KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children explore and investigate a range of natural materials such as leaves, sand and water. They have regular access to a computer and use it confidently. They design and build using construction sets and recycled materials. They learn about the passage of time, look at the seasons and talk about past experiences. They examine where they live and the natural world and celebrate a variety of festivals through planned topics. They explore objects and materials by using all their senses.

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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children move with confidence and skill when using the range of large physical equipment available. They have a good awareness of themselves, space and others for example when they choose somewhere to sit during group activities. They learn about healthy eating at snack and meal times and through planned themes. Children develop good motor control and hand eye co-ordination using tools such as paint brushes, scissors, pencils and cutlery.

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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 have excellent opportunities to explore colour and texture through an imaginative range of well resourced activities. Children enthusiastically use instruments to accompany their singing. They enjoy action songs and clapping to rhythms. Children develop imaginative play with costumes and props, and small world play with animals and vehicles. The senses are developed through tasting different foods and exploring the natural world.

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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 : • the opportunities for children to further develop and practise basic mathematical problem solving skills.

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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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