Charnwood

INSPECTION DETAILS

Inspection Date 11/03/2003 Inspector Name Deborah Unsworth

p.1

SETTING DETAILS

Setting Name Charnwood Integrated Nursery and Family Centre Setting Address Charnwood Integrated Nursery Stockport Cheshire SK4 4RY

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

Charnwood Integrated Nursery and Family Centre is run by the Charnwood Trust from a purpose built two storey building in the Heaton Moor area of Stockport. The nursery was opened in 1978 and Jean Lee is the principal of the nursery and family centre. The nursery provides day care for a maximum of 50 full time equivalent children and one third of these children have special needs. The children with special needs live within Stockport and are provided with transport to and from the nursery. The majority of the mainstream children live within walking distance. There are currently 79 children on roll, this includes 12 funded three-year-olds, of whom three speak English as an additional language and 15 funded four-year olds, of whom one speaks English as an additional language. The local education authority funds 22 children with special educational needs. The nursery is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team, which includes teachers, a nurse, nursery nurses, special

p.2

Information about the setting

needs coordinators, speech and language therapists, physiotherapist and a family worker. The nursery opens from 9 a.m.-3.30 p.m. and there is a breakfast club which operates from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. and an after school club which operates from 3.30 p.m.-5 p.m. In the afternoon the ground floor of the building is used for an Opportunity Group, which is attended by both special needs and able-bodied children aged 0-4 years, who attend with their parent/carer. A special needs toy library is provided.

p.2

How effective is the nursery education?

Charnwood Inclusive Nursery and Family Centre offers a provision which helps children to make very good progress towards the Early Learning Goals in all six curriculum areas. Progress in personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy development and mathematics is particularly significant. Teaching is consistently very good. Staff create a stimulating environment and provide a wide range of interesting activities which engage and sustain children's interests and efforts. Staff's clear understanding of the Early Learning Goals and varied, exciting teaching methods lead to a well planned curriculum. Excellent relationships enable children to be confident and secure within the setting. Staff value children's individuality, care for them sensitively and meet their needs successfully. Very good monitoring and assessment systems for children are in place and are used to inform future planning. The provision and support for

p.3

How effective is the nursery education?

children with special needs is a strength of the setting. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well within the setting. The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents are provided with clear and detailed information about the setting and the educational provision. Many strong links established with parents make a positive contribution to children's learning. Staff value and respect parents as partners in children's care and education. The leadership and management of the setting is very good. Management are committed to developing staff through an effective appraisal system, training and regular meetings. They monitor and evaluate the provision for nursery education and are committed to improving the care and education for all who attend. Strong leadership supports a harmonious working environment and ensures high standards.

p.3

What is being done well?

Excellent relationships throughout the nursery enable children to be confident and secure within the setting, they enjoy activities and make very good progress in all six areas of learning. Staff's clear understanding of the Early Learning Goals leads to well planned, interesting and stimulating activities which engage and sustain children's interests and efforts. Provision for children who have special needs is exceptional. Strong leadership and management supports a harmonious working environment and ensures high standards. Partnership with parents is very good, staff clearly value parents suggestions and respect their views.

p.3

What has improved since the last inspection?

There were no key issues or points for consideration made at last inspection.

p.3

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children make very good progress in this area. Children are happy, confident and independent learners. They show a lively interest and enthusiasm for learning. Relationships are excellent throughout he nursery. Children treat each other with respect, they concentrate well in groups, taking turns and sharing fairly. Children's behaviour is very good, they are aware of behavioural expectations within the setting and respond positively to careful explanations from staff.

p.4

COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in this area. Children are good listeners and confident speakers, they communicate well with others and use language effectively to recall past events and experiences. Children understand that print carries meaning through the use of books and a rich print environment. Children show an enjoyment for books and handle them with confidence and independence. Children learn about letters and sounds, they recognise letters and use writing for a purpose.

p.4

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children make very good progress in this area. Children count, calculate, solve mathematical problems and learn about shape, space and measurement successfully in everyday activities. Children are interested in numbers and count confidently and reliably up to 20 and more able children beyond. Children recognise numbers up to 10 and learn about simple addition and subtraction. Children learn and use mathematical language very well and good displays support and consolidate children's learning.

p.4

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in this area. Through first hand experiences children explore, investigate and experiment using all their senses. Children talk about their environment, themselves and familiar experiences. Children build and construct with a wide range of materials, they use a variety of tools and techniques to design and make. Children use the computer with skill and confidence. They have a good understanding of computer programmes and cause and effect.

p.4

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children make very good progress in this area. Children move confidently and with control and coordination to music. They are confident in their actions and persevere with their efforts. Children enjoy physical activities and have a positive attitude to exercise. They use a wide range of large equipment both indoor and outdoor with developing skill. Children develop hand-eye coordination using a wide range of tools and materials safely and with increasing skill and control.

p.4

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Judgement: Very Good Children are making very good progress in this area. Children explore a wide range of stimulating and interesting materials using all their senses. They express their thoughts ideas and feelings in both two and three-dimensional work. Children sing songs from memory, use musical instruments to good effect and move with rhythm and purpose to music. Children use their imagination well, spontaneously and in planned activities. Children confidently take part in acting out stories.

p.5

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately: Y

p.5

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.6

WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT

There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following: Evaluate and improve the resources in the home area.

p.6