Setting

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov. uk www.ofsted.gov.uk 13 February 2009

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The Joint Managers Little Orchard Pre-school Woodford Valley Primary School Middle Woodford Salisbury Wiltshire SP4 6NR

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and Numeracy – EY344612

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation during my visit on 10 February to look at work in literacy and numeracy.

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and Numeracy – EY344612

As outlined in the initial letter, the visit had a particular focus on how well you meet the needs of all children in relation to their literacy and numeracy, with particular consideration to those at risk of not reaching their full potential. The visit also evaluated the level of expertise to support children learning English as an additional language (EAL).

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and Numeracy – EY344612

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing settings but these will not be identified in the main text. All feedback letters will be published on the Ofsted website.

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and Numeracy – EY344612

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included interviews with you, scrutiny of relevant documentation, analysis of children’s work and observation of children’s play.

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and Numeracy – EY344612

The overall effectiveness of provision for literacy and numeracy was judged to be outstanding.

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Learning and development

The quality of learning and development is outstanding.

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Learning and development

• Children thoroughly enjoy the high quality literacy and numeracy activities provided and make quick progress in relation to their starting points. They enjoy practising new ideas in their play, such as finding items starting with ‘d’ hidden in the sand. • Children listen avidly to clearly read stories. They show their love of books by browsing through them individually in the inviting book area. There is no established scheme, however, which encourages all children to take favourite books home to share with their families. • Children use language confidently, are keen to contribute their thoughts and opinions and continually broaden their vocabularies. • Children are well nourished and ready to learn, and you continue to develop your practice through aiming for a ‘healthy settings’ award.

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Leadership and management of literacy and numeracy

The quality of leadership and management is outstanding.

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Leadership and management of literacy and numeracy

• You both provide clear leadership to the able staff team. You make effective use of specific training in literacy to improve the outcomes for children, helping them learn letter sounds quickly, for example. • You get to know the children and their families extremely well. You provide excellent support for children transferring to the adjacent primary school, adapting transitions to suit children’s individual needs. • You and your staff know children’s capabilities extremely well and make skilled use of questioning to take children’s learning forward during both adult-led and spontaneous activities.

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English as an additional language

• No children learning English as an additional language attend currently. • Staff have not undertaken any training in supporting children learning English as an additional language.

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How well does the provision promote inclusive practice?

Inclusion in literacy and numeracy is outstanding.

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How well does the provision promote inclusive practice?

• You integrate all children fully into the pre-school, planning and recording their individual learning through personal ‘learning journeys’.

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Areas for development, which we discussed, included:

• implementing the planned book borrowing scheme, to encourage all children to share books with their families at home • seeking training to support children learning English as an additional language, if required.

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Areas for development, which we discussed, included:

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop literacy and numeracy in your setting.

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Areas for development, which we discussed, included:

As was explained in the previous letter, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on the Ofsted website. It will also be available to the inspector for your next inspection.

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