Muriel Green Nursery School

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Muriel Green Nursery and Pre-School Church Crescent St. Albans Hertfordshire AL3 5JB Our Reference EY225164

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Dear The Governing Body of Muriel Green Nursery and Pre-School

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Lorraine Meldrum Sunter, monitored your provision on 13/02/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 29/07/2013, we sent you a notice to improve.

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Outcome of monitoring

The notice required you to improve staff's knowledge of how children learn and develop with a focus on the prime areas of learning so that a quality learning experience for children is consistently provided; review children's progress between the ages of two and three years and provide parents with a short summary of their child's development in the prime areas and involve other professionals, such as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator as necessary; ensure that information gained through observation is used to track children's progress in order to ensure that any learning and development needs are addressed with partnership with parents/carers and any relevant professionals; identify a named SENCO to support children with additional learning needs; ensure consideration is given to individual needs, interests and stage of development of each child is to support their development and progress; and plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all of the

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Outcome of monitoring

areas of learning and development; improve the two-way flow of information with parents so that they are well informed about children's learning at nursery and can support children's learning at home; ensure all staff are aware of food hygiene and are good role models in promoting hygiene to children; ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for the supervision of staff. Supervision should foster a culture of mutual support, teamwork and continuous improvement.

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Outcome of monitoring

A monitoring visit was undertaken on 02 October 2013. It was found that overall progress made since the last inspection was satisfactory. All issues identified at the inspection had been addressed. A further monitoring visit was undertaken on 13 February 2014 to establish what further improvements had been made and to assess how all have been sustained.

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Outcome of monitoring

A further training day was held jointly with the staff from the maintained school room. The focus of the day was about inspiring children to explore differing areas of their room, by ensuring activities are purposeful and based on the next steps identified for individual children's learning. Staff reviewed the room arrangements, critiquing and assessing how they could further develop resources to enhance the play provision. Rainbow room has introduced new resources for maths, and has re- instated the maths area. The head teacher regularly monitors the quality of the provision by completing weekly focussed 'walk arounds', observing practice within the setting. Planned meetings are held with room staff to discuss ongoing improvements, what they are achieving and how. An electronic system has been introduced to record and track the progress of children's learning. This is used in conjunction with each child's individual learning

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Outcome of monitoring

journal assessment, and identifies three different levels for the next steps to progress their learning. The manager has a termly overview of the progress made in each of the rooms for individual children's learning and development. An assessment overview inline with 'A Unique Child' is completed termly. However, not all files contain the report and therefore progress for all children is not secure. The data collected on the electronic system is also filtered into staff performance and used in supervision discussion to identify how individual children are supported in their development by their key person.

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Outcome of monitoring

Progress summaries for each child between the age of two and three are continually updated through the new recording system, along with short termly reports for all children attending. The provision is now planning the next consultation meetings for parents to attend and discuss their child's progress. These meetings have been positively received by parents, appreciating the opportunity for discussion.

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Outcome of monitoring

Internal communication has been further improved by ensuring staff provide daily feedback at handover time. Information that needs to be given to parents is recorded in a message book and checked daily. Staff ensure they are knowledgeable about the children in their room and that feedback given to parents is specific about their child's day.

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Outcome of monitoring

A comprehensive performance management system is now embedded. Supervision meetings are held six weekly or more frequently if there is a need. Staff competencies and performance is measured in line with the supervision meetings. Mid term staff reviews are currently in progress which identify any training and performance needs.

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Outcome of monitoring

The provision has sustained and made further improvement since the last inspection, the next visit will be a full inspection. Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education

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