Effra Nursery School and Children's Centre

Effra Early Years Centre Inspection report

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100551 Unique Reference Number Lambeth Local Authority 276326 Inspection number 25 April 2006 Inspection date Vanessa Ward Reporting inspector

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This inspection of the school was carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005.

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Nursery Type of school Community School category 3 °4 Age range of pupils Mixed Gender of pupils Number on roll School

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The governing body Appropriate authority Sue Whitaker Chair Ann Hitchins Not previously inspected Date of previous school inspection 35 Effra Parade School address London SW2 1PL

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02077338425 Telephone number 02077336791 Fax number

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3 °4 Age group 25 April 2006 Inspection date 276326 Inspection number .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Further copies of this report are obtainable from the school. Under the Education Act 2005, the school must provide a copy of this report free of charge to certain categories of people. A charge not exceeding the full cost of reproduction may be made for any other copies supplied.

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Introduction

The inspection was carried out by two Additional Inspectors.

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Description of the school

Effra Early Years Centre has just moved into new purpose-built premises and is in the process of increasing its links with the community, providing care for children from birth to three and extending its provision for nursery children beyond the school day. Sixty children currently attend the nursery part-time and sixty full-time. More than half the school's population is drawn from families of African and Caribbean heritages. There are twenty four different languages represented amongst the children and more than a quarter are in the early stages of learning English. Just under half of the children are eligible for free school meals. A fifth have learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Key for inspection grades

Outstanding Grade 1 Good Grade 2 Satisfactory Grade 3 Inadequate Grade 4 3 of 7 Inspection Report: Effra Early Years Centre, 25 April 2006

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What the school should do to improve further

* Ensure the teaching and the gathering and recording of day-to-day assessment is of a consistently high standard in all groups.

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Grade:

Teaching and learning are good because the staff plan work which meets the children's differing needs. The quality of teaching has improved since the previous inspection. The children are keen to learn because the staff stimulate their interest through exciting activities. For example, observing and touching snails attracted the interest of many children. The quality of relationships contributes significantly to the children's confidence and helps them to view themselves as successful learners. The children are clearly valued by all of the staff and this helps to boost their self-esteem. The children who speak little English quickly develop the confidence to take part in activities and attempt to communicate. Whilst teaching is good overall, there are some inconsistencies. For example, the staff generally encourage speaking well, but sometimes opportunities are missed to develop speaking by skillful questioning of the children. Children

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Grade:

with learning difficulties and disabilities are supported well and this contributes to their good progress. The school has developed a very thorough and comprehensive system of assessment which takes careful account of individual needs. This is largely used to good effect. However, there is some variation in the rigour with which the staff collect and record assessment data.

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Grade:

The curriculum is rich and stimulating and enables the children to achieve well because it is planned carefully to meet their individual needs. A wide range of activities is available to the children each day and these contribute to their enjoyment of learning. Activities in all areas of learning, indoors and outside, interest and engage the children. A strength of the curriculum is that personal independence and basic skills, in particular language development, are given significant focus and are promoted well in most activities. Planning clearly addresses the wide range of abilities. However, the school has identified the need to develop a policy relating to healthy eating to support and clarify its practice. Teaching about health and safety, combined with the promotion of good relationships, enhances the children's personal development. The curriculum is enriched by visits out of school that are closely linked to the children's targets

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Grade:

for learning. 4 of 7 Inspection Report: Effra Early Years Centre, 25 April 2006

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The school cares well for its children and promotes their health and safety effectively. Particular strengths are the school's links with parents and carers and with external specialists who visit the school. These links are very successful in promoting the well-being and development of all of the children. Parents appreciate all that the school does, in particular the individual care which their children receive. One parent wrote, 'The staff are both friendly and understanding. My child is flourishing.' Systems for child protection and risk assessment are effective. The needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities are carefully considered and this helps to raise their self-esteem. Children who are learning English as an additional language are supported effectively and quickly grow in confidence. Some opportunities are provided for children to review how well they are doing, but children are not routinely made aware of their

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Grade:

5 of 7 Inspection Report: Effra Early Years Centre, 25 April 2006 .

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Grade:

in the guidance 'Complaints about school inspection', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. 6 of 7 Inspection Report: Effra Early Years Centre, 25 April 2006

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

Children We enjoyed our visit to your school very much. Thank you for helping us to find out about it.You really enjoy your school because there are many exciting things to do and learn. All the grown-ups look after you very well. This helps you to feel happy and safe in school. Your mums and dads think that your school is a good place to be and we agree with them. The grown-ups give you really interesting things to do and they know what each of you needs to learn. This helps you to learn about lots of things. They are good at teaching you and checking how well you are learning. We have asked them to do this even better so that you can learn more. You listen well when the grown-ups talk to you. You are good at sharing and taking turns. You behave especially well at lunchtimes and clear away your plates very sensibly.We hope you carry on enjoying your school and working hard. Best Wishes Vanessa Ward Lead Inspector

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Text from letter to pupils explaining the findings of the inspection

7 of 7 Inspection Report: Effra Early Years Centre, 25 April 2006

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