Setting

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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1 October 2008 Ms E Carruthers Redcliffe Children’s Centre Spencer House Ship Lane Redcliffe Bristol BS1 6RR

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Ofsted subject survey: good practice in promoting equality

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, at Redcliffe Children’s Centre during my visit on 29 September 2008 to look at work in promoting equality.

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Ofsted subject survey: good practice in promoting equality

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 institutions, but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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Ofsted subject survey: good practice in promoting equality

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included: Observations of practice in the nursery and discussions with yourself and the staff.

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Ofsted subject survey: good practice in promoting equality

The quality of provision to promote equalities is outstanding.

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Features of good practice observed

 Whole staff commitment to inclusion. This is evident through policies and practices through-out the centre. Positive role models within the staff team.  Excellent links with parents through outreach work, home visits and the warm welcome they receive in the nursery. Direct work with parents, for example, through Fathers Groups and Toddlers Groups, supports parents in playing with their children and supporting their learning.  Respectful relationships between staff, children and parents. As a result, parents feel able to participate in nursery activities such as ‘Welcome Time’ and Forest School visits or to stay in the nursery and play with their child.  Children’s development monitored through Learning Diaries which inform parents of progress and help them to recognise their child’s learning journey.  Careful planning at group times which takes account of children’s individual development and supports their progress.

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Features of good practice observed

 A strong emphasis on developing children’s language skills by all staff including the effective use of signing, symbols and music. Specialist language support in small groups for those children with an identified need. This enables children to fully access the learning opportunities in the nursery.

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Areas for development

 Identify criteria by which success will be measured to show progress with the Diversity Action plan  Provide more encouragement to parents to contribute to their child’s Learning Diary.

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Areas for development

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop promoting equalities in the Centre .

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Areas for development

As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on Ofsted’s website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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