Ofsted Reports
Quotes from our last Ofsted report (June 2007)
Helping children to be healthy
The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a very clean environment where staff follow effective health and hygiene practices, which help to sustain children’s good health. For instance, staff clean toys and equipment regularly, and wash tables with appropriate anti-bacterial sprays before children sit down to eat. From an early age children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. For example, children wash their hands before they eat their snacks, and after visiting the toilet. They are encouraged to wash their hands after digging in the soil, and understand why they need to wash the freshly picked vegetables and soft fruit they have grown, before eating them during snack time.
Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe
The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a welcoming and well-organised environment which enables them to move around safely and freely. Children’s creative work is displayed during the session while it dries, and a display of children’s previous creative work, and appropriate posters adds to the welcoming environment. Children use a wide range of good quality toys and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Toys and equipment is easily accessible, enabling children to make choices, and take the initiative during their play and learning. Staff have made effective use of the available space within the hall. For instance, they use the hallway effectively for snack time and for role play areas. Children are able to freely use the outdoor play area which is accessible during every session to offer them further learning opportunities.
Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do
The provision is good. Children are warmly greeted by staff when they first arrive and confidently enter the pre-school setting and immediately involve themselves in play. Younger children who show signs of distress, are immediately picked up by staff and comforted. They are taken over to the window so they are able to wave their parents 'goodbye', while staff reassure them that their parents will come back. This helps young children develop secure and trusting relationships. Children relate well to staff and confidently approach staff for support during their play. They are encouraged to talk about important people in their lives such as their grandparents. This helps children develop a sense of belonging within the setting.
Nursery Education
The quality of teaching and learning is good. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals and are engaged and enthusiastic when they take part in the activities. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, and staff are skilful at providing activities based on children’s interests. For instance, staff previously noticed that children were showing an interest in using the constructional toys to make rockets. Staff then planned a relevant creative activity involving music and dance, which eventually covered all key areas of learning. This allows children to resist distractions and helps to develop their concentration, because activities are capturing children’s interests.
Helping children make a positive contribution
The provision is good. Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. Staff encourage and support all children so they can maximise the experiences and enjoyment of the activities on offer. Planned activities help children appreciate other cultures. For instance, one of the parents has talked to the children about a national dish she makes, which they have sampled and eaten by using their fingers. Children have also used chopsticks to eat Chinese food when celebrating Chinese New Year. This helps children to learn to appreciate and value each other’s culture by discussing similarities and differences.
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