OFSTED NURSERY INSPECTION REPORT
URN EY242021
DfES Number: 595010

INSPECTION DETAILS
Inspection Date 19/01/2004
Inspector Name Rachael Mankiewicz

SETTING DETAILS
Day Care Type Full Day Care
Setting Name Ratcliffe College Nursery
Setting Address Ratcliffe College, Fosse Way
Ratcliffe on the Wreake
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE7 4SG

REGISTERED PROVIDER DETAILS
Name Ratcliffe College

ABOUT THE INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public that the nursery education for funded three and four year old children is of an acceptable quality. Inspection of nursery education also identifies strengths and weaknesses so that providers can improve the quality of educational provision and help children to achieve the early learning goals (elgs) by the end of the Foundation Stage. This inspection report must be made available to all parents.

If the setting has been inspected previously, an action plan will have been drawn up to tackle issues identified. This inspection, therefore, must also assess what progress has been made in the implementation of this plan.


Information about the setting
Ratcliffe College is an independent Catholic boarding school, which was established 150 years ago and currently has 610 pupils on roll. Children from other faiths are welcome. The children in the nursery section come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds, and from a wide area around Ratcliffe. The Nursery School has been open since 1998. It is housed in a purpose-built, separate unit comprising of four classrooms, two creative areas, an area for quiet activities, and associated facilities. There is a well-maintained, fenced outdoor area which includes a playground, grassed areas, an area with climbing apparatus, and a sensory garden. The children also have access to the park area the College is set in. The children access the College facilities including the refectory for lunch, and the swimming pool and sports hall.

The Nursery Unit has two Cygnet classes for the three to four year olds. The children are divided according to their age, and some of the children attend on a sessional basis. There are currently two reception classes (Swans four to five years of age). These children all attend on a full time basis, and are taught by qualified early years teachers, with the additional help of either a classroom assistant or a nursery nurse. The nursery unit manager teaches full-time with a group of Swans. There are six members of staff who work with the children all of the time, plus specialist teachers, and also care staff at lunch time and before and after school. Five of the main staff have relevant early years qualifications at level 3 or above and the sixth is working towards a relevant qualification. The staff have the knowledge and experience to support the children with special needs and those with English as their second language of communication.

INSPECTION OF THE NURSERY EDUCATION PROVISION FOR FUNDED THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS.

How effective is the nursery education?
The nursery school at Ratcliffe College provides very good nursery education, with children showing enthusiasm for learning through play. Generally, the children are making very good progress towards all of the early learning goals.

The quality of teaching is very good overall. The staff have a very good understanding of the Foundation Stage; seen through the planning of a wide range of interesting activities. Assessments are used very effectively to establish children's ability on entry and to enable children to continue to make good progress. Staff know the children very well, and adjust planning to cover any individual needs and interests, including challenge for the more able children. They have the knowledge and experience to support children with special educational needs or who are learning to speak English as an additional language. Staff encourage all children to take part in all activities, and every child's contributions are valued.

Good staff: child ratios allow for large and small group work within the nursery. Staff explain the purpose of activities clearly and make good use of questions to encourage children to think. The balance between structured activities and free play is good. Children show interest in the activities, and move around confidently. Staff promote good behaviour effectively and children react positively. The good interaction between the staff and children contributes to the learning and caring environment.

Leadership and management is very good overall. Staff have relevant qualifications. They show a commitment to the continuing improvement of the care and education offered by evaluating their practice and developing planning.

The partnership with parents and carers is very good. They are informed about their child's progress on an informal daily basis, receive reports, and can talk to staff at any time. Information on the Foundation Stage is comprehensive.

What is being done well?
  • Planning covers all the early learning goals in the six areas of learning. It effectively ensures that children's needs are acknowledged.
  • The effective teaching consists of a variety of suitable methods, and supports and challenges children accordingly. New skills and learning experiences are reinforced and consolidated appropriately to secure children's learning.
  • The provision is well resourced, and good use is made of the varied areas of the building, the equipment and other resources. Attractive displays and varied interest tables help create a stimulating learning environment.
  • The partnership with parents and carers is valued, allowing both parties to work for the benefit of the children and make a positive contribution to children's learning and progress.
  • Effective leadership and management systems maintain the good quality of the provision. The staff work together very well as a team and create a happy and purposeful atmosphere. Staff and management work together to plan and evaluate practice.

What needs to be improved?
  • Children's experience of everyday technology through operating simple equipment and programmable toys.
  • Opportunities for children to operate independently and take initiative in their learning experiences.

What has improved since the last inspection?

Two minor points for consideration were made at the last inspection. The dating of all entries of children's achievements and progress was suggested. This is now done and helps trace the children's progress overall. The introduction of questions regarding children's first language was also made a point for consideration. The relevant questions are now in place and used to help children's progress in learning when English is an additional language.


SUMMARY OF JUDGEMENTS

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Judgement: Very Good
The children show confidence, independence and perseverance as they move around the activities. Concentration skills are very good for all ages. The interaction between children and adults is very good. Children behave very well, within defined limits, and show care and consideration for others. They follow instructions well, and understand about personal responsibility around the College. Children develop an awareness of other cultures through interest in festivals and real life routines.
COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
Judgement: Very Good
The children communicate confidently; listening and taking turns in conversations. They use language for a wide range of purposes-such as sequencing stories and songs and conveying feelings about new experiences. All the children demonstrate how to use books, with the four-year-olds making good progress towards reading. Early mark-making skills are good; older ones write lists and label work. Most of the children recognise letters and their sounds, and extend this skill in writing and talking.
MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT
Judgement: Very Good
The children recognise numbers and are willing to count at every opportunity, with more able children working with large numbers. They compare different numbers of objects, learn about simple addition and subtraction, and begin to solve simple problems, with some more able children doing this with ease. Pattern making and sorting of objects is good. They are developing their knowledge of different shapes, including some 3-D objects, and understand concepts around position, size and weight.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
Judgement: Very Good
The children have a good awareness of the natural world and the changing seasons. They are able explore and investigate many different materials. They talk about past events in their life-time and events such as Poppy Day. They enjoy looking at the community, including transport and professions. Their awareness of their own families, their cultures and the beliefs of others is developing. Older children are adept at using computers, but they do not use many other mechanical resources.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Judgement: Very Good
The children explore a variety of ways of moving through dance, gym work and outdoor play. They confidently use apparatus and play ball games successfully. They handle an interesting range of materials, tools and small equipment, and their manipulative skills are good. Older children show a good awareness of their own physical needs, through good hygiene practices, challenging physical activities and looking at a healthy diet.
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Judgement: Very Good
The children enjoy taking part in role-play and story-telling. They work imaginatively with small-world resources, sand, water and other materials. Children experience a range of sensory experiences and learn to use different creative techniques, with older children communicating what they feel. They do not always have access to resources to work creatively. Children experience sound with an excellent range of instruments, music and singing and are able to repeat rhythms.
Children's spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is fostered appropriately.
OUTCOME OF THE INSPECTION
The provision is acceptable and is of high quality. Children are making very good progress towards the early learning goals. The next inspection will take place in three to four years time.
WHAT THE SETTING NEEDS TO DO NEXT
There are no significant weaknesses to report, but considerations should be given to improving the following:
  • There are no significant weaknesses to report, but consideration should be given to improving the following:
  • develop children's experience of everyday technology through operating simple equipment and programmable toys
  • increase opportunities for children to operate independently and take initiative by reviewing their access to resources.
The provider must draw up an action plan within 40 working days of receipt of this report showing how the key issues detailed above will be addressed. The action plan must be made available to all parents and to the Local Authority if required. An evaluation of the action taken will form part of the next inspection of funded nursery education.