OFSTEAD REPORT - NOVEMBER 1999

OFSTED REPORT
November 1999: Main findings Of The Inspection

The strengths and weaknesses of the educational provision

Southernwood is a high quality nursery where the children thrive in the stimulating environment provided
by skilled and caring staff. By the time they are five years old most children will have achieved the desirable learning outcomes in the six areas of learning.

The programme for PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT is good. Staff have a behaviour management policy that emphasises praise and encouragement. The children are very well behaved, are helpful, and care for one another. They work well independently, and some are able to concentrate and persevere on self-selected activities, even without the intervention of an adult. Children have explored aspects of different cultures, but there are few day-to-day resources in the nursery which reflect Britain's diversity.

The programme for LANGUAGE AND LITERACY is extremely good. Children are articulate, use their imaginations, and are learning to think for themselves. They express their ideas using a wide range of vocabulary. There is a well-planned programme to introduce letters and their associated sounds. Children are developing early writing skills, and are using them in real and imaginary situations.

The programme for MATHEMATICS is also very good, and is given high priority. Staff use practical activities in all areas of the curriculum to develop the children's mathematical understanding. Children are confident in counting, reading and writing numerals. They use mathematical language in every day activities.

The programme for KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING of the world is good, with many opportunities for the children to talk about themselves, their families and events in their lives. Good use is made of the garden areas to encourage children to care for the environment, and observe changes as things grow. Children have access to a range of materials and equipment for building and making models. There is some provision for the children to explore and use technology, but teaching them to use equipment such as the tape recorder would strengthen
this area.

The programme for PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT is good. Staff plan to teach and extend skills such as climbing and balancing, throwing, catching and bouncing balls. Children move confidently and with good co-ordination, and are developing sound body skills, such as running, jumping and dancing.

The programme for CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT is good. Children's imaginations and senses are stimulated in a wide variety of ways. They take part in music, drama, art and craft activities. They are developing competence in using a good range of materials to express their ideas. The work they produce is valued by staff and parents, and is attractively displayed.

The planning of the EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME is comprehensive and effective. Weekly plans cover all six areas, giving appropriate emphasis to personal and social development, language and literacy, and mathematics. Activity cards show what children are expected to learn, and the resources needed. There is good provision for individual and group work. Staff keep records of children's participation to inform
subsequent planning.

The quality of the TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT is good and promotes the desirable learning outcomes. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They relate well to the children and provide many suitable and stimulating activities to develop the children's skills and abilities. They explain clearly and encourage children to think. They are sensitive to individual needs. Useful assessments are made of children's development across the six areas of learning, and in particular in language and literacy and mathematics. Staff regularly review their
teaching and assessment.

Very good PLANNING AND TEACHING ensure that all children have access to the full range of activities and resources. There is appropriate provision for children with special educational needs, and staff work closely with their parents. Resources are generally good but consideration should be given to extending children's use of technology, and providing positive images of racial and cultural diversity. The accommodation is suitable
and used effectively. It is adaptable for different purposes. Overall, resources and accommodation have a positive effect on children's learning.

1140288 V5.07
2 November 1999

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