Information Bulletin
28 June 2006
Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMIe) are impressed with Sandwick Junior High School's Nursery Class
Sandwick Junior High School’s Nursery Class was inspected in March 2006 by the Care Commission and HM Inspectorate of Education, using the National Care Standard and The Child at the Centre quality indicators.
HMIe found that staff had developed very positive relationships with children, and that they had a sound knowledge of children’s development and play learning. HMIe found that there were very good arrangements in place to support children at the point of transfer from nursery to Primary 1.
HMIe noted the following:
- A good programme for emotional, personal and social development was in place, where children were happy, secure and comfortable. Staff had created a warm and caring environment by using praise and encouragement.
- A very good programme for communication and language, in which children listened well to stories and each other during social activities. Parents acting as scribes for their children in a diary about puppets receives a mention.
- A very good programme for knowledge and understanding of the world, in which there were opportunities to learn about science, technology, information and communications technology (ICT) and mathematics.
- A very good programme for expressive and aesthetic development enabled children to express feelings and thoughts through painting, drawing, modelling, printing and collage. Children learned about weaving wire baskets from the artist in residence.
- A very good programme for physical development and movement, which encouraged the children to run, jump, skip and hop with confidence. The children were becoming aware of the importance of health and fitness.
When the Inspectorate looked at the support that Sandwick nursery was giving for children and families, they found that staff knew the children well and responded to their individual needs and circumstances appropriately.
The report concluded with the following key strengths:
- The very well-developed playroom and outdoor areas used to develop learning across the curriculum.
- The commitment of the Head Teacher, recently-appointed principal teacher and nursery team to improving the service.
- The very effective programmes in communication and language, knowledge and understanding of the world, expressive and aesthetic development and physical development and movement.
Recommendations for improvement were suggested as follows:
- Planning should be further developed.
- Parents have regular access to children’s profiles.
- Staff could develop opportunities for parents to be more involved in their children’s learning.
HMIe also suggested that the needs of all children be met, with the provision of appropriately challenging activities, and that the process of monitoring and self-evaluation be improved.
Sandwick Junior High School have developed an action plan and have begun to address the recommendations contained in the report.
Neil Galbraith, Interim Head of Education, said of the report, “This is another very good report for a Shetland nursery, which reflects the dedication and hard work of our early years staff. We can be confident that Sandwick Junior High School is giving its pupils a very good start to their education.”
Ends