Brookside Pre-school

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Brookside Pre-school Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 251427 Inspection date 09/12/2008 Inspector Cheryl Thompson

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Setting address Gusford School Grounds, Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9LQ Telephone number 07956 254213 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Brookside Pre-school has been registered since 1987 and operates from a demountable classroom in the grounds of Gusford Primary School on the outskirts of Ipswich. The demountable classroom is suitable for wheelchair access but the outside area is sloping and not easily accessible.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 20 children may attend the pre school at any one time. The pre- school is open each weekday from 09.00 to 11.30 and 12.55 to 15.25, term time only. Children have access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 48 children aged from three to under 5 years on roll. Of these, 44 children receive funding for nursery education. Children come from the local catchment area and wider community.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school employs seven staff. The staff hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Staff look after children well so that they are safe and secure. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning because there are appropriate opportunities for all to be engaged in an adequate range of activities and enjoy their time at Brookside. However, staff have had insufficient training to help them become skilful in assessing what children know, can do and understand, and then planning for their next steps in learning. Consequently, many opportunities are missed to help children learn at a better rate. Leadership and management are satisfactory but with recent changes in management, roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined. The capacity for further improvement is satisfactory.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 provide training for staff to increase their skills in assessing children’s learning and planning for the next steps  refine existing systems of planning to identify what it is children are expected to be learning when they undertake the activity  define clearly the roles for those undertaking the leadership and management of the setting.

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provision

Policies and practice for child protection, dealing with accidents and illness, and for checking the suitability of all adults who work with the children meet current requirements. Daily checks of equipment, the building and outside area ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they are safe for children to use. Staff ensure that all children are fully included in all the activities the setting provides. Improvement since the last inspection is satisfactory although there remains more to do to improve planning. Self evaluation is developing but not yet accurate because there is no clear understanding of what ‘good’ provision is like. Links with parents are good and they say they receive plenty of information about what goes on in the setting. Links with the primary school are satisfactory and developing well. Due to maternity leave and a change in management, there is not a always a clear picture

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provision

of who is responsible for certain aspects of the setting’s provision.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s personal, social and emotional development, communication skills, physical development and knowledge and understanding of the world are wide ranging but broadly typical for the age range. They make sound progress in their learning and personal development. They are keen to take part in the suitable range of activities on offer. For example, they enjoy making Christmas decorations by sticking glitter and foil to circles and squares. They delight in rolling dough and cutting out shapes. Children show great interest in books but there are limited opportunities for developing an understanding of letter sounds.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to be independent because they choose some activities and some are guided by adults. With their appropriate social skills and sound key skills they are satisfactorily prepared for the next stage of education. Children learn to share at snack time because they sit at a table together. They successfully take turns as staff talk to them and carefully guide them. Children learn effectively about how to eat healthily as they are offered fruits at snack time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s welfare is of great importance to all staff. They happily go to any member of staff because they all care for them well both in and out of doors. Records are kept in detail so that all are aware of the way accidents are handled. Parents appreciate that good systems are in place to ensure that only parents or known carers collect children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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