Brackenfield School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 121757 Inspection date 16/02/2011 Inspector Alison Weaver

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1996. She has a recognised childcare qualification. She lives with one adult daughter in a house in Seaford. The ground floor and lower ground floor are used for childminding. There are stairs giving access to the lower ground floor playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, well occupied and make very good progress in all areas of learning. Their health, safety and emotional well-being are promoted well by a caring and supportive childminder who is focused on meeting their individual needs. The majority of the documentation to support the childminder in her role, is in place and used effectively. Overall, the partnership with parents is strong and parents are kept well informed about their child's progress and welfare. The childminder shows a willingness and commitment to continually seeking to improve outcomes for children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for every type of outing and trip  develop further the opportunities for parents to contribute to children's learning and the ongoing assessment process.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder shows a good understanding of how to proceed if she suspects a child is being abused or neglected. She is fully aware of her responsibility to safeguard children in her care. High priority is given to children's safety and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 security. She ensures that all hazards both indoors and outdoors are minimised effectively so that children can play free from harm. The childminder takes effective safety precautions when taking children on outings. However, she has not included every type of outing in her record of risk assessment to fully ensure she has identified and addressed all hazards when taking children out. All other required documentation that helps protect and safeguard children's welfare is in place and well maintained.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder makes excellent use of the resources, wall displays and different areas in her home to support children's learning and development. Children clearly benefit from having a dedicated playroom with easy access to an adjacent toilet. The easily accessible toys and resources are of high quality and kept in good condition. The childminder is fully aware of the need to make her childcare accessible and inclusive to all children. She works closely with parents and professionals to provide a safe and caring environment for individual children who need additional support to enable them to make progress and overcome any barriers. All children are taught to respect others and to develop a positive attitude to differences in society.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents are provided with a good range of helpful written information about the childminder and her practices. They are also helped to develop an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. New parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child and the childminder uses this information well as a starting point for her planning for individual children. Ongoing feedback about children's progress and the two-way sharing of relevant information about children is actively promoted by the childminder although not all parents make use of these opportunities to get involved in their child's learning and assessment. This is an ongoing area for development. The childminder has established excellent links with providers who share the care and education of individual children. This successfully promotes continuity and coherence of children's learning and meets their welfare needs.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very passionate about her work and keen to develop her skills and practices. She regularly attends training and makes very good use of what she learns to improve outcomes for children. The childminder actively seeks advice and suggestions from other childcare workers, parents and children. She is willing to try out different ways of working and has carried out various systems of evaluation that have enabled her to identify areas for development that have benefited children in her care.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have a wonderful time with the childminder. They quickly settle when they arrive as the childminder ensures that she has activities ready that will engage their interest. The childminder gets to know the children well and regularly observes them to assess their progress. She uses the information she gains effectively to plan further activities that she knows will help each child continue to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder also makes sure that she uses children's interests when planning activities and further experiences for them so that they enjoy their time with her. She actively introduces experiences that she feels will encourage certain children to take part in activities that they do not usually get involved in, to help widen their interests and skills.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder builds excellent relationships with the children and helps promote their learning as they play. Children have access to an excellent range of toys and resources that are used well by the childminder to promote their learning, including simple technological toys. She is skilled at questioning the children to extend their thoughts and ideas. This results in children being very confident speakers who readily share their experiences with one another. They build very good relationships with their peers and happily play together. They show a strong sense of security and belonging as they make their own choices of where they want to play and what they want to do. Children play safely with the toys and move around the home freely. They show high levels of independence as they are encouraged to make their own decisions and to solve problems themselves. Children develop a good understanding of diversity as they take part in varied

p.6

and outcomes for children

activities that help support this, for example, food tasting and crafts from around the world.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have fun as they colour in their life size outlines of themselves. They concentrate well and become absorbed as they draw in their features and chat together about what they look like. They show that their gross and fine motor skills are developing well as they use different tools successfully and play outside on the ride-ons. They enjoy playing in the tent and ask their friends for help to fasten up the door. Children spend a long time lining up all the toy vehicles around the room. Children count together and learn about colours and shapes. They like to play with the water tray and can be heard using their imagination well as they play with the different creatures.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted exceptionally well. The childminder provides very healthy meals and snacks for the children. They develop an excellent understanding of healthy eating as the childminder makes really good use of her displays in the kitchen at meal times to talk about what they see on the pictures and posters. They discuss what foods are good to eat and have opportunities to grow what they eat. Children show that their understanding of good personal hygiene is developing extremely well. They talk about good hygiene and the posters in their own toilet remind them of the importance of hand washing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8