Brookside School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 134128 Inspection date 20/10/2011 Inspector Janet Thouless

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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.

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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

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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 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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1986. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for children's outside play. The family has a pet chinchilla. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time; of these, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group on a part-time basis. She offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming, family home where the childminder knows them well. As a result, children are settled and enjoy their time with the childminder and their friends. They are safe and secure, although there is no record of risk assessment for the home to use to review their safety. The childminder suitably works in partnership with parents to identify and meet children's individual needs though the use of assessment is still being developed. The childminder has begun to evaluate her service to identify any action required. This will help to check that her provision is continually improving to meet the welfare, learning and development needs of children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 03/11/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop assessment that includes starting points to plan the next steps in each child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded and the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures. Parents are made aware of her child protection policy so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns. All adults in the home are suitably vetted. Most required documentation is maintained though some includes out-of-date wording. The childminder assesses risks in the home and checks that necessary safety precautions are in place. For example, smoke alarms are in working order, safety gates are fitted and a fire blanket is placed in the kitchen. However, there is no written risk assessment for the home identifying what needs to be checked; how often and by whom. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of areas of her provision to improve and has appropriately addressed all recommendations raised at the previous inspection. However, she has yet to put in place procedures to effectively monitor and

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the early years provision

evaluate what is offered to the children.

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the early years provision

The range of play equipment is well maintained, suitable for the ages of all the children attending and offers interesting variety. Space is used appropriately and some child-accessible storage is provided. This supports children to self-select resources and make choices about their play. As a result, this helps to promote their decision-making and independence skills. The childminder has a sound understanding of equality issues and has a positive attitude towards diversity. She helps children to develop a suitable awareness of their own and other cultures. The childminder works to provide an enabling and inclusive environment and she makes parents and their children feel welcome. She checks that activities are accessible to all of the children and adapts activities to meet their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with parents and carers. As a result, she knows about the culture and background of each child to help meet their individual needs and provide continuity of care. Through daily conversations and with the use of a daily diary, parents are kept informed about their child's day. There are currently no children who attend other early years provisions. The childminder satisfactorily demonstrates a willingness to work with other professionals and agencies to meet the individual needs of children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled in the childminder's home. They take part in a variety of activities and experiences that are appropriately based on their interests and needs. Children become independent as they help themselves to toys and play materials and confidently ask the childminder for toys that are out of reach. The childminder happily obliges. They develop their early language and literacy skills as they practise new words when looking at favourite books and recognise and name a range of farm animals. The childminder extends their learning by introducing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 rhyming and descriptive words, for example, 'crunchy, munchy carrots', 'shiny apples' and 'smooth, green grass', which the children thoroughly enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

Children count confidently and sort and match as they organise vehicles or join in with a game. Younger children are interested in the use of programmable resources so that their skills for the future are developing suitably. Children find out about the world around them during a walk in the park or as they walk to the local shops; they discuss people in the community who help them. They enjoy colouring and painting and expressing their thoughts and ideas as they create leaving cards for teachers. The childminder knows children well. However, she does not make regular observations of their achievements to link these into her activity plans. As a result, children's experiences do not yet effectively build on their knowledge and skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow appropriate hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before and after eating, to help protect them from the risk of cross-infection. They benefit from regular snacks provided by the childminder and meals that they bring with them from home. They enjoy outings to the local park where they play on the swings and slides as part of a healthy lifestyle. Children begin to learn to keep themselves safe as they are gently reminded not to run inside. Children behave appropriately as they are enthusiastic and motivated; they benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement offered by the childminder. They gain confidence as the childminder acknowledges them as valued individuals. Overall, children are happy and settled so that they enjoy their time with the childminder. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

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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

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