Parkside Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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143355 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2006 Inspection date Michele, Karen Beasley Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000 and lives with her own two children, one school age and one pre-school age, in a terraced property in Portsmouth. Most areas of the property are registered for childminding, however the childminder chooses to use the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play, and the childminder lives within walking distance of local pre-schools, schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and currently cares for 5 children on a part time basis, 4 of whom are under 5 years. She is also registered for overnight care for 2 children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also a support childminder to new childminders.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children gain an excellent understanding of healthy eating as the childminder provides a wide range of healthy snacks and meals. They enjoy a nutritious two course cooked meal and are introduced to a range of healthy options, which are planned on a weekly menu and shared with parents. These include roast dinners, pasta, mild chicken curry and vegetables. Children enjoy a selection of sandwiches, salad vegetables and yoghurts at lunch times and benefit from healthy snacks, such as fruit, breadsticks and rice cakes throughout the day. They talk about why certain foods are good for them recognising they help their bodies to grow and muscles to work. Children’s individual dietary requirements and preferences are fully respected because the childminder obtains detailed written information from parents and uses this to guide her planning, ensuring their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children talk about why they need to wash their hands before meal times and after using the toilet as they confidently follow excellent personal hygiene routines. They remain healthy and thrive in the provision because the childminder has a secure understanding of how to promote hygiene and implements highly effective policies and procedures to ensure their health is well maintained. Children benefit from ample opportunities to engage in physical activities on a regular basis, helping to increase their understanding of the importance of taking regular exercise. They enjoy wonderful opportunities to play in the childminder’s garden and benefit from regular trips to local parks where they increase their confidence using a range of larger and more challenging apparatus. This helps to develop children’s co-ordination and their understanding of spatial awareness. Children learn how their bodies work because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder talks to them about the things they need to help their body grow, re-enforcing the importance of healthy eating, exercise and the need for rest. Children independently help themselves to drinking water from a water dispenser, recognising when they are hot and thirsty after playing outside with bats and balls in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder is vigilant, implementing safety checks and risk assessments on a daily basis, and giving high priority to ensure their safety at all times. They learn how to keep themselves safe, for example because they talk through the procedures should an emergency evacuation be necessary and practise fire drills with the childminder. Children learn how to use a range of tools competently and safely, for example knives and scissors, and recognise potential dangers. Children’s safety is ensured when on outings and in emergency situations because the childminder obtains written parental consent and implements highly effective procedures, which contribute to ensuring their safety, both in her home, garden and on visits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a designated playroom allowing them to move freely and safely within the childminder’s home. They freely access a vast array of suitable and safe play materials and resources, developing their independence and encouraging them to make their own choices

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. about their play. Children are well protected and their safety is promoted because the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role with regard to child protection. She ensures detailed policies and procedures are implemented effectively in practice, including arrangements for the collection of children and emergency cover, and has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and how to follow these where concerns are raised.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well supported and become increasingly confident and self assured with the childminder. Children communicate exceptionally well and enjoy cuddles as they snuggle in to the childminder and share familiar stories. They talk confidently about the pictures and begin to make connections between stories and events in their own lives. Children become competent learners as they show excellent independence cutting with scissors and handling pencils. They enjoy representing their own ideas and use their imagination to explore creativity as they make pirate boats, sticking on buttons for cannons, dance to music and explore different sounds and rhythm on the computer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in an exciting range of activities and experiences, such as observing caterpillars and making cakes because the childminder has a firm understanding of how young children learn. She uses her knowledge of individual children and observations made from activities to plan future experiences, ensuring children learn to take the next steps in their development when they are ready and thrive in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children play a full part in planning their own activities and places to visit after school and during the holidays, helping to ensure experiences are based around their individual interests. They enjoy an exciting and varied range of experiences, including physical and creative play and activities and visits to places such as the city museum, woods, country parks and the beach.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. The childminder has an exceptionally secure knowledge and understanding of the Foundation Stage curriculum and recognises how children learn most effectively. She plans an extensive range of exciting and stimulating activities and experiences linked to the stepping stones, enabling children to make rapid strides in their learning. Children’s existing skills and achievements are highly valued and the childminder ensures these are consolidated fully before introducing new skills and knowledge. She uses thorough assessment of children’s progress and her expert knowledge of their needs and interests to plan the next steps in their individual learning. This ensures children are able to develop at their own pace and receive effective support and sufficient challenge in all activities. As a result, children thrive in the setting and are able to achieve their full potential as young

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s independence is exceptional. They help themselves to drinking water from a water dispenser and freely select an extensive range of materials and resources across the provision, putting them away again when they have finished. Children enjoy opportunities to plant and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. observe changes in the strawberries they are growing. They relish from superb opportunities to investigate mini beasts outside, collect shells from the beach and use magnifying glasses and tape measures to compare and explore different features and size.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes excellent use of routines, such as snack time to develop children’s understanding of mathematical concepts. They confidently count and compare the pieces of fruit, solve number problems helping to develop the concept of sharing, and discuss and compare different size, shape and weight. Children have extensive opportunities to freely explore and experience a wide range of textures and media, including paint, water, collage materials and corn flour dough. Children handle an excellent range of tools and materials with ease and confidence, including a wide range of technology including a computer. They play a dynamic role in their learning developing high levels of curiosity, imagination and concentration. They are purposefully engaged throughout their time with the childminder and have an excellent attitude to learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and self-assured in the childminder’s care and show consideration and genuine concern as they learn to share and co-operate, recognising that this is the kind thing to do. They show a real sense of security and belonging and are confident and highly valued by the childminder. Children thrive as they initiate their own learning and value their achievements as well as those of others. Their behaviour is exceptional and they learn to take responsibility, for example by packing away and making their own choices. They gain a well-developed respect for others and their beliefs as they learn about themselves and the wider world through a wide varied range of activities and experiences linked to topics. This includes learning about animals, hot and cold countries around the world and traditions people follow. Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop excellent relationships with one another and delight in joining together in their play. The childminder’s interaction with children is superb and she has an exceptional knowledge of their individual needs, likes and interests, enabling each child to reach their full potential whilst in her care. The childminder has experience of working with children who have special needs. She would be happy to liaise with parents and other agencies to support them in making secure progress. All children benefit from excellent working relationships between the childminder and their parents. Exceptionally strong links are in place between home and the setting, for example through the implementation of daily diaries and informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day. Parents are well informed about the childminder’s service through an outstanding portfolio, which includes very detailed policies and procedures, a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

comprehensive notice board and a vast array of photographs and children's work displayed in the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents of children who receive nursery education is outstanding. Individual targets are set by the childminder and parents identify how they can each best support and extend children’s development in these specific areas through activities, both at home and in the setting. Parents are helped to understand the links between play and their child’s development and have extensive opportunities to discuss and receive written information about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. their child’s individual progress and next steps for development. As a result, children’s learning is enhanced because parents are fully able to contribute to their development and play an active and full role in their early education.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive high quality care and education enabling them to thrive and achieve because the childminder is highly effective in promoting excellent outcomes for children. Extremely detailed policies and procedures and well organised documentation ensures children are secure, safe and their welfare promoted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children benefit greatly from the enthusiasm of the childminder, inspirational teaching and her wealth of knowledge and experience. She makes excellent use of her time to ensure all children receive the individual attention they need and makes exceptional use of the Foundation Stage curriculum to ensure they are provided with an extensive range of play experiences matched to their individual learning needs and interests. Organisation and management of nursery education is outstanding. The childminder is a support childminder for new childminders and is supported by her co-ordinator from the accredited childminding network. Highly effective and efficient systems are in place to monitor and evaluate all aspects of the curriculum, teaching and children’s individual progress. She strives to improve her practice and performance as she continually assesses herself and identifies training to increase her skills and enhance her already

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Organisation

well established practice; ensuring children receive maximum benefits from their time in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder was asked to provide opportunities for children to pour their own drinks. The children independently help themselves to drinking water from a water dispenser and are encouraged to pour their own drinks during snack and meal times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

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