Spring Meadow Primary School & School House Nursery

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. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 114834 Inspection date 19/11/2008 Inspector Chris Mackinnon

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.2

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.

p.2

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.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1987. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the Ifield area of Crawley, West Sussex. The childminder's house is easily accessible and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. A fully enclosed garden and paved play area are available for outside activities. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of four minded children may attend at any one time. The childminder currently has three children on roll, all within the early years age range. The childminder makes regular outings to local shops, children's play areas and places of interest.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of individual children's interests and their learning development is effectively encouraged. Children are appropriately protected, but action is required to strengthen some aspects of the safeguarding policy and practice. The childminder's home is safely organised and secure and children enjoy many well organised learning activities, including frequent outdoor play. The childminder has established sound links with parents and takes care to ensure all the children attending are well cared for. Children make good learning progress and the childminder has a positive attitude to improvement, although her use of self-evaluation at this time is limited. Children benefit from access to well prepared play areas within the childminder's home and have regular planned outings to support their learning.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 increase self-evaluation to support reflective practice and promote improvement

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 update safeguarding practice and provide parents with written guidance on behaviour management and complaints procedure (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 05/01/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder has organised her home well for childcare, providing a range of well prepared play areas with many opportunities for creative and expressive learning. She plans and provides many stimulating activities and works closely with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual children to effectively support their learning and development. She is aware of the need for improvement and has a positive approach to development, but her self-evaluation is not developed and limits the scope of her reflective practice. The childminder's partnership with parents is well established, with several of the children she cares for attending since they were quite young. The childminder has made good links with parents, effectively gathering information on each child and encouraging parents to follow and support their children's learning progress. Children are kept secure and safe within the childminder's home, but

p.3

provision

some elements of the childminder's safeguarding practice are lacking and parents have limited information on behaviour management and how to make a complaint. An action has been raise to ensure the childminder meets these requirements. Regular safety checks are carried out and recorded on all areas used by children within the home, and the childminder has a sound awareness of the need for safety outdoors and when on outings.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder effectively supports children's learning progress and a clear strength in her provision is the range of spacious and well prepared play areas within her home. Children are provided with a stimulating learning environment where they can explore and be inventive. Children also benefit from a range of well planned activities, and their confidence with understanding shapes, colours and using words is effectively supported. The childminder is able to work closely with individual children, and takes care to encourage their interests and development. A particularly supportive feature of the childminder's practice are her planned outings, where children are encouraged to use their senses and have active learning experiences. Children's welfare is soundly supported and children are kept safe and closely supervised. The childminder's home is clean and organised, with regular safety checks undertaken and an appropriate range of safety features in place to ensure

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

children are secure and free from harm. Care is taken by the childminder to monitor children's growth and development, and children have healthy snacks and enjoy tasting new foods. Children are effectively encouraged to enjoy and achieve within the setting, soundly supported by planned activities and the opportunity to explore a range of well prepared play areas. Children play happily together, sharing play items and resources and developing their skills within an organised and considered learning environment. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.5

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.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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?

p.5

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

p.5

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

p.7

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.

p.7