Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community 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. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 114292 Inspection date 01/10/2008 Inspector Felicity Gaff

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Type of setting Childminder 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 childminding

The childminder was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and two school age children in Horsham, West Sussex. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet rabbit. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, some of whom attend on a part-time basis. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children in both age ranges share the same facilities. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a carer and toddler group; she takes children to the library and to play in the nearby park.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides excellent care for children who thrive in the warm, child- centred environment where their well-being is paramount. Children make exceptional progress because the childminder uses individual assessments of children's achievements to ensure their individual developmental needs are recognised and met. She works very closely with parents to create consistent, stable childcare arrangements. The childminder continuously evaluates and develops the service she provides to ensure it is of the highest standard.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 keep records of vehicles in which children are transported, including insurance details and names of drivers.

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provision

The childminder's thorough understanding of safeguarding issues and effective policies and procedures ensure children are well protected from harm or abuse. She maintains all the documentation required to support children's welfare conscientiously and establishes effective routines to keep children safe. For example, children wear high-visibility jackets on outings and learn road safety skills. The childminder is very committed to the children for whom she cares and creates exceptionally stable, long term childminding arrangements. Partnership with parents is exemplary. Parents are fully informed about the care their children receive and the progress they make because the childminder maintains and shares comprehensive written and photographic records with them. For example, new parents receive a welcome pack containing copies of all policies and procedures, and all parents receive individual play plans for their children. She invites the views

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provision

and opinions of parents and uses them to ensure continuity and consistency for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children. She shares her inspection reports with parents and explains how she is responding to any recommendations. This enhances her ability to monitor and develop the already high quality of her childminding service. The high quality of partnerships with parents and other providers mean that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully included in all activities and make very good progress in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They are cared for in secure, well maintained premises and enjoy a particularly wide range of attractive, age-appropriate play resources. They follow a healthy lifestyle and the childminder maintains all the documentation required to support their welfare. Children develop their stamina as they routinely walk to and from school. Although the childminder seeks parents' permission to take children in cars, she does not maintain a record of the vehicles in which they are transported. Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities to learn and develop. The childminder creates individual play plans for each child that build on the information she gathers from parents, and are shared with them, which enable children to make rapid progress. The flexible plans reflect the interests and enthusiasms of the children attending and are very well adapted to allow all children to take part. For instance, the childminder organised a simple papier-mâché activity for toddlers in a way that

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

respected their short attention span while allowing them to explore and experiment freely with the interesting materials. Children know the childminder values their achievements because she displays examples of their work prominently, and they are proud to take items home. Children enjoy a balanced range of play opportunities, promoting their development in all areas of learning. The childminder frequently engages them in conversation, stories and songs, providing an excellent speech model, and consequently, children acquire excellent language skills. Children take part in interesting learning opportunities, such as taking the rabbit to the vet to see it have an injection and have its teeth cleaned. The childminder uses such activities imaginatively to develop children's understanding of ways in which they can promote their own health and hygiene, as well as to teach children how to behave in different social situations. Children become confident and self-assured.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They persevere at acquiring everyday skills such as putting on their own coats or at mastering technical skills such as opening the back of an old phone, and courteously seek adult assistance when necessary. 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

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Outstanding

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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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