Amherst Primary 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 134188 Inspection date 23/10/2008 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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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 has been registered since April 1997. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her one grown-up daughter in a four-bedroom, semi- detached house. Access to the provision is at street level and the downstairs rooms are used for minding and upstairs for sleeping and using the bathroom. There is also a fully enclosed garden. The home is situated close to local amenities, schools and parks. The childminder is registered to care for six children. She is currently caring for two children under five years. The family have a pet cat and a goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder helps to run a carer and toddler group once a week which the minded children attend regularly.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy a positive experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with this caring childminder, owing to the interesting activities and sound quality care provided. All are welcomed and included in the range of experiences. The childminder meets children's individual welfare requirements effectively and they progress well in their learning and development. She is particularly good at teaching children how to keep themselves safe. However, risk assessment systems are limited at present. She builds effective relationships with parents but does not use this opportunity to it's full advantage, as she is not confident in her own knowledge and understanding in all six areas of learning. The childminder improves her practice through being self-critical and undertaking additional training.

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further?

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

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further?

 investigate ways of including parents in their child's starting point in order to assess their progress in learning and development.  analyse your observations using the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework to help you plan 'what next' for individuals and groups of children extend risk assessments to cover all areas of the provisions.

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provision

The childminder takes her role seriously. She shows commitment to improving her practice through training and the advice and support given to her by colleagues. Subsequently, she adapts her provision as a result of her new understanding of requirements. She is aware of the potential dangers to children's safety for example, as a result of training in road safety. However, her record of risk assessments are not robust enough in all areas of the provision. The childminder evaluates her practice well and identifies her strengths and weaknesses effectively, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in her hardcopy self-evaluation form. She books further training in line with weaknesses identified and keeps a record of training attended.

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provision

All required documentation is kept confidentially, securely and in order. A full range of suitable policies and procedures guide her practice. These provide parents with clear information about her methods. She works closely with parents to find out all she can about children's individual needs and their daily routines. However, her lack of confidence in her own understanding of the EYFS means that the children's starting points and ongoing progress can not be assessed fully as she has no system's in place to record these. She seeks parents' views on how she might improve her practice and has many testimonials from parents of her caring work. The children enjoy visits to other settings and the childminder is building partnerships with these settings, this is to support children's learning and development. All children receive a warm welcome in her home. Children's welfare is safeguarded well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an growing understanding of the EYFS. She supports children's learning and development well. She interacts effectively with children, questioning them to take learning forward but being sensitive about times to sit back and allow children to play by themselves. Children clearly feel settled in her home and comfortable in her company. Extremely good relationships develop owing to the childminder being clear about what she expects from children and because of her calm, positive approach. Children behave well. They concentrate at their activities because they enjoy them. These activities suit their levels of development and offer sufficient challenge. The childminder covers the six areas of learning in the EYFS satisfactorily over a period but her planning does not ensure that these are covered daily. She maintains a good balance between adult-led and child-chosen activities. She does achieve a good balance between outdoor and indoor learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

However, she has highlighted that she could improve activities for the children with more creative thinking about craft ideas for the age of child in her care at present.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes children well. She has begun to record their progress in scrapbooks which she shares with parents. Currently, she does not find out what learning takes place at other settings children attend and this hampers progress. She identifies what children need to learn next but the system requires further development to cover all areas of learning sufficiently. Children use a suitable learning environment indoors and take pleasure in building with 'Duplo', and there are ample bricks for the children to play in tandem as well as share. The childminder encourages children to explore finger painting, count, share and take turns, which gives them suitable foundations for their future lives. She provides a good role model to the children by speaking clearly and being enthusiastic about the things they experience.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder cares for children competently. Children play in safety because she supervises them closely at all times. She identifies and reduces potential risks to their safety both on and off her premises. She teaches children how to keep themselves safe and about the benefits of healthy living. Children eat and drink This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 according to their needs. The childminder meets their individual dietary and care requirements. Children use a clean home environment and are protected from the dangers of cross-infection. The childminder follows sound procedures if children sustain an accident or become unwell whilst in her care. 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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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 has been no complaints made to Ofsted since the previous 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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