St Laurence CofE Junior 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 102437 Inspection date 08/12/2008 Inspector Christine Powlesland

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a house in Liskeard, within walking distance of shops, park, schools and preschools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a small enclosed area for outside play, accessed from the house, and an enclosed garden, which is accessed from a shared pathway. Three dogs, two cats and fish in a covered tank are the family pets. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Minded children live locally and also attend a preschool offering the EYFS. The childminder currently supports children with learning difficulties. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, relaxed and very well settled in the childminder's home. They are safe and secure at all times and enjoy learning through play, making good progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder works closely with parents and other providers to ensure children's individual needs are met. Her systems for self evaluation clearly identify areas for development and she has a good knowledge of her training needs for the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a clear daily record of the hours of attendance of children looked after on the premises, in particular those attending preschool

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provision

Thoughtful self-evaluation has helped the childminder to identify areas for improvement. She has enthusiastically embraced the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has already begun to improve her practice by establishing helpful systems for recording children's individual progress.

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provision

Children are kept safe in the setting as the childminder closely supervises them and helps them learn how to behave safely and sensibly. They are further protected by her thoughtful approach to the child protection procedure and her written risk assessments for individual outings.

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provision

Parents are made very welcome and convey in cards their satisfaction with the service provided by the childminder. Daily discussions keep them fully informed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regarding their children's progress. The childminder is currently drafting a questionnaire for parents to complete, giving them time to think and reflect before making suggestions to help her continue to improve her practice. Close links with other settings attended by the children in her care ensure all involved are genuine partners in supporting children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely well settled and happy with the childminder. They are making good progress towards the early learning goals and regular observations help the childminder to plan activities that will help them to progress in all areas. The childminder responds to the emotional needs of very young children and she is given a spontaneous cuddle by a child after having a nappy changed, demonstrating the close emotional and physical bonds they have developed. This relaxed and comfortable relationship means children respond eagerly and engage happily with the activities provided for them. Their early attempts at words are repeated back to them and the childminder encourages them to communicate with her constantly. They draw pictures together, talking about the colours chosen for seaweed, and count together as stickers of fish are put onto the picture. The childminder has a good understanding of when to let children play independently

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and when to intervene to help with their development. For example, children sing the first verse of a nursery rhyme correctly and the childminder then joins in the second verse to help with learning the words, as these are not known so well. Photographs of children at play are included in their individual records, allowing parents to share in their children's delight as they make lanterns from pumpkins and go for local walks to collect leaves they then make into an autumn collage together. The childminder observes the children and references these observations to the areas of learning. She uses this information to set targets for children's progress towards the early learning goals, appropriate to their stage of development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept healthy as they have access to individual drinks at all times and they enjoy the fresh air every day when walking to school or preschool. The childminder has close links with the local preschool, as well as with parents, and they work together to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children are well cared for in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has obtained all necessary consents. They are kept safe in the home as the childminder supervises them constantly and safety equipment, such as a stair gate and socket covers, is in place. To help safeguard children the childminder has completed a written risk assessment of her home and also completes an assessment of any outings before they are undertaken. All the required documentation to help keep children safe is in place and the weekly register is displayed. However, children taken to preschool are not always signed out when

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

leaving the childminder's care, which may be confusing in an emergency situation. One criminal record bureau check is not of the correct level and the childminder is to resubmit this to further ensure the children's safety. The childminder uses a positive approach to behaviour management which is very effective. Children enjoy all activities offered to them, show initiative in making their own decisions about their learning and as a result gain skills which contribute to their future well-being. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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?

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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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