Elton Community 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 141167 Inspection date 07/10/2008 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 in Bedford with her husband and two teenage children. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. A slope to the main entrance means that the premises are easily accessible. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered to provide three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and there is currently one child attending who is within this age group. The child lives locally.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Compulsory and Voluntary Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There are currently no children on roll in this age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides well for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The environment is secure and welcoming and children are offered sensitive support to enable them to participate fully in the activities and play opportunities provided. The good partnerships with parents helps to ensure that children's needs are clearly recognised, they are offered consistent care and their development is promoted. The childminder's sensitive approach to planning ensures that she is able to respond quickly to children's interests and developmental needs. Effective procedures for evaluating her practice mean that she has a clear picture of her strengths and weaknesses. She is therefore able to plan changes which lead to improvements in the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the process for evaluating daily practice  continue to develop the observation and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child.

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provision

Children's individual development is promoted because there are comprehensive procedures in place to monitor their learning and progress. The good partnerships with parents and school ensure that children's care is consistent and they are offered appropriate support to help them to participate meaningfully in activities and make good progress. For example, the childminder is aware of the reading This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 programme used by the local school and is able to support young children in this and also provide relevant activities to further promote their understanding of this area.

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provision

The consistent implementation of practical policies ensures that children's welfare and safety are promoted at all times. The childminder has effective procedures for evaluating her practice, informally reviewing her daily work to identify areas for improvement. She formulates plans for the future which lead to improved outcomes for children. For example, providing additional resources to promote individual children's enjoyment and development. However, the informal evaluation process means that it is difficult to continuously review progress and measure the impact of any changes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's interest is maintained and they make good progress in all areas of learning and development because they are offered a varied range of activities and play opportunities. The childminder's flexible approach to planning means that children's interests are included and are utilised to extend their learning. For example, children showing an interest in music are offered a wide range of musical instruments to explore and also regularly attend specialist music sessions which extend their enjoyment and understanding. Activity planning is also influenced by ongoing assessments. However, these are not fully utilised to identify learning priorities and plan associated learning experiences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The thoughtful planning ensures that children are offered a balanced range of activities indoors and outside and are encouraged to confidently explore their environment and actively make choices about their play and learning. For example, young children become engrossed in exploring the play resources, often singing and talking to themselves and confidently experimenting with new toys and resources. The childminder allows them time for this exploration but is always available to support and extend their play. This consistent support enables children to feel confident to express their ideas and share their thoughts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is stimulating and the childminder ensures that it is accessible to all. The thoughtful provision of additional resources further extends children's learning and encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. For example, young children eagerly explore a 'Spider Game', counting and matching the numbers on the dominoes, pronouncing new words and naming the various colours. Good use is also made of resources in encouraging children to express themselves. For example, children playing with finger puppets laugh and giggle as they pretend to make the puppets talk to each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a secure, safe environment because the childminder has a thorough understanding of this area, carrying out and reviewing practical risk assessments. Children are gaining a good understanding about taking care of themselves and others as the childminder offers them clear explanations. The childminder has a thorough understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has ensured that she has relevant information and contact details. 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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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? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good 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? Good

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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 registration or 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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