Bickerstaffe CofE Primary School and 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

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Unique reference number 119381 Inspection date 01/12/2008 Inspector Elizabeth Patricia Edmond

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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 at these premises since 2005 but was registered at her previous home in Essex from 1990. She lives with her husband and twin eleven year olds in a mid-terrace, three storey house in the centre of Bridlington. Two of the rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding and a there is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years. There are currently four children in the early years age group on the roll, all cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder is also included on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. At the time of inspection there was one older child on roll in relation to this registration.

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Description of the childminding

There are links with the local schools and playgroups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and the local childminding network which is supported by the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

There were, unexpectedly, no children present on the day of inspection. However, evidence such as discussions with the childminder, a great many photographs of the children and the associated documentation demonstrated that young children are well cared for and make good progress. The childminder has considerable experience of caring for children, over several years, with a range of needs. She demonstrates a high capacity to effectively meet the individual needs of children. She provides a warm, homely environment and a good range of activities and outings to keep children engaged and interested. The childminder continues to update her skills and knowledge and makes plans to improve the outdoor facilities, but has no formalised systems for evaluating the effectiveness of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the range of natural and house-hold items to interest the younger children  add further detail to risk assessments to highlight all potential hazards; for example, include children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe  develop systems to evaluate the care and learning provided to identify strengths and areas for development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a positive approach to updating her skills and knowledge. She attends a good range of training to complement her several years of experience; she prioritises important topics to make sure that courses are relevant. She also makes good use of the strong links with other providers and the local authority to keep abreast of changes and to make sure that children's individual learning needs are addressed. She explains how she notifies other early years settings when children have, for example, started to write their own names so they can pursue this too. Links with the local authority have helped her to address the weaknesses in her record keeping that were identified at the last inspection. Parents are also engaged in evaluating the care and they take part in the inspection process enthusiastically. For example, they write glowing reports about the very high level of support their children receive in relation to their care and development.

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provision

Although the childminder works happily on the advice of others, there is no systematic self evaluation in place.

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provision

The childminder organises her home effectively around the needs of the young children attending. They can easily help themselves from the low level storage, or equipment presented at floor level, in the two playrooms. At the same time, items which could be hazardous to very young children are kept on higher shelves. There is a good choice of equipment and activities both indoors and outside in the adjacent garden. However, there are limited natural and house-hold items to interest the younger children. There is good clear written information for parents in the form of policies and procedures which effectively cover the childminder's approach to all aspects of the care provided. This, alongside highly relevant training, means that children are very well protected and their well-being safeguarded. Records are professionally maintained, kept up to date and signed by parents where appropriate.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses observation efficiently to find out what interests the children and establish their level of understanding. She is beginning to use the observations very well to identify possible lines of progress for children and to plan for their continued learning. The childminder uses checking systems, recommended by the local authority, to monitor children's progress. Children's folders show a good level of development in relation to their starting points across all six areas of learning, with photographs showing how this is achieved through their self chosen play. Development folders are shared regularly with parents to maximise learning potential. The childminding environment is homely and welcoming; children know that they are welcomed and their efforts valued and appreciated because the childminder displays their pictures proudly in the playroom. They can play freely indoors and out which means that they can initiate and extend their own play and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning. The childminder explains how the children are able to access the garden freely, particularly in better weather, and that they particularly enjoy the sand and water out there. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 A clear strength of the setting is the broad range of off-site outings arranged by the childminder to benefit the children's welfare and their learning. Photographs in children's development folders, and on DVDs made for parents, show children having great fun as they learn about the animals on their farm visit or the plants at the garden centre. They also show children enjoying themselves greatly as they develop their strength and skills digging the sand on the beach or expressing themselves enthusiastically to the music at the weekly dance sessions. Because the level of childminding activity fluctuates, the childminder makes sure that children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learn to work and play together pleasantly by providing important social opportunities at the daily visits to various groups. Children are kept safe and the sensible use of risk assessment is a significant factor in the range of interesting outings provided that promote their health and their development. However, risk assessment documentation is not very precise about what might constitute a hazard to children and does not fully reflect the childminder's positive approach to helping children to learn how to manage their own safety in the various environments. Children learn the necessary physical skills to keep themselves safe and learn about the support services who help us; photos show them learning about how the ambulance works on a visit to the ambulance station.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder does not normally provide meals but she works carefully and sensitively with parents to make sure that children learn to enjoy good quality, healthy meals. The childminder is proactive in reminding children to drink regularly because she understands the importance of this on children's learning and development as well as their health. 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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