Valley Road 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 108777 Inspection date 17/12/2008 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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 1997. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She regularly works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and seven years in Swindon, Wiltshire. The whole of the house is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She occasionally attends the local toddler group, takes children to the library and to local parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range at any one time and is currently caring for eight children within this age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also cares for older children. The childminder has experience of caring for children who speak English as an additional language. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare and Education. She is an accredited network childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a fully inclusive provision, knows her minded children well, has a clear understanding of their additional requirements and has a good knowledge of their individual family circumstances. Children are able to progress because they take part in a balanced programme of age appropriate activities that meet their needs and enable them to progress, particularly in their social and self- care skills. She has a very positive attitude towards professional development and has a good capacity to further develop her early years practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment procedure to ensure that the observations undertaken on the children are used together with information provided by other key providers of early years education to plan for the next steps in children's learning  develop the arrangements for risk assessments to include assessments for each type of outing undertaken by the children.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure adults left in sole charge of children have an appropriate first aid qualification (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 25/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is an experienced, enthusiastic, well qualified early years practitioner, who regularly undertakes targeted early years training to help develop her professional knowledge. She is a reflective practitioner who evaluates her practice and is aware of her strengths and areas for further development. However, children are sometimes left in the care of an assistant who does not have a first aid qualification. This places children at risk.

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provision

The childminder has a positive partnership with the parents. They are made to feel very welcome and are provided with detailed written information about the provision prior to their child entering her care. They are kept up to date through her informative notice boards, photographs of children engaged in activities, informal daily discussion and the use of two way communication dairies. In addition, the parents are asked to complete questionnaires about the childminder which she uses to develop her practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play and rest within a stimulating, well organised, inclusive early years provision that is clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. Children are learning good hygiene practices as part of the daily routine. For example, they are gaining an awareness of the need to wash their hands prior to taking part in a cooking activity and independently search for their own towel placed on a named hook after hand washing. They enjoy a balanced menu of healthy, nutritious snacks and light meals and are able to help themselves to drinking water at all times. The childminder has undertaken specific training related to child protection and has a good understanding of her important role in safeguarding children. There is a range of measures in place to help ensure children's safety. The premises are secure, a gate prevents children's unsupervised access to the stairs and a fire blanket is immediately accessible in an emergency.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children start to gain an appreciation of how to keep themselves safe through practical means, including taking part in emergency evacuation drills and gaining '10 stars' if they demonstrate good road safety awareness during the daily walks to and from school. However, risk assessments have not been completed for the variety of outings undertaken by the children. As a result, their safety may be at risk.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children appear confident, relaxed and settled within the provision. They are encouraged to be active, independent learners, self-selecting resources for themselves from the good range of toys available to them at their height. They are encouraged to develop self-care skills through practical means, including finding their own shoes prior to outings. They are able to play cooperatively together, such as when sharing resources whilst cake decorating and to take turns. They have a very positive relationship with the friendly childminder and approach her spontaneously for cuddles. The childminder plans a wide variety of practical activities both within the provision and outdoors that cover all aspects of the early This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 years curriculum and offers a balance of child initiated and adult led opportunities. She has a good understanding of the children's varying stages of development and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

undertakes written, dated observations of the children whilst engaged in activities. However, she does not always use this information effectively to plan for the children's next steps. She has good levels of communication with the parents, who are encouraged to support the development of her practice. She has formed positive links with some of the other early years settings attended by the children. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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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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