Greenside 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 141902 Inspection date 11/02/2009 Inspector Rachael Williams

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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 1979. She lives with her husband, who is also her assistant, in a semi-detached house in the village of Cossington near Bridgwater, Somerset. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the first floor bathroom and spare bedroom are used to provide children with overnight care. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have one cat and an aviary outside with budgerigars.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She currently cares for 11 children; of which seven are in the early years age range. The childminder and her assistant are involved in dropping off and collecting from local schools. She is registered to offer overnight care for two children under eight years old. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of provision is outstanding. The childminder is exceptional in acknowledging each child's uniqueness and promoting their welfare effectively through excellent childminding practices. Positive and caring relationships are established with the children and their families, hence their individuality is acknowledged and valued. The childminder provides a homely and inclusive environment where children have a wonderful sense of belonging. All children make exceptional progress in their learning and development through the childminder's consistent interaction and support. The process of self-evaluation is effective as it plans for improvement valuing children's and parent's contributions.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 monitor assessment arrangements so that next steps in learning are identified for each area of learning  further develop understanding of safeguarding children issues and ensure policies are in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board local guidance and procedures

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provision

The children are cared for by an experienced childminder who works well with her assistant to improve outcomes for children. They provide a cohesive service as they are both focused on helping children to make good progress. The family home is well organised and inviting. It celebrates children's achievements through the vibrantly decorated walls which include photographs and children's creations; This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consequently, children have a wonderful sense of belonging. Children may choose from an abundant range of stimulating, high-quality toys and resources which meet their age and stage of development. Resources are located in low level, well labelled units so that children can make independent choices.

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provision

The maintenance of records, policies and procedures underpins the very good childminding practices and ensures that the needs of all children are met. These are regularly shared with parents and ensure the smooth running of the setting. The childminder is vigilant at ensuring that any risks to the children are minimised and she is beginning to use her accident record to further monitor the provision. The childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow should an incident occur. She is aware of the importance of ensuring that her knowledge is up to date and that her policy reflects local guidance and procedures.

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provision

The childminder has established an effective evaluation system and monitors her provision extremely well to ensure that children's needs are met. Parents and children also contribute to this system, for instance through the use of a questionnaire where parents have made very positive comments about the provision for their children. The childminder has excellent relationships with her parents and she values the bonds that have been created as she believes in a child centred approach to care, learning and development, hence, alongside the excellent links with the school, the children thrive. The childminder is very flexible in her approach and endeavours to adapt her provision to meet family requirements, such as extending her hours or making additional drop-offs or collections. Parents receive a wealth of information about childminding practices and there are daily opportunities for information to be shared and the children's

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provision

progress to be discussed. Informative profiles of children's achievements are readily shared and parents willingly contribute to these.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent knowledge of the children in her care and she ensures that the toys and resources available to the children reflect their wide ranging and varied interests and preoccupations. For example, the childminder has observed that one child in particular shows an interest in dabbing so has bought bottled paints which have a sponge on the top for the child to dab and create freely on the paper. The childminder is excellent at engaging children so that they become active learners. For example, the childminder sits with a young child on the floor after she has selected the church to play with. The child thoroughly enjoys pressing the buttons and listening to the sound of the bells and the wedding march. The childminder extends the child's play and they create a circuit with the train track around the church. The child is encouraged to count the carriages on the train and links them together competently showing good

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

hand/eye coordination. The child selects figures to go in each carriage and carefully places one policeman in each with Prince Charles as the driver of the train. The childminder's interaction is continuous and supports the child in learning new vocabulary and encouraging her speech. The childminder is excellent at listening and responding to the children whether it be a child's actions, such as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pointing, or a young baby's babble.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are making very good progress and the childminder documents this well through photographs and observations which are linked to specific learning outcomes for each area of learning. Hence, next steps in learning are clearly identified and children are appropriately challenged. As these observations are spontaneous the childminder has not monitored whether next steps in learning have been identified for each area of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a very secure environment where their safety is paramount. The front door is securely locked and there are robust arrangements in place to ensure the safe collection of children. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to promote children's health. She offers healthy and nutritious snacks and meals to the children. Children thoroughly enjoy growing their own vegetables and are involved in the preparation and eating of them, such as peas. They may access drinks independently as they are kept nearby to ensure they remain hydrated. Babies are cuddled close as they are fed their bottles. There are robust systems in place to ensure that medication is administered appropriately and accidents are recorded and promptly shared with parents. The childminder provides a clean and well maintained environment for the children to play and learn. Excellent hygiene practices are consistently applied, such as hygienic nappy changing and clear

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

explanations to the children as to the importance of washing their hands. 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? 1 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? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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