St Leonard's Church of England Primary Academy

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 148009 Inspection date 22/05/2009 Inspector Malini Parmar

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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 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 September 1997. She lives with her adult daughter in North Harrow, in the London Borough of Harrow. It is situated within walking distance of local bus routes and North Harrow station. The ground floor is used for childminding and one bedroom is available for rest purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children from birth to under eight years on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Of these, three may attend in the early years age group. There are currently five children on roll on the early years age range. The family have a pet cat.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is developing to take account of the changes in legislation. Children benefit from the childminder's sound assessment of the provision in order to continuously improve her practice which she is keen to do. Close partnership working with parents means a constant exchange of information takes place to meet the changing needs of the children in her care. Aspects of children's health and safety are given appropriate priority and the childminder has a sound focus for improvement. Inclusive practice is promoted to support children's understanding of the wider world.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge of the six areas of learning and develop assessment systems further, use information about children's starting points, observations and assessments to identify individual learning priorities for all children and plan learning experiences accordingly  ensure continuity and coherence for children by sharing relevant information with other settings in which children also receive education and care.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete a written risk assessment environment and each type of outing, review this regularly recording each time this is carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken (suitable premises, environment & equipment) 05/06/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's sufficient organisation to support their care and education. She builds close working relationships with parents, by sharing her childminding methods with them both verbally and in the form of policies. Sound details about each child's welfare needs are gathered upon entry and this is developing to ensure it includes information about children's starting points and capabilities from which to build progress. The childminder organises her time effectively to make sure she is available to spend time talking to parents at the end of each day to share pertinent information. Parents report they are happy with the service and notice how their children have progressed under her care. Wider partnerships with settings children also attend, to ensure cohesive working with shared aims, is not yet fully in place.

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provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and has embraced the recent changes in legislation. She reflects on her practice which results in a sound understanding of her strengths and a clear focus for improvement. For example, she recognises that in order to continue to build the provision, more knowledge and practice of implementing the learning and development requirements is required. To successfully achieve this she is developing her planning and assessment systems. The childminder is aware of her duty to protect children from harm and has the necessary contact details within her policy and documents. Although, her knowledge of most areas of abuse and potential indicators is sound, this is not yet extended to all areas of abuse in order to ensure swift reporting. All the necessary records including consents are in place and stored confidentially to promote the welfare of the children. This includes information about children's cultural heritage

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provision

and family lifestyles to support children's individual care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children build positive bonds with the childminder who spends time getting to know their individual needs and personalities. They move freely from area to area choosing from the plentiful range of toys that are attractively offered to them. Most of these are easily accessible and reflect the children's current interests and needs. Children receive sound support from the childminder to reach extra resources which prompt their interest. The childminder has spent much time considering planning and assessment systems and as a result, makes observations of children's interests and how they spend their time. These are used to identify next steps in learning for some children, across some areas of learning, and are developing to make sure the process is in place for all children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's flexible attitude and emphasis on meeting their personnel routines. This is a key strength of provision and means that children, eat, rest and play according to their individual needs and in accordance with routines at home to provide continuity of care. Young children benefit from the childminders' playful interactions to comfort and soothe them and encourage their interest in activities. Children strengthen their concentration and ability to problem solve as the childminder helps them to complete large floor puzzles of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their choice. Children learn mathematical language and terms as they successfully repeat the childminder's use of them to describe, size, shape and quantity. They receive sound support as the childminder gently encourages them to look for the missing piece, they sing the 'alphabet song' to find out what picture to look for as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they pick out the next sound. The childminder awards and praises their efforts and the successful completion of the puzzle, as they clap together. Although, the younger children initially enjoy this activity, they do not sustain their interest and the childminder has not fully considered the organisation of toys and resources to enable them to choose other things more easily. All children enjoy mixing and exploring corn flour with spoons. They increase their vocabulary as they repeat words such as 'soft' and 'hard' that the childminder uses. Children particularly enjoy pouring more water to 'make a puddle'. Systems to ensure activity planning takes account of the differing developmental needs of all the children are developing. The childminder's establishes routines with predictable sequence of events to help children learn about their role in maintaining their health, for example, they know that after messy play they 'wash their hands clean'. Young

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children enjoy mimicking their observations of the world as they make 'tea' using the imaginary play resources. Children gain an understanding of the wider world as trips into the local community are a regular feature of the childminder's practice. The childminder uses her sound knowledge of the children's home backgrounds and family life to organise trips to places of interest such as local Temples. This promotes children's understanding of different customs, and of likes and differences to encourage a balanced understanding of the World. Trips to local play groups and libraries to help young children learn to socialise form a regular part of the childminder's routine.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder offers sound explanations, practises emergency evacuations regularly, and uses appropriate equipment, such as a stairgate to prevent access to the stairs. However, gaps in the risk assessment mean that not all aspects of children's safety have been clearly assessed. The childminder has overlooked her duty in regulation to ensure each type of outing has undergone a clear assessment of risk to identify and reduce all potential hazards. Children enjoy healthy balanced meals which the childminder prepares for them, and she ensures any perishable items supplied by parents are safely stored to prevent cross contamination. The childminder's gentle manner and clear boundary setting means that children behave well, and enjoy each others' company as well as the childminders. 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? 3 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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

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