The Mayflower 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 114747 Inspection date 10/03/2009 Inspector Daphne Prescott

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and one adult child in East Preston, West Sussex. Part of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed area of the garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, of these five are in the early years age group. Children attend at different times of the week. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends parent and toddler groups. The family have tropical fish and two cats as pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children benefit greatly from the inclusive and welcoming family home, where the friendly care the childminder provides enables them to feel secure. Children of all ages participate in a wonderful variety of fun activities both within and outside the home, which ensures they make excellent progress in all areas of their development and learning. The childminder is fully committed to constantly reviewing her provision for children and an active interest in children's development enables the childminder to continuously improve the service she offers to children and their families. Partnership with parents is very effective, resulting in information being shared exceptionally well ensuring children receive continuity of care.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve safety by ensuring the lid on the water butt in the garden is secure  develop further the record of risk assessments for each type of outing undertaken by the children.

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provision

The childminder is very conscientious in her role as a childminder and provides a lovely homely and stimulating environment where children have a wonderful time learning through play. She has a very good understanding of the importance in supporting children's individual learning and care needs. Space is well organised to provide a child-centred environment, where children can play and explore safely and comfortably. The childminder understands the importance of evaluating her provision to ensure she effectively meets the individual needs of all the children in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her care. This is monitored through the childminder completing her self-evaluation form which includes steps taken to promote improvement. In addition, the childminder has addressed the previous recommendations from her last inspection; improving outcomes for children.

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provision

The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with others and has excellent relationships with parents. Effective daily communication ensures they are kept well informed about their child's day. Children's individual learning journals for each child are shared with their parents in order to discuss children's developmental progress and achievements. She ensures that parents are fully involved in their child's future targets for learning and development. The childminder provides parents with regular newsletters where she shares information about the topic for the term and truly values parents’ contributions. For example, in the newsletter she thanks the parents for providing items for last term topic 'All about me topic' and for taking the time to help the children do their family trees. The childminder maintains all of the required records, which are kept up to date and are very well organised. She has devised comprehensive policies

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provision

and procedures which she shares with parents so that they are aware of her responsibilities and the service that she provides.

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provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where they are well supervised by the childminder. The childminder has systems in place to keep children safe. For example, she carries out a written risk assessment of all areas of her premises which are used by children and also completes daily visual checks. Most hazards have been identified and minimized, although one of the water butts in the garden the lid is not secured safely. The childminder completes a record of risk assessment for most outings that the children take part in. However, not all outings have been included in the risk assessment to help towards promoting their safety. The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and is aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and are totally relaxed within her care. The childminder fully understands how to promote children's learning and development. For example, there is a wide range of interesting and well maintained toys and resources, which are used to help children make very good progress in all areas of their learning and development. Many of the resources help to support children in valuing diversity and the childminder has a strong commitment to offering an inclusive service. The childminder positively interacts with all children, who she treats with equal concern, and plays with them at their level providing support and encouragement, according to their individual needs. Furthermore, the childminder skilfully develops children's knowledge with appropriate questioning during play to make children think for themselves. The childminder's records of children's development are attractively presented in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

individual folders with photographic illustrations. Thoughtful observations of activities that children have enjoyed and skills they are achieving are included and their next steps and how they will be supported in working towards these are identified. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All children have fabulous opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in the six learning areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. A excellent balance of child-initiated and adult-initiated activities ensure that children have the opportunities to develop the skills necessary for their future learning and development. For example, children have a wonderful time making a train out of cupboard boxes. During their play the children image the construction as many other things as they combine their creative skills and imagination to create something new. For example, they thoroughly enjoy themselves as they imitate

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they are flying an aeroplane as they sit on small stools inside the construction. The childminder joins in with the children's play with great enthusiasm and supports them as they talk about the imaginary blue sky and clouds. The children have exciting conversations with the childminder as they tell stories of people who will go on an aeroplane, needing their passports and tickets to travel and they describe the hot and cold countries that they are visiting. They then add to their construction by making steering wheels.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy creative activities and learn to handle simple tools such as glue sticks. They experiment and freely express themselves as they create their steering wheels, from a lovely variety of creative materials developing their creativity. Their efforts are truly valued and praised by the childminder which raises their self-esteem and confidence as children smile with great delight at their achievement. The childminder is very effective at ensuring all children of different ages are engaged in the activity. For example, she engages the older children and encourages them to act as role models by showing the younger children to use the glue stick. This benefits all children as they develop a sense of achievement and pride. The childminder supports younger children as she constantly talks to them and praises their efforts when operating small toys that play music, holding the telephone to their ears and talking into them. Young children have lovely

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

conversations as they coo and babble in response to the childminder. Children also experience a wide and varied range of outings, following children's interest and their topic on transport. For example, they visit the Chichester canal and Shoreham airport which helps to develop children's knowledge of the local community.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents regarding behaviour management so children are provided with consistent expectations. Older children show a kind caring approach to the younger children as they play together. Children learn about their own safety though general discussions with the childminder and reminders to be careful as they play. She also teaches them how to keep themselves safe when out and has practised her fire evacuation procedure with children enabling them to develop an understanding of safety within the home. The childminder has a very good awareness of promoting children's good health. Children gain an awareness of their own health and hygiene through daily routines. For example, they independently wash their hands after using the toilet and dry their hands with their individual towels provided by the childminder. They also brush their teeth with their own individual toothbrushes after their lunch. Healthy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

lifestyles are also promoted as children have a lovely time playing outside in the childminder's garden where they have exciting opportunities to delve in the sand and soil with their truckers. They also run around in the fresh air and learn the benefits of exercise and develop their physical skills as they ride on their bikes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy lovely sociable mealtimes where they sit with the childminder at the table and are encouraged to develop their independence skills. They also have their individual bottles or beakers of water available all the time so that they are not thirsty. The childminder ensures she is aware of any dietary needs the children may have by discussing these with the parents. 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? 2 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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