Hillside Avenue Primary and Nursery School, Thorpe

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 143280 Inspection date 05/05/2009 Inspector Lisa Jane Cupples

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and one teenager in Copnor, a residential area in Portsmouth. The premises are easily accessible and are in walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. All areas of the home are registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family do not have any pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered to work with an assistant. At present the childminder provides care for four children in the early years age range and four older children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of the Children Come First childminding network. She attends local toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder has an exceptionally good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are making excellent progress due to the effectiveness of the childminder, who is skilled and knowledgeable in child development and the needs of those children in her care. All children, regardless of age or need are welcomed and their individual needs planned for and met to a very high standard. The childminder is proactive and very professional, embracing new learning and ideas to improve her service. Self- evaluation systems are highly efficient and enable the childminder to build on her strengths and provide excellent levels of care and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide more opportunities for parents to make written contributions to their children's records of achievement on an ongoing basis, to further involve them in their children's learning throughout the year

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provision

The childminder is extremely well organised and proficient. She has up-to-date, clearly detailed, worthwhile written policies and procedures in place, which are shared with parents to ensure they are clear on her practices and enable them to work with her in promoting positive outcomes for their children. The childminder works effectively with parents and other professionals to ensure that she is well informed about their needs and those of their children. This enables her to meet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 any individual care and learning requirements to a high standard and ensures that all children are making strong progress. Parents have access to their children's records at any time and receive written progress reports every term. They are able to make written contributions to the reports about their children's achievements, although there are no other opportunities for them to make written comments

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provision

about their children's progress throughout the year at this time.

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provision

The childminder takes her role very seriously and prioritises her own professional development. She continually attends training and workshops to update her knowledge and skills for the benefit of the children. The training undertaken is ongoing and varied, meaning that she is well informed and knowledgeable about up-to-date practices and ideas. For example, the childminder continues to attend training to gather new ideas to deliver the curriculum in new and innovative ways to interest the children and ensure their learning journey is enjoyable and fun. Self-evaluation systems are highly efficient. The childminder is skilful at identifying her strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. She has a realistic and effective grasp of what she provides and how this impacts on the children in her care.

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provision

Children's safety is promoted to a high standard. The childminder is exceptionally clear about child protection issues and her safeguarding responsibilities to protect the children in her care. Levels of supervision and effective risk assessments enable children to explore safely and independently in a well organised, secure play and learning environment. All adults in the household have been vetted and visitors are required to sign the visitors’ book, ensuring a full record of everyone coming into contact with the children is maintained.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is exceptionally skilled at observing the children while they are engaged in activities, enabling her to assess what they can do and plan for their next steps. Comprehensive records, with a wealth of information are used effectively to plan an extensive range of activities and experiences for children, promoting all areas of their development and learning successfully. Activities are revisited in different ways until the children fully understand the new concepts and they are also given plenty of time to consolidate their learning through play before moving on to the next steps. This encourages independence and builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. The activities are short and change frequently, reflecting the age of the children. The childminder sits on the floor with the children and interacts with them exceptionally well during activities. She engages them in purposeful conversation and plans a broad range of activities and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning experiences. The childminder provides an exceptionally positive atmosphere where the children are relaxed and have great fun without realising that everything they do has a purpose. The childminder is very skilled at making the most of incidental learning opportunities as the children free-play, she encourages them to count, talks about colours and the different sounds the instruments make. Children are able to problem-solve and the childminder gives them time to work things out for themselves, supporting them as necessary to build their confidence. For example, the children have difficulty turning on the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 mixer in the role play kitchen. The childminder explains what they need to do and then helps them to move the switch. Children are developing an understanding that text has meaning and enjoy handling books and listening to stories. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder brings the stories to life, using character voices and showing the pictures to the children as she reads. The children join in, laughing and giggling as they listen.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's welfare is promoted to a very high standard. They are learning about safe practices and regular hygiene routines to enable them to start making positive choices to support themselves and others. For example, they are learning about germs through hand washing routines. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of healthy eating and the childminder provides an extensive range of fresh fruit, vegetables and nutritious snacks, such as, cheese and bread sticks. She talks with the children about the types of food that are good for them and encourages them to try new things by taking them to the local shops to choose what they would like for snack time. The childminder celebrates festivals from around the world with the children, such as, covering Chinese New Year with age and stage appropriate activities to begin to develop the children's awareness of diversity and differences. Children have access to a broad range of multicultural

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

resources on a daily basis and have equal access to all the resources, activities and experiences provided. Children are developing a strong sense of right and wrong because the childminder has clear rules and boundaries in place which are implemented consistently. As a result, the children know what is expected of them and they are keen to please. They are polite and are encouraged to use their manners, saying 'please' and 'thank you' when appropriate, the childminder is a very good role model and always thanks and praises the children, recognising their efforts and their achievements. Children are becoming confident communicators and the childminder introduces new vocabulary at every opportunity as she plays with the children, saying the new words slowly and repeating them frequently, giving the children the opportunity to repeat and practise the words at their own pace. 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? 1

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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

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