Box Church of England 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 126302 Inspection date 19/01/2009 Inspector Lara Hickson

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1991. She lives with her husband in a five bedroomed extended terraced house in Gravesend, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding purposes, with supervised access to the first floor for sleep facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden with a range of play equipment for outside activities. There are shops, parks, schools and pre-schools within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She is currently caring for three children who are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is happy to take and collect children from local schools and nurseries. She attends local toddler groups and regularly takes children to the local library, places of interest and parks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively promoted in all areas through rigorous procedures such as fire evacuation, risk assessment and safety equipment. The childminder use self-evaluation to effectively promote improvement within her setting, taking into account the views of both parents and other childminding peers. The uniqueness of every child is recognised by the childminder who ensures that each child is supported and encouraged to learn and develop. Children make sound progress in their learning and development with effective systems in operation for planning and assessment. The childminder enhances their learning opportunities through a wide and varied range of activities, outings and play resources.

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further?

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

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further?

 continuing to develop the setting taking into account areas of development identified by the self evaluation system

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provision

The childminder is highly committed to improving practice for the children in her care and has excellent, self evaluation systems in place to support this. The self evaluation system is reflective of the childminder's practice and identifies areas within the setting that she plans to develop further. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All required records, procedures are in documentation in place to promote welfare, care and learning of children. These are stored confidentially yet are accessible. The childminder has reviewed and updated her policies and procedures to reflect changes.

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provision

The childminder offers a high standard of care in a very safe environment. Risk assessments are in place and are effective in identifying and minimising any hazards to children both within the setting, the garden area and for outings undertaken regularly.

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provision

The childminder promotes inclusive practice effectively by fully involving parents in their child's learning and development. For example, there is a daily exchange of information verbally upon arrival and collection and the childminder uses a contact book to exchange further information about the children's care routines and activities enjoyed. The childminder completes regular, thorough observations that incorporate all areas of learning and ensure that their learning and welfare needs are met. All observations are fully evaluated and identify each child's next stage in development. Regular reviews take place with parents to discuss children's ongoing progress and the childminder's assessment of their development in the six areas of learning. The childminder shares observations and photos of the children developing through play. These practices enable parents to be fully involved in their child's learning and development. New parents receive comprehensive

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provision

information about the setting and settling in procedures are effective in aiding new children to feel secure within the setting.

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provision

Children are able to access toys and resources independently enabling them to make choices. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the need to provide children with age and stage appropriate activities and resources. As well as ensuring their safety this also allows them to be suitably stimulated and challenged.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a wide range of fun, daily activities throughout the week that enhance children's skills in all areas of learning and development. These activities use the indoor and outdoor environments and appropriately challenge and extend each child's individual development and learning. For example, children enjoy trips to the library, to toddler groups and in the local community as well as activities within the home and garden areas of the setting. Children are encouraged to become independent, creative learners and the childminder enables this by providing numerous activities and resources that the children can choose from. She ensures that she plans both adult-led and child-initiated activities. An effective observation and assessment system is in operation and identifies children's individual stage of development, progress and informs future planning and targets. Observations are short, concise and outline the area of learning and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted extremely well within the setting. The childminder has a valid paediatric first aid qualification ensuring that she can provide This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate first aid treatment in the event of an accident. Any accidents are appropriately recorded in an accident book and parents are asked to sign any entries relating to their child as confirmation that they have been informed. All medication administered to minded children is accurately recorded and authorised by parents. Child record forms contain all appropriate information regarding individual dietary requirements following consultation from parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept extremely safe and secure within the setting. Effective procedures are in operation regarding fire evacuation and emergency procedures. The childminder has organised emergency cover with two other registered childminders and parents confirm their acceptance of this procedure through written consent. Children participate in regular fire practices which reduces the risk of injury in the event of a fire. The childminder records fire practices termly but practise these more often. She always tests alarms when children are present to prepare them for the high pitch noise they make.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent settling in procedures to enable children to feel at ease within the setting as quickly as possible. In references, parents praise the childminder's settling in techniques such as continuing home routines and highlight how quickly their child settled into the setting. The childminder asks parents to write out their child's current routine when they first start which she uses as a reference initially. Partnership with parents is excellent and they appreciate the varied curriculum provided by the childminder and her encouragement of good manners and the concepts of sharing and turn taking. 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 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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