Cove 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 116446 Inspection date 11/02/2009 Inspector Glenda Pownall

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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 registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children, who are aged 15 and 17 years, in Radnage, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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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 may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding six children in the early years age group and one older child.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder effectively meets the welfare needs of each child as she provides a welcoming, inclusive environment. Children actively engage in many worthwhile activities, although the lack of observation and assessment means it is difficult to establish if these fully meet the learning and development needs of each child. The childminder has the capacity to improve. She displays a willingness to improve upon the shortcomings in documentation, although she is not fully confident in how she will be able to achieve this in order to meet the learning and development requirements.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop knowledge and understanding of how to effectively implement all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to further support children’s learning and development and welfare  carry out regular evacuation drills to ensure children know what to do in an emergency and record any problems encountered and how these were resolved

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further?

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

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further?

 undertake continuous observational assessment by analysing and reviewing what is known about each child’s development and learning in order to make informed decisions about each child’s progress, and plan next steps to meet their development and learning needs (Learning and Development) 11/03/2009  maintain a record of risk assessment identifying aspects of the premises that need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment 11/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and equipment)

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provision

The childminder is able to meet the routine needs of each child each day because all required information and parental consents are in place. The childminder conducts a visual risk assessment of the premises to keep children safe but is in breach of regulations, as she has not formalised this into a written document. In addition, she does not review all potential hazards, such as the location of toiletries in the bathroom or the security of the front door, in relation to the safety of individual children currently cared for. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure the smoke alarms are in working order but she does not practice fire drills. This does not ensure that children know what to do in the event of an emergency evacuation.

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provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has developed a secure knowledge of the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk and shares this procedure with parents. This promotes the well-being of children. She has also attended food safety training to update her knowledge of how to store and prepare food safely to promote the good health of children. Self-evaluation is in the early stages of development. The childminder has begun to identify both the strengths and areas for improvement in her setting. She acknowledges that she is not familiar with all the requirements and has not clearly identified how she will record and assess children’s progress in order to plan to support their individual development.

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provision

The childminder fosters effective relationships with parents and offers a flexible service to accommodate their requirements. She discusses her policies with them, offers a daily diary and exchanges information on a daily basis. This supports continuity of care. The childminder works closely with parents and the schools children attend to ensure children’s individual needs are met. Parents are happy with the care the childminder provides and particularly like the happy family environment and her professionalism.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is calm and patient in her interaction with children. Children respond positively to the clear explanations she gives them with regard to behaviour and how to keep themselves safe and consequently they behave well. They help to tidy up the toys when they have finished playing with them and are mindful of younger children present. The childminder interacts well with children and aspects such as individual child-height coat pegs make them feel welcome. Children appear confident and at home in her care. The childminder is aware of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage but she has not yet developed a system for observing and assessing children’s achievements. As a result, it is not easy to identify how activities link to children’s interests or next steps in learning or to assess their individual progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the available activities. They participate in games that enable them to practice their knowledge of letters and initial sounds, counting skills and recognition of flat shapes with effective support from the childminder. A child identifying a square and its initial sound spontaneously adds 'and sq for squash'. Young children develop understanding of how simple technology works by pushing buttons and flaps to make objects pop-up. There is sufficient space for children to move around freely and safely inside and they enjoy crawling through a tent and tunnel. Children also develop understanding of physical exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle through playing in the garden, visits to play parks and walks in the local area to see the horses.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children access a range of resources that are age appropriate and maintained in a clean and safe condition. A number of resources are stored at low-level in the living room encouraging children’s independence as they make decisions about what they wish to play with. The childminder supports children to adopt effective hygiene routines. Children know they need to wash their hands at appropriate times 'because of germs'. 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 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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