St. Andrew's College Cambridge

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 110932 Inspection date 20/01/2009 Inspector Anne Gunston

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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 has been registered since 1992. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a total of six children under eight years. At present the childminder cares for two children in the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her mother and father. They live in a house in a residential area of Gosport, within close proximity to shops, park and town centre.

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Description of the childminding

The ground floor of the property can be accessed by the children for play and it is the childminder's working practice that the children only access the first floor of the home to use the toilet facilities. There is a rear garden area available for outside play. There are no family pets. The childminder makes use of local community provision on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder welcomes all children warmly into her home and has effective methods in place to ensure that every one is included and involved in the activities she provides. She works in a friendly yet professional manner with parents, which enables her to meet the individual needs of children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure cleaning materials in the bathroom are made safe or inaccessible to children  ensure children are able to move freely and independently through all areas of the home available to them  continue to develop methods of recording children's achievements and systems of planning activities to promote individual children's development.

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provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to continually improving her practice. She attends frequent training opportunities and has informal methods of monitoring the service she provides. The childminder works in close co-operation with other childcare professionals locally to share and develop her knowledge for the benefit of the children. She holds more than adequate qualifications for her role, which enables her to fully promote children's welfare. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is growing although she has an instinctive understanding of how to provide a well-balanced range of activities to promote children's all round development and learning. Children receive enjoyable and interesting experiences when in her care. The childminder has secure understanding of her responsibility This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to protect them from harm. She has attended recent child protection training and

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provision

has a comprehensive policy, which makes parents aware of her commitment. Parents receive copies of all the childminder's policies from the outset and the childminder asks them to sign to confirm that they agree with these. She exchanges information concerning the children in an open, honest manner, using documentation and in conversation at the beginning and end of each day. The childminder has established methods of keeping records, which assist her in promoting children's good health and well-being. She keeps records of attendance, accidents or medication, which are individual to each child, enabling her to maintain confidentiality. The childminder's risk assessment document is detailed and, with few exceptions, is effective in identifying areas of concern and action needed. The premises are secure and generally safe, although cleaning materials in the bathroom are within children's reach. The childminder completes an

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provision

emergency evacuation from the home regularly with children to prepare them for such situations. She is aware of the requirement to provide children with enough space for play at all times. However, this is not always possible as children are sometimes unable to move freely between the conservatory and lounge, which are rooms identified for their use.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises her resources to give children variety in play materials, she rotates the toy provision on a regular basis. She ensures that children are always well supervised, especially when in the outdoor area where she has a formal agreement for use of her neighbour's garden, in addition to her own. Children are able to use the lounge for activities of their choosing, which include some monitored use of the childminder's computer. Children are developing ability to use the information and communication technology (ICT) equipment to research information or for enjoyment of their favourites, such as the CBeebies website. Children receive individual time and attention from the childminder, in addition to time they enjoy in play with others of similar age, where they learn to negotiate and play co-operatively. The childminder arranges activities and experiences, which have specific purpose; children go on trips to the ferry terminal, raising their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

awareness of their local community. They have picnics at the beach where they collect natural materials and often use these to practise their numbers and counting. She involves herself in an uninhibited manner with children's play, giving praise and encouragement at all times, especially when children share and show thought for each other. Children become confident and self-assured, as the childminder is sensitive to their individual character and preferences. For example, children who are less outgoing are able to watch others and experiment with new activities in their own time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning that regular fresh air and exercise are part of a healthy lifestyle. They receive nourishing snacks of fruit or bread sticks and the childminder is happy to serve main meals, which parents provide. Children's health is protected by the childminder's policy of not accepting children who have contagious illness. They are developing independence and learning to keep themselves safe on outings. For example, the childminder will allow older children to walk or run a short distance ahead if the area is enclosed and they stay within This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 view.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder keeps separate development folders for each child in her care, which include photographs to form a record of children's achievements. She has established her own system of noting which area of learning is included in the activities that children enjoy. However, she is not yet making written observations to identify if children have achieved success in a particular area of learning, or require further support to ensure their progress is continuous. The childminder shares these folders with parents periodically, ensuring they are informed about events in their child's day. 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? 2 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 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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