Russell House 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 118984 Inspection date 26/01/2009 Inspector Anne Jeanette Faithfull

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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 1988. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their adult child in Bracknell, Berkshire. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups which are nearby. The childminder can take children to and collect them from local schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The premises are readily accessible. Her registration permits her to care for three children in the early years age range, at any one time, and she is currently minding two children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) on a full time basis. The family have three pet rabbits.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works extremely well with parents to ensure she meets every child's individual needs. She provides a fully inclusive, homely and caring environment for the children who become part of her extended family. Children's learning, development and welfare needs are met appropriately through activities both in the home and in the local community. Activities and experiences are adapted by the childminder to ensure all children are included at a level suitable to their abilities and understanding. The childminder’s dedication and enthusiasm for her work over many years ensures that she is committed to continually improving her childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 practise the fire evacuation procedures with the children

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provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of how children develop and learn through play and she uses her experience gained over many years to provide a suitable learning environment for the children. She organises her home well, to ensure children have a wide range of interesting, stimulating and fun activities to support their learning and meet their individual needs. The childminder offers an inclusive setting, valuing all children equally. She works effectively with parents to meet their needs as well as the children’s and has minded for siblings from the same families for many years. Children still come to visit her and keep in contact owing to the caring, supportive relationship she developed with them whilst they were in her care. The childminder’s home is safe and secure. Regular safety checks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and risk assessments are completed which further ensures children’s safety.

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provision

All documentation is in place such as, the daily register and all documentation is stored in a secure and confidential manner. Children are safeguarded well; the childminder ensures that only suitable adults have regular contact with the children. The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the action she would take if she were concerned about a child in her care. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice and is committed to on going development. She has accessed child protection training on line and has identified areas for further development such as, training in relation to the EYFS. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been all been addressed indicating the childminder’s commitment to continuous improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and have a close relationship with the childminder and her family. They thoroughly enjoy their time in her care. Children develop their independence as they choose the resources they wish to use and the childminder sits with them extending their learning through play by asking relevant questions. Each child has their own memory book, which includes photos of the children taking part in a range of activities and written comments made by the childminder on their enjoyment and progress. Children have the opportunity to gain knowledge of their local area through walks and outings for example; they all enjoy feeding apples to the Shetland ponies and readily talk about feeding the ponies to visitors to the home. Children socialise with others as the childminder runs a toddler group three times a week and takes the minded children with her. This gives the children the opportunity to use a range of different resources so they can develop their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

own play with others and further promotes their early learning and development. Children use their imagination well as they pretend to speak to their parents on the mobile phone and are becoming aware of how to use technology as they ask the childminder to play favourite songs they can listen to on her on her mobile phone.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s health and well-being are promoted well as the childminder reminds the children to wash their hands and provides paper towels for them to use. Children’s individual dietary needs are known and the childminder is aware how to store the food parents supply for their children appropriately. Children are beginning to be aware of safety issues and their own safety. The childminder reminds them why they can hear an alarm every Monday, which is part of the security procedures at a nearby hospital and not to put their legs out when on the sofa as other children may bump into them. The childminder talks to the children about fire evacuation and the steps to take in the event of an emergency, however she has not yet practised these with the children so they become familiar with the steps to take. Children have many opportunities to promote and develop their physical skills as they push their play prams on the daily school walk and visit local parks to use a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to be aware of the house rules in place and readily share their toys with others. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure she is consistent with behaviour strategies used in their own home. The childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sensitive to children’s family situations and works in partnership with the parents to discuss and explain concerns children may have for example, bereavement. The childminder is a good role model and this helps to contribute to the calm environment. Children are encouraged to think about others as the childminder explains to them why they are helping her ice the biscuits and cakes she and the children make to sell for the children in need appeal. 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? 2 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 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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