Lincoln Myle Cross Junior 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 120431 Inspection date 08/01/2009 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 21 years of age in the village of West End in Surrey. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The premises are near to local schools, parks, shops and transport facilities and are accessed via a level pathway from a quiet residential road. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time on the Early Years register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are two children on roll within the early years age range. The childminder looks after older children who attend after school and during the school holidays. The childminder collects children from local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's excellent communication and interaction with children are a key strength in helping children make good progress, although the opportunities for them to improve their physical skills are infrequent. The childminder actively encourages younger and older children's involvement, which means they often choose to do activities together as a group after school, such as drawing and making pom-poms. Additional training has helped the childminder to assess children's development. Although records do not yet include the next step for their learning, they clearly identify the childminder's improved skills in observing and evaluating children's progress. Some safety hazards within the home have not been identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 make the garden safe for children to use and ensure cleaning substances and sharp utensils are made inaccessible to children  improve the opportunities for children's physical development  ensure observations and assessments of children's progress are shared with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage including the next step for children's individual learning

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provision

Children are extremely happy and relaxed due to the very positive and supportive relationships the childminder forms with parents, and her ability to meet children's individual needs by providing a familiar routine. Parents often choose to keep in touch with the childminder long after their children have left, and thank you letters include positive comments such as 'I know my child has thoroughly enjoyed her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 time with you'. The childminder has a very patient and considerate approach, and dedicates her time to being with the children, by being well organised and preparing food in advance. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded due to the childminder's improved knowledge of child protection. All necessary record keeping systems are in place, and a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures are shared with parents.

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provision

Since the last inspection all recommendations have been met. The childminder's self-evaluation identifies strengths, particularly in relation to her patient and caring approach and how that benefits the children, for example, if they are very sensitive to what is happening around them. However, she has not identified all areas that need improvement, such as making better use of the risk assessment to ensure hazards within the home are reduced, and ensuring observations and assessments of children's progress are shared with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is well informed about children's progress, such as 'what they like to do' and 'need help with', because she asks parents to provide developmental details before children start. Children are given the space to do things in their own way and their own time. Consequently they are very relaxed and at ease and show confidence in the way they communicate with the childminder. The childminder is aware that they need time to 'wind down' if they have been at nursery school during the morning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are independent within their play because they are given lots of opportunities to choose play equipment and what they want to do. They are also guided and encouraged to try activities, for which they show less enthusiasm, and the childminder's involvement successfully captures children's interest and participation. This means they widen their range of experiences, develop new skills, and feel a sense of achievement, for example when using the playdough. Children's speech and language development is promoted through lots of discussion and conversation with the childminder. This is evident in relation to their confident communication and wide vocabulary, as they talk about the shapes of the playdough, count and name the colours, and use their imagination to create designs such as 'ghosts'. The childminder gives lots of praise, and her calm and patient approach means that children are co-operative and well behaved.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a good range of experiences. The childminder has a good knowledge of what children like to do such as writing, and making cards. She supports children's interest in art and craft through planned activities such as using 'Hamma beads', making lanterns and spiders, and is observant of their ability to complete activities independently. Children learn about the environment as they collect leaves and use them to make pictures of trees, wind machines from card, and talk about how wind such as hurricanes can affect everyday living. The childminder makes good use of books to link with activities, which reinforces children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are given support with writing their name and cutting out. More able children ask the childminder to write additional words so they can copy them, for example on Christmas cards. This means that children's literacy skills are being

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

extended. The childminder helps children to set up play equipment they like, such as a farm and make houses from Duplo. She keeps what children have previously made, so they can add to their creations. This encourages children to return to activities when they lose interest, complete the task, show their parents, and feel proud of their achievements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Planned weekly topics give some structure to children's learning. For example, children learn about other people's lives through making bears and talking about 'children in need'. This supports what they are doing in school. Good written observations include details of what children have learnt, for example, as they notice the sun shining brightly whilst travelling in the car, talk about it whilst looking at books, and make pictures. Children develop an understanding of differences and celebrations through making lanterns for Diwali, and colouring and sticking pictures of fruit for Harvest Festival. The childminder has some resources that reflect positive images, such as books, although these do not include disability.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder says that some children are very active and usually have access to her garden. However, the garden is not currently in use, as it is unsafe due to improvements, and outings to the park are limited to the school holidays. This means that children do not have the opportunity for regular outdoor play except at nursery and school, and their physical development is not fully promoted. The childminder asks parents and children to give her a list of food they like, and ensures meals she provides are healthy. Children follow good hygiene practice as they are reminded to wash their hands before eating, although they do not have separate hand towels, which presents a risk of cross infection. 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? 3 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 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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