The Len Wastell Infant 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 114808 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Teresa Elkington

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently has five children on roll, in the early years age range, who attend on a full and part time basis. She is also registered to care for children overnight. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group and local childminding group. The family has guinea pigs and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an exceptionally high quality care and learning environment, which enables children to grow and flourish in her care. Children receive extremely good support from the childminder who has an extensive knowledge of each child's play preferences and individual stages of development. The childminder has developed extensive systems of assessing children's progress and capabilities to enable her to plan effectively for their next steps in their learning. Strong partnerships with parents and other practitioners ensures that each child is fully supported, which enables them to progress towards their next steps in learning. The childminder continuously improves the service she provides to ensure it is of the highest standard.

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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 systems for self-evaluation to continually improve outcomes for children

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provision

The childminder is very committed to the children for whom she cares and creates exceptionally stable, long term childminding arrangements. The childminder has developed an extensive range of policies and procedures in support of all areas of her service. Effective written assessments aid the childminder in identifying aspects of potential risks within the immediate environment and beyond. The childminder has an extensive knowledge of protecting children, as she is very aware of recognising any concerns and reacting appropriately. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is extremely well organised. She presents her documentation methodically, which ensures that all required documentation is in place, well maintained and stored appropriately. Partnership with parents is exemplary; parents report that they are delighted with the excellent care and service that their

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provision

childminder provides. Parents are fully informed about the care that their children receive and the progress they make, because the childminder maintains and shares comprehensive written evidence with them. For example, new parents receive a welcome pack containing all policies and procedures, and all parents receive individual play plans. The high quality of partnerships with parents and other providers mean that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully included in all activities and make very good progress in her care.

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provision

The childminder strives for improvement to provide high quality care and education. This is monitored though informative self evaluation, although the childminder is very aware that she must maintain these systems to ensure continual improvement and high standards in children's learning. The childminder is proactive in ensuring that her own skills and knowledge are continually developed. She has attended numerous courses in support of her work with young children and she is currently attending a diploma course to develop her skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are extremely comfortable in their surroundings and move freely around all areas of the home identified for their use. Independence is encouraged as children have access to wide range of good quality resources which effectively supports their individual needs and interests. An abundance of children’s work is on display for all to enjoy, which promotes and provides a sense of belonging within the welcoming environment that is provided for all children. The childminder provides an inclusive provision where all children have their individual needs met. They enjoy activities both planned and child initiated, appropriate to their stage of development and to ensure that children's needs and desires are supported and developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a rich range of activities which contributes to their imaginative, physical creative and language skills. They enjoy looking at books independently and during shared story times with the childminder. Children engage in a variety of play experiences which enable them to act out familiar scenarios and extend their understanding of their own and their immediate world. For example; children act out their experiences of visiting the vets with their own pets, through the creative set up of a veterinary surgery in the role play area. The childminder plans activities to encourage and develop children's awareness of diversity. They explore festivals of their own and cultures of others and have formed links with children living in other parts of the world. Clear and consistent boundaries help children understand what is expected of them and help them to understand right from wrong.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder places a high emphasis on children's health and well-being, which helps children to follow a healthy lifestyle. Children develop their understanding of good personal hygiene routines from an early age. For example, they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged to wash their hands before snacks and meals, after toilet routines and messy play activities. Children are well nourished and receive meals that are reflective of their dietary needs and preferences. Children have regular opportunities to experience many outdoor activities away from the home, they go on walks, where they learn about their immediate surroundings; they attend mother and toddler groups where they socialise and play alongside their peers and participate in outdoor pursuits, which provide opportunities for them to use a range of outdoor apparatus, where they can develop their dexterity and muscle

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the warm and caring interactions of the childminder, who is always on hand to support and guide all aspects of their care and play experiences. The childminder fully understands the age and stage of development of the children in her care, she is very aware of their individual characteristics and their growing development, which enable her to provide many opportunities for children to grow and flourish in her care. 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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