Huxlow Science College

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 138030 Inspection date 13/03/2009 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 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult son in Mitcham, Surrey. 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 three children on roll, in the early years age range, who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks 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 three cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children play, learn and are cared for in a welcoming safe and inclusive environment. Effective systems are in place to observe children's development and to plan for their individual future learning needs. Therefore, children make good progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has a good partnership with parents, which ensures a consistent approach. The childminder has a strong commitment to improvement and has effective systems in place to evaluate her service to enable her to plan and develop all aspects of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 build upon children's particular interests by organising play resources effectively to support and extend learning

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provision

Children are safeguarded through the use of effective policies and procedures. Risk assessments are undertaken to support all aspects of the childminding service which ensures that the children's welfare is promoted well. Children are fully supervised at all times as the childminder ensures non-vetted people are not left alone with any child. All of the documentation required to support children's welfare is in place, well maintained and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality. The effective partnership with parents ensures consistent, good quality care for children. Comprehensive systems are in place to keep parents fully informed as to their children's care routines and progress in their learning. The childminder uses individual tracking books to observe and assess children's progress and development. She then uses these observations to plan for children's next steps, taking into account their interests. The childminder works with external

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provision

agencies and other care settings involved in children’s care and learning, which provides a cohesive approach from all agencies and provisions. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrates a positive attitude to building on her good practice, to ensure the continued outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, caring and purposeful play environment, where children feel secure and enjoy a wide variety of learning experiences. The childminder fully understands the age and stage of development of the children in her care and provides a well balanced programme of learning experiences to ensure that children grow and flourish in her care. Children are encouraged to develop their independence as they freely choose from a range of good quality play resources. However, the overall organisation of resources does not easily aid self-selection to allow children to build upon their particular interests and to support and extend their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy caring relationships with the childminder who is on hand to support and guide children in their chosen play experiences. She constantly talks with them and allows them to lead their play, which enables children to be independent and active learners. She provides a range of activities that promote children understanding of their immediate world. For example, a recent project entitled 'houses' provided children with opportunities to look at differences between their own homes and those within the local community. Children's creative flairs are promoted, as they have access to a range of creative resources, which enables them to use and experiment with paint, glue and other malleable mediums, for example, play dough.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well-being is promoted through the use of effective policies and procedures to ensure that children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The childminder supports individual health needs and has systems in place to ensure the children are protected from the spread of infection. The childminder works in consultation with parents to ensure that meals and snacks take into account the dietary requirements of individual children. Children's physical development is encouraged through the use of a range of outdoor play equipment, which is available to them in the garden and through the regular visits made to local parks. Attendance at mother and toddler groups, provide opportunities for children to socialise and build relationships with other children of their own age. The childminder encourages positive behaviour through the use of explanation and gentle reinforcement to ensure that harmonious relationships are developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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