Southway 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 125941 Inspection date 18/02/2009 Inspector Jenny Howell

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and two of their children, aged 15 and 8, in Crayford, Kent. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The house is accessed via a small step to the front door, with bathroom facilities downstairs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding a total of three children under eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The setting is very effective in meeting the needs of all children, through recognising them as unique individuals. Children make good progress in their learning and development, through the good range of opportunities and activities which are planned and provided. Children's welfare is effectively promoted by good organisation and well-established routines. The childminder is able to evaluate her own practice in order to identify strengths and bring about improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 consolidate the use of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support observational assessment and planning in order to help children make good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas.

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provision

The careful maintenance of all required records helps to ensure the safe and efficient care of children. Records are up-to-date and contain all the information the childminder needs in order to meet children's individual needs. The childminder has completed appropriate training, including first aid, in order to ensure children can be well cared for. A well-organised environment effectively helps to support children's play and learning as toys are easy for them to access independently.

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provision

The childminder is able to identify strengths and areas for development through a system of self-evaluation. This supports her in continually improving, as demonstrated by the improvements the childminder has made to her knowledge and understanding by completing NVQ Level 3 training since her last inspection. Effective risk assessments of all areas of the home, as well as for trips and outings, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 successfully help the childminder to identify and minimise hazards to children. As a result, children play in a safe and secure environment, with a childminder who has a good awareness of potential dangers. Open and positive relationships with parents help to ensure that the childminder gets to know children well and, as a result, can care for them as individuals, according to their unique needs, interests and personalities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Learning is very well supported. The childminder has started to record observations of what children can do uses this information well to determine what steps they need to take next. Although, this is not yet fully integrated with the use of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to ensure that children make progress towards all of the early learning goals. Children currently enjoy a good balance of different types of activity and are very well supported in becoming active, independent learners, who take an interest in the world around them. They are able to follow their own interests as the childminder makes available a good range of activities and resources which capture their interest and imagination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy trips around the local area as well as further afield. They travel by train to visit the capital and learn about animals from around the world as they visit the zoo. Babies are well supported as they investigate a wide variety of cause and effect toys and show delight as they successfully make music with instruments. Children develop their problem solving skills as they build with bricks and complete age appropriate puzzles. They learn to play with others as they visit local toddler groups and develop good communication skills as older children are encouraged to ask and answer questions and babies have their emerging speech celebrated and repeated back to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Effective steps are taken to keep children safe. Children learn about personal, and road safety as they are out and about, talking about how to cross roads safely and learn how to use toys and equipment safely at home. Children also learn how to keep themselves healthy. They have regular opportunities to exercise as they play in the garden, visit the park and walk around the local area. Older children begin learning about good hygiene as they clean their hands before eating. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and works well with parents to ensure that children's welfare is promoted. Children enjoy a close relationship with the childminder, ensuring that they feel safe and secure and able to learn and develop with confidence. 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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