Longthorpe Primary Academy

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 145267 Inspection date 05/03/2009 Inspector Penny Wood

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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 1998. She lives with her parents and sister in Ludgershall, Hampshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used by minded children, in addition to an upstairs bathroom and the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have two dogs, two cats and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has 12 children on roll aged between eight months and ten years old. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years old. Her mother is registered to work as her assistant. The childminder is able to walk and drive to local schools, pre-schools and amenities. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of provision is satisfactory. Children play well, are confident, and settled within the childminder and her assistant’s care. They enjoy a suitable range of age appropriate activities and play opportunities, and are making sound progress within their learning and development. The childminder has good strategies in place to ensure her provision is inclusive and welcoming to all children and their families. She takes appropriate steps to improve her practice. For example, she has implemented the recommendations raised at the last inspection, which further promote children’s safety and wellbeing.

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further?

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

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further?

 use information gained through observations and knowledge of the children to provide challenging activities, which extend children’s learning according to their individual stages of development, whether during adult led or child- initiated activities and play opportunities  continue to increase knowledge and understanding of the areas of learning to ensure children make progress across all aspects of the early learning goals and ensure records are dated to enable their progress to be tracked through time  improve hygiene procedures with particular regard to the cats sitting on the dining table

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provision

Children benefit because the childminder has forged good relationships with their parents and carers. The daily sharing of information between both parties ensures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder is equipped to meet children’s needs and parents remain informed of their children’s time within her care. Parents receive copies of the childminder’s comprehensive policies and procedures, which inform them of her role and responsibilities. On joining her care, the childminder gathers detailed information relating to the child’s routines and abilities to enable her to provide a level of care appropriate for the child’s needs. The childminder values and respects parent’s wishes, and ensures she follows their requests accordingly. Good partnerships between the childminder and the children’s pre-school ensures relevant information is passed between all parties and allows her to gain an insight into

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provision

The childminder has a basic system for reviewing and evaluating her practice. She has implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage framework using the statutory framework and practice guidance documents for support. Some sharing of ideas with other childminders has enabled her to reflect on aspects of her provision and to implement new initiatives where appropriate. Suitable systems are in place to promote children’s safety within the home. For example, children are supervised when passing through the kitchen to the downstairs toilet. Children benefit from the childminder’s good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. As a result, in an emergency she is able to act promptly and in the best interest of the child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy within the childminder’s home environment. Good strategies promote children’s confidence and self-esteem. They enjoy the support and attention they receive from both the childminder and her assistant, who plays a major role in the organisation of the provision. Children enjoy chatting to the childminder and her assistant. They are gaining good skills within their language, with new words being introduced during their play. Children are relaxed and at ease when they talk about their experiences at home and pre-school. They readily name colours of different objects and enjoy using number, such as counting grapes in their snack bowls.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well and enjoy taking responsibility within the daily routines, such as laying their mats on the table at mealtimes, and clearing away their bowls once they have finished eating. Children display caring attitudes towards each other. For example, they share and take turns with the toys, and willingly say thank you when passing items to each other. Children participate in a range of adult led and child initiated activities and play opportunities. They enjoy access to an appropriate range of toys, which are readily accessible and encourage them to self-select and to make choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has begun to initiate appropriate systems to aid her assessment and recording of children’s learning and development, although they are not yet sufficiently in place to enable her to track children’s progress over time. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of the different areas of learning, although is not aware if children are making progress within all aspects of the early learning goals. As a result, children are at risk of not being provided with a balance of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning opportunities and delays in development may not be readily identified.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy being able to choose which activities they would like to participate in and show pride in their creations, showing the finished pictures to the childminder, her assistant and the family dogs. Although following children’s interests and allowing opportunities for them to choose activities, not all learning opportunities are seized upon and children are not sufficiently challenged according to their individual abilities and stages of development. As a result, children’s full learning potential is limited.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from appropriate opportunities to learn about safety. For example, when using scissors, children are reminded to be careful and when on outings they are reminded about road safety. Opportunities to visit local play parks and to play in the garden encourage children to be physically active. Access to an appropriate range of equipment and garden toys enables children to develop their coordination skills and to build muscle strength. Appropriate procedures further promote children’s good health, such as the childminder’s sickness policy and most of her hygiene routines. However, at times the cat enjoys sitting on the dining table, which is also used by children during craft activities and during mealtimes, limiting the effectiveness of some of the hygiene routines in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are respected as individuals, with positive steps taken by the childminder to ensure children’s needs are met. For example, good systems are in place to ensure children with additional needs experience appropriate activities to promote their development. By working with an assistant, the childminder feels that she is able to offer support to all children present, regardless of the range in ages present.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a sound awareness and understanding of diversity through the celebration of different cultural festivals and naturally within their play. For example, children enjoy access to a good range of resources, which depict positive images of race, culture and disability. 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? 3

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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? 3 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 which required the provider to take action.

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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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