Portesbery 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 125474 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Sarer Marcia Tarling

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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 1987. She has completed a National Vocational Qualification in Early Years Childcare and Education. The childminder lives with her husband, two adult daughters and teenage son. The family home is situated in North Fleet and is close to public transport, shops, schools and parks. The whole of the premises are suitable, however, minding generally takes place on the ground floor. The premises are accessible and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time. There are currently four children attending, in the early years age group, all on a part-time basis. The childminder also has three older children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a support childminder for newly qualified minders in her area.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The experienced and motivated childminder provides a highly effective service which ensures children's welfare, learning and development is extremely well promoted. Children are achieving because the childminder values diversity, embraces the concept of inclusion, has an excellent knowledge of all the children and ensures their unique needs are addressed. The childminder has established systems in place for tracking children's development and progress and the effective partnership with parents and other settings that children attend is a key strength. Excellent communication systems help ensure consistency as all are fully involved in the children’s care, learning and development and this contributes significantly to ensuring the individual needs of children are met. The childminder is committed to improving outcomes for children and her ability to maintain continuous improvement is excellent, enabling her to

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

take her exemplary practice from strength to strength.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop systems for including the information on individual children's next steps in planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is committed to continually updating her childcare knowledge by attending training courses and workshops put on by the National Childminding Association and the local authority. The childminder has effectively addressed the recommendation made at her previous inspection and regularly reviews her practice, the care and learning environment and looks for ways to continually improve it. Children are involved in the evaluation of outings and activities and parents are fully involved in the childminder's evaluation process through the use of questionnaires, which enable the childminder to review and improve her practice for children and parents.

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provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded. There are robust arrangements in place for vetting all adults in the household. The childminder has a practical approach to risk assessment which enables children to explore within safe boundaries both in the home and when on outings. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when using public transport as the childminder teaches them to stay behind the yellow lines until the train comes to a stop. Children participate in regular emergency evacuation practices which help reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fire. The childminder has attended recent training for safeguarding children and as a result has up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the procedures relating to child protection. Children are involved in discussions raising their awareness of potential dangers when using the internet and stranger danger. As a result, children learn about keeping themselves safe in a range of situations.

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provision

Parents are able to use the childminder's written policies and procedures as a useful reference tool. Care is taken to ensure documentation such as, consent from parents, registers, accident and medication records are clearly recorded and shared routinely with parents promoting accountability. Photographs of children enjoying activities and information posters provide reassurance and guidance for parents. The childminder ensures she works in partnership with parents and the other settings children attend by using tools such as, a three way contact book. Parents are encouraged to share their knowledge of their child's development during the settling in period and during ongoing discussions with the childminder.

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provision

Each child has a ‘Learning Journey’ book where their progress is carefully monitored through the childminders close interaction, observation and assessment. The child-centred environment is comfortable and has displays of educational posters, examples of art and craft work and is organised to maximise opportunities for children. There is a varied range of excellent quality toys and resources, and children are able to move around independently and make choices as they can easily access what they want from the clear storage boxes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans the daily routine to ensure children benefit from the wide and varied range of appropriately challenging activities and resources in both indoor and outdoor environments. Children are able to become independent and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 creative learners as the childminder provides both adult-led and child-initiated activities which cover all areas of learning. A superb range of resources, along with skilled support from the childminder, help children to develop their literacy, numeric, and information and communication technology skills. As a consequence, children are becoming competent in communicating, are developing rapidly and acquiring the skills necessary for their future learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about diversity through the meaningful craft activities and outings where they find out how others celebrate their beliefs and festivals. The childminder ensures all learning experiences are inclusive as all children are encouraged to explore the wealth of good quality books and play resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has excellent settling in procedures to enable children to feel at ease within the setting. This also gives her the opportunity to gather information from parents on children's individual needs and interests, as well as their starting points so that she can plan appropriate care and activities. Parents are made to feel very welcome and the childminder works hard to ensure links between nursery/school and home are maintained so that all parties are actively involved in the children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides useful information about children's care, progress and development by sharing a daily contact book, photographs and written observations and sends home project books the children have completed during school holidays. Time is taken to discuss children's next steps with parents, however, the childminder has identified that she wishes to develop her planning system so this information is also recorded on her planning tool so she can share it with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety, health and well-being are exceptionally well promoted. The childminder maintains her first aid qualification ensuring that appropriate care is given in the event of illness or an accident. Effective cleaning routines ensure children play in an exceptionally clean environment where they learn about the importance of personal hygiene through the daily routines. The childminder promotes children’s awareness of healthy eating by using fun and informative place mats and posters, and through an ingenious traffic light menu system where children devise their own menus using colour coded cards. Children routinely enjoy fresh air and exercise in the garden and on the many organised outings, promoting their health and well-being. 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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