Moorlands 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 108102 Inspection date 24/02/2009 Inspector Margaret Moffat

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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 registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The childminder uses most of the ground floor of the house for childminding with the facility for children to sleep on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder also works with another registered childminder on her premises and together, they may care for a maximum of nine children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is aware of each child's uniqueness and interests and provides activities to enhance these. She is fully aware of their individual needs and supports children throughout their time with her. The childminder is committed to ongoing training and development to ensure continuous improvement to the service provided to the children and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the systems in place to ensure children's next steps are clearly identified  develop links with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 notify Ofsted of any changes to persons living or working on the premises (Suitable people) 24/02/2009

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provision

The childminder provides a safe, homely environment for children where they can readily access appropriate toys and resources in the dedicated playroom. These are suitable for their age and stage of development. When working with another childminder in her home, there are systems in place to ensure they meet the needs of the children attending. The childminder ensures children are kept safe through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 daily risk assessments and safety features such as checking that the smoke alarms are in working order and ensuring children are kept safe on outings. The childminder has a good awareness of how to safeguard children in her care and an understanding of child protection issues and the signs and symptoms of abuse. However, the childminder has not informed the regulator of changes to persons living in the home and working at the premises.

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provision

The childminder is beginning evaluate her practice and she is aware to develop this to identify areas for future improvement, for example she has not yet established links with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She seeks parents' views through questionnaires about the setting and the care and learning their children receive. All relevant documentation is completed, and written policies and procedures to support the safety and welfare of the children are in place.

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provision

The childminder develops good relationships and communication systems with parents and this has a positive impact on the welfare and learning of the children. Information is shared through daily verbal feedback and parents having regular opportunities to see their children's development records and discuss their progress. Parents report that they are happy with the way their children are developing and are delighted with care given by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive an enjoyable and challenging experience across the areas of learning. Planning is flexible to allow for both adult-led activities and to follow the children's interests. The childminder knows each child well and is aware of their current interests. Children thoroughly enjoy creative and imaginative play, for instance magic painting, gluing and stickers. They spend time concentrating on these activities enabling them to work independently and make their own creations. They use the water pen across the magic picture to reveal the picture underneath and peel the backs of sticker shapes and stick them on the paper. They call out to the childminder 'look it's higgle piggle'. The childminder joins in their play and asks questions to encourage their thinking such as 'who is in the picture?' and 'what are they doing?'. The childminder builds good relationships with the children, and their self-esteem and sense of achievement are developing well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

For example, as children ask the childminder to hold up their painting to see the completed work, she praises them for their efforts and they smile with delight.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes children at play and uses photographs and written records to record their progress and to share this information with parents. However, information from the assessment does not always clearly identify children's next steps in learning. The childminder demonstrated a good awareness of child development, and planning shows children experience a good range of activities to cover the areas of learning. Children have regular opportunities to play outdoors in the garden, in the park and go for walks. This ensures they develop their physical skills and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They learn about the wider world around them through outings in the local community and playing with a range of activities which reflect positive images of others such as books, dressing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 up clothes and small world resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children settle well as they arrive from nursery and happily play together as the childminder prepares lunch. They build the train track and ask others to pass them certain pieces to complete the round. They are polite as they say thank you to the other children. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe through discussions about tidying away toys after use to prevent them falling over or tripping, taking part in emergency evacuation and learning about road safety while on outings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder prepares the meals provided by the parents and ensures that food and drink are stored and prepared appropriately. The childminder ensures the food prepared is at the correct temperature before she gives it to the children. Children are provided with a range of healthy snacks such as fruit and raisins, further developing their awareness of healthy eating. Children play in a clean, well- maintained home environment in which good hygiene routines help minimise risks of cross-infection, keeping children healthy and well. 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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