Colchester 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

p.1

Unique reference number 136195 Inspection date 09/04/2009 Inspector Barbara Walters

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was first registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 13 years in Emersons Green, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to 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 six children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. The childminder walks or uses a vehicle to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, soft play and takes children on outings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an accredited member of the South Gloucestershire Children Come First Network. The childminder has an NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of provision is satisfactory. The childminder meets the individual needs of the children through establishing positive partnerships with parents. Children are making suitable progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides them with a satisfactory range of experiences. The childminder ensures that children have a balanced day which includes a varied range of activities in the home, play in the garden and outings to the toddler group and soft play area.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure children of differing abilities are suitably challenged by the learning experiences provided  further develop observation and assessment in order to help children make progress towards the early learning goals and use these for future learning

p.3

provision

The childminder has clear and well written policies and procedures which have been reviewed and updated in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensure children's welfare and safety. Effective safeguarding policies and the childminder's thorough knowledge of child protection issues ensure that children's welfare is protected at all times. Records, such as the medication and accident books are accurately maintained and signed by parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder's home is well organised to provide freedom of movement. The childminder has established supportive and friendly relationships with parents. Systems are in place for sharing children's achievement with parents, for example, the childminder emails photos of their children at play and shares a two-way daily diary. Partnership with other settings in still in its infancy in helping the childminder

p.3

provision

provide children with consistency in their learning and education. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice as she has completed a written evaluation and is aware of some areas of improvement, for example, she is intending to improve the parent's questionnaires to encourage further dialog. The childminder demonstrates a sound commitment to training for example, she has attended training to develop her skills on subjects such as the Early Years Foundation Stage and child protection. She keeps up to date with current childcare issues through the support of other childminders and the network co-ordinator.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children spend their time purposefully with a range of different toys and planned activities which help them make sufficient progress towards the early learning goals. Resources are varied, stimulating and easy for children to select. Well labelled boxes allow them to easily recognise the toys and activities available and children enjoy selecting their toys. The childminder is involved in supporting children's play. They engage in new experiences such as cooking activities and explore the texture of the cereals when mixing in the chocolate. They develop a sound understanding of computer skills through pressing the right buttons on the keyboard to make the right action and begin to learn their own names by picking the cards for the welcome board. The childminder has sufficient knowledge to help children make progress in their early years, although she is not planning activities for individual children with a specific intention in mind. Consequently, children of

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

differing abilities are not suitably challenged by the learning experiences provided. Children's achievements are recorded and illustrated with photographs and examples of their work, and are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Records are kept showing children's learning and identifying some next steps for individual development but these are not sufficiently translated into learning intentions for planned activities.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well nourished as the childminder provides healthy and nutritious food and drinks. They begin to develop a good understanding of healthy eating by helping to grow and prepare their own vegetables and making their own fruit smoothies. They develop a good understanding of why they should wash their hands by using a ultra violet light to explore the germs on their hands. The childminder has a good knowledge of keeping children safe. Her home is maintained in good order and free from hazards and she offers good explanations to help children develop a good understanding of keeping themselves safe. For example, children understand the reasons why they should not stand on their chairs and why they should wait inside the house when the childminder is unlocking the car. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.5

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

p.5

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.5

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

p.5

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? 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?

p.5

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

p.5

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.6