Whitmore Infant School and Nursery

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 114816 Inspection date 15/05/2009 Inspector Kerry Iden

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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 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

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.

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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 1994. The childminder shares her family home with her two teenage children and is situated in a residential area of East Worthing. The childminder uses all areas of the ground floor for childminding and only access the first floor for the use of the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property.

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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 to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, no more than one may be under one year at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group and most children attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools and nearby facilities, such as play areas, parks and the beach.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers a homely relaxed feel, not only to the children in her care but also with their parents as they chat informally at the start of the day. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been fully addressed and the childminder is developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuous improvement. The childminder provides an inclusive setting for all children with differentiation in the activities to allow them to all achieve their potential and work with the parents to meet all children’s individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure children's progress and achievements are reported to parents and links are established with other settings the children attend who are delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has been registered for many years and adapts her childminding to the ever changing demands to offer good child care. With her developing knowledge of the six areas of learning she is helping children make steady progress towards the early learning goals. Through the review of her documentation and the implementation of the observations and development records of children’s achievements, the childminder is making some evaluation of her practice. The written policies and procedures in place and available to parents, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fully support the smooth running and truly reflect the practice.

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provision

Children are protected by the childminder's secure knowledge of signs and symptoms to look out for that may alert her that a child may be at risk, and has very clear policies and documentation to support her. In addition the childminder has strict policies about the collection of children and with emergency plans in place children are safeguarded from harm.

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provision

Parents receive good information from the childminder when they start in the setting and on a daily basis. The childminder is hoping to extend this soon to share the children’s development records as she gains a better understanding of them herself. In addition to the verbal exchange of information, the childminder completes written daily diaries for the parents to inform them of their children’s care needs as well as different activities and events they have been involved in during the day. On occasions the childminder also supplies additional information to the parents via a newsletter to keep parents fully informed about all aspects of her childminding service, for example, the recent changes under the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled and comfortable within the childminder’s home. They separate from their parents with ease and self select their chosen activity. There is a relaxed feel within the childminder’s home where the childminder dedicates her time to the children, knowing each child and their family well, she ensures she meets all children’s individual needs. The children are learning skills for the future as good manners are promoted and they begin to understand how to sit nicely at the table whilst eating and wait for everyone to finish before leaving the table. Behaviour is managed appropriately for the age and stage of the children attending and praise and encouragement are regularly heard by the children. The childminder joins in with the children’s play but also knows when to sit back and observe from a distance as children challenge themselves. Whilst playing with small construction bricks, the children discuss with the childminder what they want

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to build and work together to create their designs. Children show good levels of confidence as they give both the childminder and the inspector instructions about what they must build.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing particularly well in their problem solving skills. Through their favourite activities of jigsaw puzzles and train track building, children learn a great deal of patience and the ability to work together. As children complete many puzzles they discuss the nursery rhyme pictures on the puzzles before swapping over to have a go at each others. Whilst putting together the pieces they sing the nursery rhymes together as the childminder gives them clear explanations about things they do not know, such as what a well is for. The children work very well as a team when putting the train track together, they talk to each other about where pieces are going to go, solve problems when track does not fit and manage this with very little dispute or adult help.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through routine activities children are developing their creative side. Although This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 some children choose not to do this, the childminder makes it interesting to each child to encourage them to have a little go. The encouragement enables children to try and achieve well as they create the chalk person they thought they could not do. They are then inspired to continue and try their skills at other tricky tasks as they use special scissors to make wavy or zigzag lines.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has made a steady start to observing, recording and assessing the individual achievements of the children. However, as yet the childminder has not shared the records with parents or other settings the children attend who are delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is enabling the children to make steady progress towards the early learning goals as she supplies them with activities that stimulate them and challenges their thinking by asking many open ended questions whilst they themselves just thinking they are having a nice time in their play. 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

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