Mrs Ethelston's CofE 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 141525 Inspection date 08/01/2009 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult children in their house in Newport Pagnell. Access to the house is gained from the front garden path. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five; two on a full-time basis and two on a part-time basis during term time and school holidays. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children and takes them to the local park. The family have three pet cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and confident in this home from home environment where the childminder uses her substantial experience to effectively promote most aspects of children's care and education in an inclusive manner. Every child is truly valued as a unique individual and children make good progress in their learning and development, although observation and assessment systems are emergent. Risk assessments are not sufficiently developed. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents and other professionals involved in the lives of children to underpin their welfare. She has not yet begun to develop processes for identifying strengths and weaknesses in her provision to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment system to demonstrate how the activities and observations are used to identify learning priorities for individual children and show their progression, using the criteria from the practice guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop further the quality and frequency of risk assessments  develop a quality improvement process as the basis for ongoing self- evaluation to identify strengths and take appropriate action to address weaknesses.

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provision

Children experience a good quality of care and education in this family home, supported by clear, specific, policies and procedures and most required written records. Copies of documentation are available for parents and the partnership is strengthened by daily dialogue on delivery and collection of each child. Extremely effective communication strategies demonstrate the value placed upon partnership This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 working by the childminder who makes every effort to keep parents informed about details of their child's time with her.

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provision

All activities involve all the children at their individual developmental level, as the childminder offers a fully inclusive programme of activities. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents at the pre-placement stage and re-visited regularly during daily conversations with parents and carers. The childminder has fully developed her practice with regard to children who speak English as an additional language. For example, she ensures that she can speak a few key words in the children's home language. Children's welfare is properly safeguarded. The childminder is extremely vigilant and preventative action is always taken to address identified hazards and effectively minimise the risk to children. However, written risk assessment details are insufficiently developed. She has not begun a critical analysis of her provision, despite exploring the self-evaluation form and recognising the value of this as a tool for securing continuous improvement in the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children build close and trusting relationships with this childminder. For example, they are happy to refer to her and readily respond to the warm smiles and cuddles which she offers. Children benefit from a well thought out learning environment which helps them to progress towards the early learning goals. For example, the childminder makes excellent use of the space available in her home, using the dining area for drawing, mark-making and table top activities and the floor space in the living room for more active play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have lots of choice and the childminder readily responds to child-led play, sustaining a high quality of interaction with the children which develops positive attitudes to learning. She sets age-appropriate challenges, encouraging very young children to count and recognise numerals on the wall chart whilst discussing age. The childminder has begun to make insightful, annotated photographic observations of children's learning. For example, photographs show children taking pride in their achievement to decorate their own Christmas trees with hand made collage ornaments. However, planning and assessment systems are emergent and do not yet clearly demonstrate progress or identify the next steps for children's learning. They are not yet sufficiently linked to the guidance documents to fully secure children's progression through the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder flexibly organises her week to ensure that children benefit from balanced, planned and purposeful play, in and out of doors, at home and at a variety of groups. A particular favourite is the music group where the children sing, dance and meet new faces in a social context. Children have daily access to fresh air and exercise to develop their physical skills. They walk to and from school, play in the local parks and visit the town shops. Suitable documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and clear, robust, procedures are in place, protecting the children's health and well-being. The children learn about keeping safe in the home and beside the road. Children's behaviour is managed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well and effective strategies ensure their social, physical and economic well-being are very well met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any 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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