Pikemere 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 145036 Inspection date 12/05/2009 Inspector Jan Healy

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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 for approximately 19 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two teenage daughters on a modern estate on the southern edge of Trowbridge. She is registered to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time. Currently she has eight children on roll in the early years. She employs an assistant when necessary. The children have access to the whole of the house, but use the first floor bathroom and bedrooms for sleeping only. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The family have three cats, two of whom do not come near the children. Six rabbits live in hutches in the garden and there are fish in a tank.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder promotes inclusive practice, taking into consideration the children's age, stage of development and their individual needs when planning a broad range of activities. All policies are understood by the childminder's assistant and the parents, allowing all to work cohesively. Both the boys and the girls have equal access to all the resources available and all children enter a happy and welcoming home, where their well- being is a priority.

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further?

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

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further?

 update understanding with regard to child protection issues to be able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately  further the children's independence in being able to self-select the toys of their choice, for example, by the labelling of toy boxes in words and pictures

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provision

The childminder has many years experience of caring for young children and keeps herself up to date about the changes that occur within early years, by the attendance of training courses and the reading of relevant material. She maintains her records and puts into place a number of statements and procedures for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Good quality written information is provided to the parents about the provision and the parents are kept informed about the procedure to follow in the event of them wishing to raise a concern. The childminder seeks relevant information from the parents about the children's individual needs, to ensure all their requirements are met. Both parties keep each other up to date about the children's achievements. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder actively strives for improvement and has an effective method of self-

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provision

evaluation in place, which helps her to identify her own strengths and weaknesses. Through the planning and promotion of continuous improvement, the childminder is able to ensure the positive impact of the overall quality of the provision. Risk assessments take place regularly and are of high quality and include the indoors, garden and all outings the children attend. The childminder has some understanding about the procedure to follow in the event of raising a concern with regard to child protection, but lacks confidence in this area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children remain safe whilst in the care of the childminder, as she takes appropriate precautions to eliminate any hazards, checking for any damage to toys and resources and discarding them before play if necessary. The children are taught to keep themselves safe when playing on wheeled toys in the outdoor play area and about how to prevent bumping into each other and causing injury. The premises are secure with an effective arrival and departure plan in place and the parents are kept up to date about the procedure that will take place, in the event of the children being uncollected. The childminder ensures the children in her care remain healthy during their stay. A sick children policy prevents the spread of illness, which the parents are requested to adhere to. The children have the benefit of eating a healthy and nutritious snack and they are reminded to quench their thirst particularly after physical play, so they remain hydrated. Mealtimes are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

taken at the dining room table, where the children chat easily to each other about events that are important to them, such as their achievements. This not only encourages the children to further their social skills but it also aids to extend the children's vocabulary. The childminder effectively implements a thorough policy with regard to the administration of medication, for the benefit of the children's health. The children behave very well as they are happy and want to please the childminder. They share a warm relationship and comply with the boundaries that are set for their safety and welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised in the planning of interesting and challenging activities. She has good knowledge about the stage of development the children have reached, making use of this information to ensure their age, interests and skills are taken into consideration. Observations take place regularly to ensure the children are gaining as much as possible from the play opportunities available. Written records carefully record information about the children's learning, with consideration being given to their next stage of learning. The children have ample opportunities to climb large apparatus in the garden and are learning to throw and to catch a ball with increasing accuracy. They are taken on trips to the local farm, where they learn about lambing, about the breeds of large animals, such as cows, and about how to care for others. They are learning skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being, as they have many

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

opportunities to make use of programmable toys and are developing good habits in being active and inquisitive learners. There are a wide range of books, which the children enjoy looking at and request the childminder to read them stories, whilst they join in with repetitive refrains. The children draw and paint, with their pictures being mounted sensitively, allowing the children to wallow in their success. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are learning to make marks on paper and to write their name. The toy boxes and cupboards where much of the resources are stored, however, are not labelled. This makes self-selection difficult, as the children have to request the toys of their choice, and therefore, does not encourage their independence. 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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