The Anderson 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 128677 Inspection date 25/02/2009 Inspector Claire Jean Douglas

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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 1998. She lives in Downham with her two sons, aged 14 and six years. The childminding takes place mainly in the downstairs lounge, however, the whole of the house is registered, with access to the toilet, bathroom and sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet bearded dragon, which is kept in a locked tank in the lounge during childminding hours.

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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. There are currently three children in the early years age group on roll, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes the children to local parks, library music sessions, toddler and childminding groups and other places of interest on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is proactive in attending relevant training. She has completed National Vocational Qualifications at level 2 and 3 in Childcare and has a high scope qualification. She belongs to a childminding network and is a support childminder for new childminders. She is also a priority childminder for Lewisham Early Years and supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is highly effective and dedicated to promoting children's welfare, learning and development. Excellent partnerships with parents, childminders and other agencies effectively contribute to ensuring that the needs of all children are fully met and that they receive the required support. Children's happiness is prioritised, along with creating an environment which is inclusive, safe, stimulating and welcoming to all. The childminder is fully aware of her strengths and is constantly developing these. She regularly reviews her practice, making changes where appropriate, which leads to continual improvement in the effectiveness of the provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue developing knowledge of the EYFS to enhance good practice.

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provision

The childminder's excellent standards and dedication to children's personal development is paramount and the reason why children are happy, content and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 settled. The childminder demonstrates well the capacity to improve as she has successfully addressed the recommendation set at the last inspection, along with using ongoing plans to develop the service she provides. For example, the childminder is awaiting further training, which benefits the children, as she is keeping her knowledge of current childcare practices up to date. Plans to make improvements to the children's weekly routine are also in place, ensuring that all the children benefit fully from the groups visited, as well as selecting the most appropriate times for further 1:1 sessions with each child. All this contributes to further enhancing the learning and development opportunities for all children.

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provision

The environment the children play in is kept safe and secure, both indoors and outdoors, through extremely effective risk assessments, for example, the childminder has detailed assessments of each regular outing they make, highlighting any identified potential risks and safety restraints which the childminder may use, such as hand holding or straps attached to the buggy. This helps to ensure the children are kept safe at all times.

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provision

The childminder monitors the service she provides through various methods of self-evaluation, including data from parents, discussions with childcare professionals and organisations, as well as continually assessing the level at which she is meeting the individual needs of each child. This contributes significantly to children's happiness and well-being whilst they are with the childminder.

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provision

The childminder is professional, conscientious and thorough in her implementation of policies and procedures, for instance, parents sign the accident book to confirm that they are fully aware of any accidents their child has had during the day. There are clear procedures for administering any medicine that children need, all of which meet the legal requirements. The childminder ensures that all adults in contact with the children are suitable. She is clear on the lines of reporting for safeguarding children and has the current guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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provision

The childminder offers parents daily verbal feedback, along with a detailed 'share book' which informs them of their child's routine each day. Parents are able to view their child's scrapbook which the childminder makes and updates regularly with photographs of the children at play and going about their routine. On entering the setting, parents are warmly welcomed with examples of their children's work, which is displayed attractively on a notice board, along with weekly menus and information about forthcoming events. This gives the parents reassurance and helps them to relate to what their child has been doing. Parents are aware that they can call or text at any time to see how their child is doing. The childminder makes detailed observations of the children, which the parents can see when they wish. She arranges update meetings for parents to discuss in detail plans for the children. All these factors encourage excellent partnerships and continuity of care

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provision

for the children as well as creating a transparent service which is built on trust.

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provision

Children's starting points are discussed fully at registration and any individual needs are sensitively worked through in partnership to fully promote the child's development. Priority is given to promoting the welfare of all children irrespective of their background or ability. The childminder actively liaises with other agencies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and has built links with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as the local pre-school and primary schools, which promotes the integration of care, education and any extended services.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a happy, warm and stimulating learning environment which, supported by positive input and well chosen quality resources, assists children's progress towards the early learning goals. Children develop their independence as they choose from a variety of activities on offer in the lounge or take part in an adult-led activity, such as cooking. The opportunities offered to the children are adapted to allow all children to take part and achieve as well as they can regardless of their stage of development or ability. The childminder is proactive in ensuring the children are progressing with their development, by observing and making detailed written assessments on all of the children in her care. These assessments are linked to the six areas of learning and include the next steps, which allows the childminder to maximise the children's potential in learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans her time well. Planning is flexible and the children can decide what activities they wish to participate in, which helps to ensure a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Children's independence skills are encouraged as all activities are clearly labelled with pictures and words and stored at their level, so they can choose which activities they would like to play with. The childminder teaches the children the importance of putting away finished activities. This ensures children remain focused, encouraging their concentration, and helps them become aware of safety and trip hazards as well as how resources should be stored. Respect is given to the children, when time constraints mean an activity has to end. For example, when a child became tired and ready for a rest whilst halfway through completing a puzzle, the puzzle was not immediately put away. All the pieces were put onto a board so that the child could complete the task after

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is excellent and this is encouraged through good example, praise and reminders to children to be kind and share with one another. Children follow good hygiene routines and play games such as 'circle the picture' when they need to wash their hands, which helps children to learn about looking after themselves. Children are offered a flexible, healthy diet which focuses on the recommended 'five a day' amount of fruit and vegetables. Water is available at all times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder incorporates and supports children's learning whilst they are having fun, leading to confident learners. For example, mathematical language was brought in as they were looking at a picture of flowers. When the childminder asked a child how many flowers he could see, the child counted them confidently up to 17. The child was praised and his learning reinforced. Children develop physical skills as they dance and move to the beat of the maracas and other instruments and as they sing songs. Children have excellent access to a range of resources which promote diversity and equality, which helps them to develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 positive attitudes to society and learn about the world we live in. Children gain great confidence in language and literacy skills as they converse and interact enthusiastically with the childminder and one another, extending their vocabulary

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as they play. The childminder ensures that children enjoy learning, for example, she provides each child with a laminated photograph of themselves with their names attached with Velcro, the children can move the letters around and learn where each letter goes. Children use resources such as shape sorters, bricks and puzzles to learn about space, shape and measure. They enjoy sand play, sticking and painting, music sessions and cake baking to express their creativity. The childminder ensures that each child has sight of photographs of their own family whilst they are at the childminder's home; the children have made their own family trees with photographs, this develops the child's sense of belonging, helping them to create an attachment with the setting. Children have regular outdoor experiences that support the development of physical skills, such as the green chain walk. Young ones can have time out of the buggy to walk along and see the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

ducks and squirrels and experience the nature around them. The childminder ensures the children learn from the world around them, for example, the children get involved in planting and caring for flowers and they explore insects and wildlife in their natural environments. Children are well supported with their learning and understanding of their own backgrounds and cultures and those of the community around them, including people of different ages, backgrounds, cultures and those with a variety of disabilities. This encourages the children to embrace the similarities and differences between them as they grow up in a diverse society. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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