Victoria Dock Primary 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 131510 Inspection date 14/07/2009 Inspector Lilyanne Taylor

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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

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 1997. She lives with her husband and school age child. They live in a terraced house that is situated in a residential area of Bassett Green Southampton. The whole of the house is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed front garden and rear paved area available for outside play. The premises are in close proximity to schools, pre-schools, shops and parks.

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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. Currently there are seven children on roll; of these six are in the early years age group. Care is also able to be provided for children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The operational hours of the setting are Monday to Friday from 07.00 to 18.00 all year round. Children’s hours of attendance are able to be flexible within these times.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and pre-school. She also attends local toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder works alongside parents to ensure she has a sound knowledge and understanding of all children in attendance and that their individual welfare and learning needs are appropriately supported and met. She has effective systems in place for monitoring and evaluating her practice to ensure continual improvement and takes appropriate action to ensure areas she identifies for improvement are addressed. For example, she highlighted the need to keep up to date with changes in the early years sector and attended training to gain knowledge of how to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

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further?

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

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further?

 include in the record of risk assessment any assessments of risks for outings and trips  further develop children's records of progress to include information of how/when children have achieved their identified next steps so it is clear to see the actual stage they are at in their learning and development

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 28/07/2009

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provision

Children are cared for in a provision that is clean, comfortable and well organised. The childminder welcomes all children into her care. She makes time to get to know the children and their families to ensure she is able to meet all their individual needs. All records, for ensuring children's well-being are in place and shared with parents as required.

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provision

The childminder is in breach of a welfare requirement as she does not maintain a record of risk assessment. However, this failure is not impacting on children's safety because the childminder has a full understanding of all potential risks children may be exposed to indoors, outdoors and while on outings and of the action she would take to manage them.

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provision

The childminder's sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures she should follow should she suspect abuse of a child ensures children's welfare is fully safeguarded.

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provision

Action the childminder has taken in response to areas identified for improvement at her last inspection have improved the welfare and safety of children. The outdoor play areas have been re-organised to ensure children can play safely on equipment, such as a slide and dining chairs now have booster seats fitted so that younger children can safely sit at a high table. Good hygiene practices in place ensure children have many opportunities to practise hand washing throughout the day.

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provision

The childminder has established good working relationships with parents and offers flexible settling-in periods for each child and their family. When children start attending her provision she ensures she is fully aware of their welfare and learning needs. Parents are aware of the care and education they can expect their children to receive. A recently introduced welcome pack provides clear information about the operational procedures of the provision and some of the policies the childminder works to.

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provision

The childminder exchanges information with parents daily about the care their children have been provided with, some of the activities they have undertaken and any achievements they may have made. In addition, each child has a daily diary, which shows photographs of them engaging in a range of activities and provides an overview of how they have spent their day. Children's records of progress are available at any time for parents to view and at the end of each term they are invited to comment on the progress their children are making. Parents express they are very pleased with the standard of care and education their children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 receive.

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provision

The childminder works hard to ensure children receive a consistently good level of care and standard of education. She demonstrates her commitment to this through the procedures she has in place for monitoring the effectiveness of her provision and the consultation she has with parents and other EYFS providers to ensure all children's individual care and learning needs are continuously supported.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has sound knowledge of how children learn and develop, and knows all the children in her care extremely well. She finds out from parents what their learning and development starting points are and provides activities and/or support based on this information. The childminder is maintaining a record of children's progress. However, because at this time records do not clearly identify when or how children have achieved their identified next steps of learning, it is not clear to see the actual stage of development they are at.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to be independent and make their own choice of activities they wish to play with. Resources are organised to be safe, stage appropriate and easily accessible.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn through their play as they have access to fun and stimulating activities. They enjoy the time they spend at the childminders and have fun. Whilst playing with blowing bubbles children laugh and giggle as they compete in a friendly way against each other to see who can create the biggest bubble and who can catch the most.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from their regular attendance at the local Sure Start and early years centres. Here they learn how to socialise with their peers and also have the opportunity to be creative when they participate in a range of art and craft activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning because the childminder allows them to follow their interests. They thoroughly enjoy playing in the home corner and organise a tea party for all their dolls. Children who show an interest in trains are taken to the local railway station so they can see them in operation.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe. They are introduced to road safety when on outings and they practise the procedures for evacuating the premises in an emergency. Through discussion, and lots of explanation, they learn acceptable behaviour and become aware of the effect their behaviour has on others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle and are fully protected from germs and infection. Their snacks consist of pieces of freshly cut fruit and the childminder ensures children wash their hands prior to eating and after toileting. In addition the childminder ensures that the premises, equipment and resources are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly cleaned. Children are able to play out in the fresh air each day, irrespective of the weather as the rear garden has a paved area that provides an all weather surface for children to play on. They have regular access to a range of equipment, such as a slide, sit and ride toys and sand and water play, all of which are available in the garden. 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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