Ark Little Ridge 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 141022 Inspection date 06/07/2009 Inspector Janet Armstrong

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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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her three sons aged 17, 14 and 11 years in a detached house in Blandford Forum, Dorset. The ground floor is used as the main accommodation for childminding purposes. This comprises of a living/dining room, kitchen and cloakroom. Rest facilities are available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat, dog and rabbit.

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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. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children, three of whom may be in the early years age group. Overnight care is offered. There are currently five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age range. Children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children over-eight years of age.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a secure knowledge of each child and works closely with parents to enable her to support the children's care needs. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's welcoming home. They enjoy access to a range of suitable play provision to support their interests. Planning and observation systems do not yet enable the childminder to fully challenge all the children in their learning. Self-evaluation systems to ensure continuous improvement are not fully successful in enabling the childminder to recognise and build on her key strengths and ensure that all welfare requirements are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete observations for each child in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Link these to the stages within the early learning goals so that learning priorities can be identified to challenge and extend all children in their learning  develop observation and assessment systems to enable parents to share what they know about their children to further encourage and involve them in their child's learning journey  develop a self-evaluation system that builds on key strengths and identifies areas for improvement to ensure that all welfare requirements are met and continuous development and positive outcomes for children are promoted.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure an accurate record of all the children's hours of attendance is maintained (Documentation) (also 07/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 applies to the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

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provision

The childminder has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures that are given to parents. This helps to promote consistency and continuity of care. Daily and ongoing discussions are in place to enable both parties to communicate and work together to meet individual care needs. Information is not obtained from parents regarding what they know about their child's level of learning to enable parents to work with the childminder to identify any next steps in their child's learning and be more involved in the process. The are good systems for working with other early years settings that the children attend to promote consistency.

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provision

Systems to help the childminder make continuous improvements are not fully effective. The childminder attends training to update her skills and knowledge. She gives consideration to her practices. However, these do not enable her to identify her key strengths to build on and ensure that all welfare requirements are in place. The register does not accurately record all children's actual times of arrival and departure. This is a welfare requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

Children's safety is promoted well. The childminder has recently attended safeguarding children training. This has updated her knowledge to ensure that she is able to take appropriate action should she have a child protection concern about a child in her care. A safe environment is provided through effective risk assessments that successfully enable her to monitor her home and garden and address any issues as they arise. The childminder carries emergency contact cards with her on outings for each child. This helps to support herself and the children should an emergency situation occur.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a written policy in place that is shared with parents to encourage them to work with her to promote children's healthy eating. Adequate hand washing routines are in place where older children are provided with individual hand towels to help prevent the risk of the spread of infection. Young children are introduced to keeping safe when on outings, where they are learning about traffic lights, the 'green man' and how to walk safely. This will help them to support their own safety as they get older.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy, settled and confident. They have access to a range of age appropriate toys to support their development. Children relate well to the childminder who gives them lots of cuddles, hugs and reassurance as they play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Young children are encouraged to explore. A nine-month old is encouraged to reach for toys that are just out of reach. They babble happily and show interest in what they find. An 18-month old shows an interest in toys that move and make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 noises. They press buttons and turn dials to operate.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has written observations for one child attending that has enabled her to focus and provide challenges in working towards the next step in their learning. However, these are not in place for each child. This means that whilst the childminder is able to support them in their play, she lacks a secure knowledge of their next steps within the early learning goals to challenge and extend their learning. 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? 3 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? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as detailed in the early years section of the report 07/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as detailed in the early years section of the report 07/07/2009

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