Ascent Autism Specialist College

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 139251 Inspection date 14/04/2009 Inspector Samantha Powis

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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 registered to care for children in 1999. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 13 and nearly two years. They live in a house on a residential estate in the village of Charminster, near Dorchester in Dorset. Childminding is mainly carried out on the ground floor of the premises. Toilet facilities and sleep provision are accessible on the first floor. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. Access to the front door and garden is via several steps. The family have a cat and a dog who children can have supervised access to.

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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 may care for up to four children under eight years, of which two may be in the early years age group. There are currently eight children on roll, four of these are in the early years age group. The childminder collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settle well in the childminder's welcoming home. She has a secure awareness of each child's individual care needs and respects their preferences and choices. She spends her time interacting with the children and has started to make some basic observations as they play. Although the childminder has attended some childcare related workshops, she has not accessed first aid training to ensure her qualification and knowledge is up-to-date. She uses feedback from others to help her develop her practice to better support children's needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the systems of observation and assessment to help plan challenging opportunities for all children to support their progress and development in each of the six areas of learning  develop a system to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision, to ensure strengths and areas for improvement are identified and acted upon to continually improve outcomes for children  review the use of documents such as the accident record and daily record of attendance to ensure they include accurate details to better support children's ongoing safety and welfare.

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further?

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

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further?

 gain an appropriate first aid qualification (Suitable people) (also applies for both parts of the Childcare Register) 02/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder manages daily routines effectively to ensure that children's individual needs and any preferences of parents are respected. All necessary documentation is in place, however some documents lack sufficient detail. For example, details of individual children are not always clear on the daily register to fully support children's safety and accidents are not always detailed in the accident record. The childminder gives effective consideration to children's safety when at home and on outings and follows positive routines to promote children's health and well-being. Equipment such as stair gates and cupboard locks help to prevent accidents occurring within the home. The childminder has a sound awareness of child protection issues which helps her to promote children's welfare.

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provision

The childminder has made some changes since her last inspection, which has improved the links she has with parents and ensures she respects their wishes. She seeks guidance from advisors and has attended some training. However, she has not developed a system of evaluating her own practice to highlight areas for improvement. Her first aid qualification expired recently and she is unable to access another course for several months, this means she does not have up to date knowledge of the procedures to follow when dealing with a minor accident or injury and is a breach in requirements.

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provision

The childminder develops secure working relationships with parents. They enjoy opportunities to exchange information through informal discussion at the beginning and end of each day which helps the childminder to understand children's individual care needs. She displays her current certificates and some useful information for parents, but has not developed any written statements to ensure they are fully aware of the procedures she follows or her responsibilities in areas such as safeguarding children or managing complaints. The childminder links with some of the other settings children attend to share information to help them to work together in meeting children's needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. They develop close relationships with the childminder and enjoy it as she joins in with their play. The childminder introduces them to simple routines and procedures which promote their health and safety. For example, children are provided with their own towel and a special hook to hang it on in the bathroom which helps to prevent the risk of germs being passed on. Road safety is reinforced when on outings and they take part in practising the emergency evacuation procedures at home to ensure they are confident.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have lots of choice and enjoy a suitable range of activities, however the childminder does not evaluate the provision of the these activities to ensure their development is fully extended in each of the six areas of learning. Children select This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from a broad range of toys and equipment which are suitable to their age and stage of development such as puzzles, board games and activity tables. They enjoy using the creative materials such as paper, glue and glitter to make their own pictures or cards. Children's independence is encouraged as they choose what they want to play with. When they are old enough, they are also encouraged to manage their own personal care needs, such as hand washing. The childminder praises the children for their achievements as they play, boosting their confidence and adding to their enjoyment. They develop a strong sense of belonging, as they see photo's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of themselves on display and use their own peg to hang their coat.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how the children are progressing. She uses photographs and makes some observations to record activities they are involved in. However, she does not then use this information to support her in planning. Consequently, activities offered do not necessarily build on what children already know and can do to extend their learning and development further. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 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

 implement and make available to parents copies of written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures. (providing information to parents) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/05/2009  take action as specified in the Early Years part of the report. (Welfare) 02/07/2009

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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 required of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. (Providing information to parents) 15/05/2009 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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