Deincourt Support Centre

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 112491 Inspection date 04/06/2009 Inspector Melissa Cox

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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 1996. She lives in a five bedroom detached property with her husband and their five children. The property is situated in a small rural town on the outskirts of Basingstoke. Minded children have access to the lounge, a dedicated playroom, and have use of the downstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, and, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children, of whom two are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of an accredited childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The children receive excellent support from the childminder, who has an extensive knowledge of each child's needs and preferences. The childminder is highly efficient in her approach to ensure children's safety and welfare receive the utmost priority. This plays a key part in ensuring children progress exceedingly well in all areas of learning in a caring and inclusive environment. The childminder ensures she fully reflects on her practice through continuous improvement, which is highly effective in identifying areas to develop and improve upon.

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further?

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

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further?

 accessing further training opportunities to support children's ongoing learning and development.

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provision

The childminder is highly organised, efficient and professional in all areas of her childminding practice. This is reflected in the very good quality of care and learning provided for all the children. The policies, procedures and extensive risk assessments are detailed and very well presented and clearly reflect the childminder's practice and provision. These are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant and robust in safeguarding and promoting children's health and safety. The childminder provides an excellent variety and balance of interesting and motivating activities for the children which fully support their ongoing development in all areas of learning. The childminder places a strong emphasis on her own self-development, such as attending a range of other training on a regular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 basis. This links very well into the childminder's self-evaluation which she

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provision

continues to extend and develop as she identifies her strengths and the areas to further improve upon.

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provision

The excellent relationship with parents is positively promoted and supported by a wide range of detailed information, policies and procedures and displays which are all actively shared with parents. This ensures they are fully informed about the childminder's provision and the importance placed on building trust and confidence with them. The high priority given to children's health, welfare and safety is consistently maintained. Relevant details of other agencies are in place to ensure any concerns about a child would be quickly acted upon by the childminder.

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provision

Time is offered on a daily basis for parents to discuss their child's day or issues they may have. This is further extended through parents' access to their children's learning files, which they have the opportunity to comment on and contribute to. This enables parents to have a detailed picture of what their children take part in and the learning taking place with the childminder. However, this approach is not yet fully extended to enhance and further strengthen partnerships and contributions to children's learning both with parents and other providers that children attend. The childminder seeks parents' views through questionnaires; this provides feedback which is high in praise for the very good quality of the care and learning provided. Other comments are on the wide range of interesting activities provided and the welcoming environment offered to them and their children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled with the childminder. Warm and caring relationships are established, which are reflected in the children's enthusiasm and eagerness to access the excellent range of activities and resources provided. This significantly promotes children to be active learners and promotes positive behaviour due to children's raised self-esteem through positive encouragement by the childminder. The childminder is skilled in assessing the children from when they first start with her by seeking information from parents on their children's needs, routines and interests. This, along with the childminder's observations, establishes a secure basis to start from to extend and develop children's learning and progress very effectively. The children's individual files provide clear and informed details on all six areas of learning. The assessments and photographs taken provide very good evidence of where the children are in their learning

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

journey. The childminder encourages older children to actively contribute to their learning and to discuss what they enjoy and how this can be extended. This approach provides the childminder with a detailed account of each child which clearly identifies their next steps and informs her plans to ensure progress continues.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have space to access the full range of good quality resources and activities which fully take account of each child's needs. Children are confident and self-assured and this promotes their independence and interest to explore and investigate the world around them. Children have regular outings in the community, for example, to soft play centres, the library, parks and places of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interest. The childminder is a member of the local childminder support group, and social activities extend children's experiences. The childminder has a selection of picture and word cards which enable older children and children with English as an additional language to select an activity, to be fully involved in the activity or just to express their feelings. This offers children various levels of responsibility and a positive sense of belonging in all that they do through being secure and confident.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Support for children with English as an additional language is outstanding, with the children becoming extremely confident in both their home language and English. The positive link with the community provides children with regular contact with other children, which extends their social skills. The childminder takes positive steps to provide ongoing activities which support children to respect and value others and develop a positive understanding of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a full range of excellent opportunities to be physical both in the range of equipment and tools provided as well as outings to the park, regular walks and other activities which offer children a positive approach to being physical and active. The outside garden has been adapted so it is accessible all year for the children. This extends and replicates provision inside so all areas of learning are provided, which promotes very good continuous play and learning opportunities. Tools and other smaller resources for all the children enable skills to be extended in hand-eye coordination to fix resources together and to match shapes, such as jigsaws. Role play is a significant part of the provision and is well promoted with excellent resources, such as dressing up clothes and accessories. The positive selection of natural and small world resources for younger children provides a rich and varied source for children's imagination and ability and confidence to express

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

themselves through make believe. This provides very good opportunities for the development of children's communication and language through the positive interaction by the childminder to engage and involve children in their play at all levels. Creative play is ongoing and older children, babies and toddlers experience paints, glue, sand and water and other malleable materials. They bake together, which is thoroughly enjoyed by all the children. The childminder provides various opportunities for the children to write and mark make in whatever they do. Numbers are displayed and used effectively in children's varied daily fun activities which fully enhances their skills in counting. Children are supported to recognise and use numbers in a reliable way, such as measuring ingredients, to be aware of space and shapes, and to develop skills to calculate, for example, to discuss whether something is 'more or less'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The consistently high priority given to children's health and safety is supported with activities and discussion to inform and engage children. The information provided by the childminder extends the importance to them of taking positive levels of risk to ensure they gain confidence in understanding and keeping safe. Parents are fully informed and provided with detailed information to minimise cross-infection. Healthy eating is well managed by the childminder who uses a range of games and activities to promote healthy eating which actively involve the children. The childminder ensures she offers children snacks and meals that fully support this and works with parents to keep them informed. 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

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