Ashfield Comprehensive 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 137981 Inspection date 22/04/2009 Inspector Helen Penticost

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two children in Morden, Surrey. The areas of the house used for childminding includes the lounge, dining area, playroom, downstairs cloakroom and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for five children, all on a part time basis and all of these children are in the early years age range. She walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a co-ordinator for the local childminding drop-in group and receives support from the local authority. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder offers a fully inclusive service for all children and plans her day according to children's care routines and individual needs. Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming and stimulating environment, which ensures that children are secure and happy. The partnership with parents and carers is excellent, which ensures that children's individual children's welfare and learning needs are met. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and weaknesses, which continuously improves the service she provides, to ensure it is of the highest standard.

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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 the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children

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provision

The childminder has a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues and effective policies and procedures ensures that children are well protected from harm or abuse. All required documentation is in place to support children's welfare conscientiously and establishes effective routines to keep children safe. For example, children wear high-visibility jackets on outings and learn road safety skills. Within the home safety is given careful consideration, for example, the front door is alarmed and stair gates are used. Formal risk assessments covering all areas have been conducted and any issues raised have been acted upon. The childminder is very keen to improve her provision and childcare knowledge through attending training events. She has attended numerous courses in support of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 work with young children and she has successfully achieved a level three

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provision

qualification since her last inspection.

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provision

The high quality of partnerships with parents and other providers and through attending appropriate training courses, ensures that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully included in all activities and make very good progress in her care. Parents are fully informed about the care their children receive and the progress they make because the childminder maintains and shares comprehensive written and photographic records with them. Parents show that they appreciate the childminder's opinions as they telephone for advice on topics such as toilet training.

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provision

Her evaluation of the service on offer is insightful and she has taken active steps to involve parents in the process. She appreciates that in order for her to be able to continue to provide this high level of care, she needs to continuously reflect on her practice and self-evaluate effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a balanced range of play opportunities, promoting their development in all areas of learning. They are cared for in an attractive, welcoming environment and enjoy a particularly wide range of attractive, age-appropriate play resources. The childminder records their developing understanding clearly so that parents know exactly what their child does, and can share and enjoy their achievements. Children are keen to share the photograph and scrapbook folders with their parents and visitors, and confidently turn the pages to show photographs of them in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is exemplary, as they are guided by clear and consistent boundaries and they learn about how to keep themselves safe from harm. For example, they are gently reminded why the should not run indoors. Children learn to be kind to each other and play cooperatively together. For example, they decide to play a matching game and are able to set it up and play until the game is finished. The childminder ensures that the children receive excellent levels of support, praise and encouragement. Therefore, they have good levels of self esteem and confidence. Children develop a very good level of independence and are able to attend to their personal hygiene needs. They follow a time line of photographs when washing their hands, which encourages them to wash them thoroughly. They also discuss that they need to remove germs from their hands or they may become poorly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Very good provision is available to promote children's understanding of healthy lifestyles. They have opportunities for active physical play outside every day as well as inside at various toddler and childminding groups. Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and meals and are encouraged by the childminder to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables each day. A daily menu is set out for parents and children's food intakes are recorded and shared. Mealtimes are sociable occasions, when children of all ages sit together with the childminder. Children undertake countless outings both within their community and also further afield, to enable them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 begin to have an understanding of the greater world around them. For example, they visit a local allotment and make soup from the vegetables that they have harvested. Children have excellent opportunities to learn about the world in which

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they live, as they have access to a wide range of resources to promote their understanding.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to develop their small muscle movement, to make marks, to draw and to write. They create colourful masterpieces and thoroughly enjoy colouring in their dot to dot pictures. There are very good opportunities for children to explore shapes and colours. The childminder provides skilful support to extend children's understanding and mathematical vocabulary as they play with wooden bricks and matching games. 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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