Engage 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 145432 Inspection date 09/07/2009 Inspector Catherine Louise Sample

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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 with her children, aged eight and 12, in an easily accessible house in Westbury. The ground floor and some of the bedrooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog and a tank of fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a total of six children under eight at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age range. There are currently 10 children on roll; of whom five are in the early years age range. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works closely with another registered childminder.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides high levels of support and encouragement for children which helps them to make good progress. She works in effective partnership with parents to ensure that she can fully understand and meet children's unique needs. She takes positive steps to help all children take part in activities whatever their needs or stage of development. She evaluates the effectiveness of the provision and is committed to further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the arrangements for assessing children's progress to ensure that they show clear links to all areas of learning and identify children's next steps so that they can be used in planning challenging learning and development experiences for each child  ensure that the register gives a clear indication of who is on the premises at any given time

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provision

Children benefit from the organisational skills of the childminder who has developed a wide range of policies and procedures which she shares with parents and has drawn up her own forms to ensure that all necessary records are kept. A record is kept of children's attendance although this is not always completed during the day so may not show exactly who is present at any given time. The childminder makes a full risk assessment of the house and garden and for routine outings. She has attended child protection training and has an excellent understanding of how to safeguard children. Her commitment to further development is clear from her attendance at a variety of training and workshops; This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 including signing for babies. She monitors the provision using feedback from parents and children and uses the Ofsted self- evaluation tool to reflect on her

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provision

setting and identify areas for development.

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provision

Children's learning and development is fostered by the effective partnership between the childminder and the parents. The childminder keeps parents well informed about the provision, actively seeks their views about the curriculum and uses termly questionnaires to allow them to raise any issues they may have. She works closely with them to find out about any additional needs that children may have so that she can take effective measures to meet them. Children are learning to use basic sign language and have taken part in a first aid and disability activity which gave them the opportunity to learn about difference and diversity. They are also learning about wider society by using multicultural toys and seeing foreign language displayed in the playroom. The childminder works in close liaison with other providers where children attend more than one setting. She shares information about children's progress and works with other settings to ensure a

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provision

shared approach to any particular needs a child may have.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy learning in this stimulating and attractive environment where they receive encouragement and praise for their achievements. The colourful, well- resourced play room and the purpose-built outdoor play area provide an enabling environment for children. They eagerly run outside to use the bikes and balance beams and later settle down to look at books on the child-sized soft furnishings indoors. They choose what activities they want to do and the childminder ensures that they have access to the necessary resources and materials. She also plans more structured activities around themes, such as People Around the World, but remains flexible to take account of children's interests and needs. She makes well- informed observations of children's progress although they do not show sufficient links to the different areas of learning or pinpoint what steps individual children need to take next.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety is paramount. In addition to taking highly effective steps to provide a safe and secure environment for children, the childminder uses a variety of imaginative activities to help them learn about staying safe. They have miniature road signs in the garden which help them to learn about road safety and they have taken part in 'Risky Play' at a National Play Day event. They wear high visibility jackets and identification wristbands when out walking and the majority of the garden has a specialist safe play surface. Children are learning highly effectively about good hygiene practice and healthy eating. There are signs up to remind them when they need to wash their hands and they demonstrate an excellent understanding of hygiene routines. They use a large food pyramid display to place cards showing various foods into different groups, such as fats and proteins. Children are well behaved. They are learning to share and take turns and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

know the ground rules, such as 'Feet are not for kicking'. 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? 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? 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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