Ponteland High 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 145783 Inspection date 05/08/2009 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 1983. She lives with her husband and adult daughter, who also works as her assistant, in a residential area of Salisbury, Wiltshire. The house is close to schools, pre-schools and parks. Children have access to the ground floor areas of the house, which includes cloakroom facilities and a first floor room for sleeping.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding seven children, all of whom are in the early years age group. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder delivers and collects children from the local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met appropriately, although not all aspects of their learning are promoted well. Children are included equally and fairly, and cared for within a warm and welcoming environment. As a result, they are making suitable progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage and demonstrate a sound sense of well-being. The childminder has made some improvements to the quality of care she provides and to promote outcomes for children. However, the systems of evaluating her provision are not effective in ensuring all requirements are being met.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide all children with a broader range of experiences to promote all areas of their learning and development  use the observational assessments to identify learning priorities for each child and plan their development on an individual basis  develop a system of evaluating the quality of the provision to identify areas for improvement in children's care and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Promoting good health) 07/09/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder uses policies, procedures and records to support her in meeting children's needs. However, written consent is not obtained from parents prior to medication being administered to children. This is a breach of a requirement. The childminder completes risk assessments to maintain a safe and secure environment. She has a suitable knowledge of safeguarding issues to support her in protecting children.

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provision

The childminder has developed a suitable knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has established links with the local authority to develop her childcare practice further. She does not have any other system for reflecting on and monitoring the quality of her provision and to identify areas for improvement. She works with her assistant to provide close supervision, to ensure children's care routines are met consistently and to ensure the environment is clean and safe for when children arrive.

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provision

Children benefit from the sound partnerships established with parents. The childminder provides parents with written information about her provision to support them in making an informed choice. Parents provide information relating to their child's care and agreements are made to ensure consistency. Parents are kept informed through verbal communication at the end of each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a range of age-appropriate play provision to support most areas of their learning and development. Toys are stored in floor boxes and low shelves in the sitting room to promote independent play. Children's learning is promoted suitably through a balance of mostly free play and some trips out and about, although this system does not ensure all areas of their learning are promoted well. The childminder keeps a general summary of children's activities and achievements each day. However, she does not use this information to plan children's learning individually to encourage them to develop to their full potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settle in quickly. They demonstrate their sound sense of well-being through cuddling up warmly with the childminder and her assistant and moving about freely and confidently within the sitting room. They communicate their needs and feelings through shrieks, laughter, pointing and some spoken words. They enjoy music and join in spontaneously wiggling and dancing. Children have some opportunities to problem solve, such as using activity and sensory toys and solving practical issues, such as accessing a toy out of their reach. Children use their imaginations with role play and small world resources and with music, but younger children do not explore different media and materials. They are developing positive attitudes and play alongside each other well. They are offered lots of encouragement and praise by the childminder who acts as a positive role model.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately by the childminder. She ensures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they are safe and secure in her care which allows them to move about freely and safely in her home. Children learn about keeping safe through house rules and road safety on walks. Their health is promoted suitably through the provision of a clean and hygienic environment, regular drinks and learning hand washing routines. Regular trips out promote children's physical development and fitness. 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? 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 specified in the early years section of the report 07/09/2009

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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 specified in the early years section of the report 07/09/2009

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