Featherstone Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 141278 Inspection date 01/09/2009 Inspector Jane Mount

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1992. She lives with her partner and two children aged 14 years and 21 years. The property is situated in Bancroft, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and is close to local shops, parks and schools. All areas of the premises are included in the registration although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play. The family has a dog and a rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time with no more than three children in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding four children and of these, three are in the early years age group and one is in the later years age range. Overnight care is not provided.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is developing a sound knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is generally implementing it well. Close partnerships with parents and others ensures that all children are fully included and their needs are met. Children share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and are happy and secure in her care. She provides a varied range of play and learning experiences to ensure children make progress in their learning and development. Children are safeguarded and their welfare needs are met. However, processes for monitoring the setting to ensure continuous improvement are not fully effective and consequently some required documentation is not in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a current public liability insurance policy is in place (Suitable premises, environment and equipment: also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 16/09/2009

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 16/09/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  implement a quality improvement process, such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

The environment in which the children are cared for is safe and children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, the childminder is familiar with the child protection procedures to follow should she have a concern and has a brief child protection policy in place which details this along with child protection guidance leaflets and contact information. She is conscious of safety and has appropriate measures in place to maintain children's safety. For example, she closely supervises children and stair gates and cupboard locks are in place. Children learn how to stay safe and on-going visual assessments are effective in ensuring the environment remains safe and children are protected. However, written risk assessments which detail how potential risks are minimised are not yet in place.

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the early years provision

Children's care, learning and welfare are generally promoted because the childminder puts the needs of each of the children in her care first. She has many years experience caring for children, has a sound knowledge of child development and is beginning to become familiar with the EYFS. The childminder is overall aware of her key strengths and some areas requiring further development. For example, she has recently reviewed and re-organised children's contracts and information sheets and overall these are now informative and contain all the required information including written parental consents. However, no effective systems are yet in place to monitor and evaluate her practice to ensure continued improvement, and therefore, there are still some areas which require further development. For example, the childminder has overlooked renewing her public liability insurance and consequently it has recently expired. Recommendations

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the early years provision

made at the childminder's last inspection have been successfully addressed which has improved outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Resources are accessible and developmentally appropriate and the daily routine is planned to ensure all children are fully included and their individual needs are met. All children and families are valued and appreciated. The childminder welcomes the children in her care and their parents into her home and she works closely with parents to provide an inclusive environment. The childminder is developing a portfolio to share information about the setting with new and prospective parents and it contains some policies which the childminder plans to review to make more informative. Information is then verbally exchanged on a daily basis with parents to ensure children's needs are met and a daily diary is also used to share information with parents about each child's day including their progress and achievements. Some links are in place with other early years settings children attend such as the local school and nursery to ensure continuity in children's care

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the early years provision

and learning. For example, communication books are effectively used to share information between teachers, parents and the childminder. Also, at the beginning of each term the childminder obtains the activity plans from the school and the nursery and she tries to incorporate some of these activities into her own planning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the learning and development and welfare requirements and guidance for the EYFS. Children are making progress in their learning and development as the childminder has a sound knowledge of child development and she knows the children in her care well. The childminder understands that every child is unique and she works closely with parents to find out about and to meet children's individual needs to ensure they are fully included. Overall, children experience a range of play experiences which cover the six areas of learning, are led by children's interests, are enjoyable and which provide some challenge. Simple observation and assessment systems are in the early stages of development, however, they are beginning to show what children have achieved and how they are progressing. This information is then generally used by the childminder when

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and outcomes for children

planning future activities and play experiences to support children in their learning .

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming active learners as there is a mixture of adult-led and child- initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to promote children's play and learning. From an early age children are able to make some decisions and independent choices in the activities they play with as the environment is organised with most resources at child height and accessible. Children are happy and enjoy their learning such as when painting in the garden. They delight in painting their hands and feet and then developing this further to include their whole bodies. Children's behaviour is managed well due to the childminder's consistent approach with clear boundaries set so children understand their boundaries. The childminder promotes positive behaviour and praise and encouragement are regularly used to promote children's self-esteem and develop their sense of achievement. For example, younger children are beginning to learn

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and outcomes for children

how to share and are praised by the childminder when they takes turns to look at a favourite book. Children are beginning to gain an understanding about diversity and the wider world through activities and experiences they participate in. For example, they discuss the different countries and places people go on holiday and enjoy finding them on a map or learning about festivals such as Eid when looking at books. Children have opportunities to learn about the local community such as when they visit the local shops and enjoy finding the items on their shopping list and then paying for them. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories and particularly enjoy visits to the library for 'story time'. The childminder supports children in their play asking questions and engaging them in conversation to support their language and communication skills. Children's numeracy and problem solving skills are promoted with activities such as cooking when children help to

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and outcomes for children

weigh the ingredients and to count how many biscuits they have made.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has strategies in place to ensure children learn about the importance of personal care routines to keep themselves healthy and to prevent them from becoming unwell. For example, sensitive reminders from the childminder ensure children flush the toilet and wash their hands after visiting the bathroom and when asked older children are able to confidently say 'it is to wash This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 away any germs'. Children are aware they have their own individual hand towels to dry their hands which ensures the risk of cross infection is minimised. Healthy eating is generally promoted and mealtimes are used as a time when everyone sits down together to eat. Good table manners are encouraged and they discuss what they are eating and the benefits of healthy food choices such as fruit and vegetables. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure they are aware

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and outcomes for children

of their children's daily dietary intakes and children's individual special dietary needs are catered. Children develop a positive attitude towards being active as they have regular opportunities to practise and develop their physical skills. For example, in the garden they enjoy jumping on the trampoline and they often visit the park where they enjoy playing ball. Positive relationships between the childminder, parents and children enable children to feel secure and settled in the childminder's care. Children's safety is protected and they are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when out walking they discuss road safety or when travelling in the car know it is important to wear seat belts and to sit in the correct seats. At home the childminder has an emergency fire plan which she has practised with the children, and therefore, children learn how to stay safe in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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 (Insurance). 16/09/2009

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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 (Insurance). 16/09/2009

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