Blue Cedars Independent School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 136346 Inspection date 18/09/2009 Inspector Linda Janet Witts

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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 1996. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range, and of these, one may be aged under one year, at any one time. She is currently minding four children, all of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their son, in Bradley Stoke, Bristol. Most areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are also toilet facilities on the ground floor. The childminder has completed a quality assurance award and has completed basic Makaton sign language training. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the local library and park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has exceptionally high standards for her provision. She continually reflects upon her practice and identifies areas for improvement which she then acts upon. As a result, she provides exemplary care to all children attending. She safeguards their welfare and ensures that all children are valued and fully included. She offers an impressive range of activities and experiences that promote children's learning and development. Highly effective partnerships with parents are established and the childminder is proactive in developing links with other settings involved in the children's care.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to contribute to their children's progress records

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced and highly motivated in her work. She embraces training opportunities to aid her personal development and to enhance her provision. She demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder evaluates her provision by reflecting on her own practice and by asking for feedback from parents and children. Parents provided feedback for this inspection and all report that they are extremely happy with the care their children receive and appreciate the diary This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 system used to share information, regular feedback on their children's progress, advice and compact discs of photographs of their children's activities. The childminder maintains clear records of children's progress that she shares with parents but parents do not often add to these.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very organised and maintains all records and legally required documentation well. She has also developed policies and procedures for the safe and efficient management of the EYFS that are individual to the setting and ensure children's individual needs are met. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming and provides a child-friendly play space. It is a safe and secure environment that is conducive to children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder values the diversity of the individual children and ensures that they are all fully included. When each child starts, she works with parents to compile books for children about their families with photographs of family members and useful information about each child. The home languages of children are highly valued and the childminder extends her resources to reflect family homelands and cultures. The childminder makes sensitive observations of children to identify where they are in their learning and recognises that children have different interests and learning styles. She takes full account of this when planning future activities and effectively promotes children's development across all six areas of learning within the EYFS framework. The garden is used as an extension of the indoor learning environment and trips out enhance children's learning experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children relish their time with the childminder. They are eager to attend and make significant gains in their learning. They are motivated in their play and show high levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration. The children relate well to the childminder and learn to get on with their peers. Older children learn to be sensitive to the needs of babies and to tolerate times when they may interrupt their play. Babies are confident to explore their surroundings and make choices in their play. They crawl around, stretch and pull themselves up to stand. They practise their walking skills with the support of the childminder. Babies watch the actions of older children and are keen to copy what they do. The childminder adapts activities so that babies are fully included. The babies and young children are curious to discover how things work. For example, they explore the contents of a treasure box, manipulating objects and discovering different textures. They find

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and outcomes for children

toys that move when a cord is pulled. A two-year-old quickly learns how to make them work following the instruction of the childminder and watches intently as the fluffy creature moves around. A baby watches with fascination and tries to copy the pull action unaided.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well in their acquisition of speech and communication skills. The childminder responds to baby babbles with words, gestures and signing. Children are encouraged to talk and the childminder shows genuine interest in what they have to say. They are introduced to new vocabulary and even words in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 different languages. Mathematical language is used during the course of activities and counting, colour, shape and letter recognition is also introduced in this way.

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and outcomes for children

The children have fun outdoors. They have a wide range of play resources that promote children's physical development. Young children propel tricycles at speed around the grass and patio areas, avoiding obstacles. They experiment with different ways to move sit-in vehicles. Babies sit in the play cars and show broad smiles as the childminder pushes them carefully around the garden. They giggle as the childminder helps them to roll back and forth on a huge ball, stretching their hands out to touch the grass. The children run freely and encourage the childminder to join in their games. The childminder joins in, even rolling around on the grass, to the delight of the children. They also do gardening activities and enjoy the involvement of the childminder's husband. They grow vegetables and flowers, learning to tend them and watch them grow. The growth of their sunflowers led to comparison of heights supporting their mathematical awareness.

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and outcomes for children

Trips out give children the opportunity to socialise with other children and to enjoy an extended range of activities, such as more creative opportunities, including painting on mirrors and large-scale painting with feet. The children love to go crabbing at Clevedon with the childminder and her husband and learn to stay safe when by the sea. Other outings give children the opportunity to explore castles and learn about history and architecture and to get up close to animals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively helped to learn to keep themselves and others safe because the childminder raises their awareness of risks, such as tripping over toys and attempting to carry heavy objects up the garden steps. Fire drills familiarise children with emergency evacuation procedures. Children also learn good personal hygiene and are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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: 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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