Sense College

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 132011 Inspection date 30/11/2009 Inspector Helen Deegan

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since January 1992. She lives with her family in New Malden, close to local shops, parks and bus routes. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for six children aged under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She currently has four children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local toddler groups and visits the park on a regular basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's needs are well supported by the childminder who knows them well and supports their development via age appropriate play activities. They can easily access a wide range of resources which promote all areas of learning and development. The childminder provides a fully inclusive setting in which children gain positive messages about diversity. She evaluates her provision and attends ongoing training to improve her practice.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop photographic records of the children's activities and achievements and ensure that dates are included so that progression is more evident.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her practice and uses the information to identify areas for improvement. She attends ongoing training workshops to develop her knowledge which demonstrates her commitment to continuous professional development.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and has attended training on this. She has had experience in the past of liaising with social workers regarding child protection issues and understands the procedures to follow should a concern arise. She maintains safe, clean premises and has carried out a risk assessment. She has various policies in place regarding health and safety which guide her daily practice. She teaches the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children about road safety and stranger danger when they are out and gives them wrist bands to wear with the parents and her own contact details in case of emergency. She also has a current first aid certificate. Children are therefore fully safeguarded in the childminder's care.

p.4

the early years provision

Parents are asked to provide detailed information about their children's needs and abilities when they start with her. This enables the childminder to fully meet their needs. They are invited to attend for short visits to help their child settle and are given a daily diary for the exchange of information until children are aged over 12 months. All parents are invited to stay for a cup of tea at the end of the day and verbal feedback is given about what the children have done and how they have been so that they are well informed. Parents provide extremely positive written feedback about the childminder and report how happy their children are. The childminder makes herself known to staff at other settings that the children attend and requests information about their curriculum so that she can ensure her care complements theirs. She has experience of working with children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and has attended training to enable her to

p.5

the early years provision

understand their condition and meet their needs appropriately. Children gain positive messages about diversity as they play with good quality resources which reflect different race, culture and disability.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed, confident and happy in the childminder's care. They play purposefully with a wide range of equipment which is stored neatly in picture labelled boxes so that they can make choices and access activities independently. The childminder talks to the children as they play, chatting about what they are doing to support their developing language skills. She encourages children to count as they help her pour jelly into individual pots. The childminder is warm and responsive to the children's needs, she quickly recognises when they are tired, need the toilet or would like a snack and immediately provides what they need. Children learn about nature as they visit local parks, grow bulbs and feed the cockatiels in the childminder's aviary. They enjoy putting nuts out on the back door step and watch excitedly as the squirrels come up to the glass door to take them. The childminder sits with the children to watch, they giggle when she comments

p.5

and outcomes for children

that the squirrel is being greedy and might go pop! Children have regular opportunities to play physically in the childminder's garden which contains a climbing frame, slide, trampoline, bikes and balls.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder observes the children as they play and takes many photographs of them engaged in different play activities. However, the photographs are not dated and do not demonstrate progression. She can easily describe the personalities and abilities of the children in her care and knows the skills she is currently focussing on to promote their development. She follows a guide to the different areas of learning to ensure that she is promoting children's all-round development. The childminder is skilled in meeting children's individual needs. For example, one child was upset that they had not said goodbye to their grandparent who passed away. The childminder obtained an age appropriate book called 'My Bunny Has Died' This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which she used to help the child understand what had happened. Because the child thought their grandparent was now in the clouds, the childminder helped

p.5

and outcomes for children

them to write a goodbye letter which they attached to a helium filled balloon and sent up into the sky. This helped the child to grieve and accept what had happened.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children receive nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. They are encouraged to develop good personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands after using the toilet and use paper towels for hand drying so that the spread of infection is prevented. Children behave extremely well because the childminder is calm, consistent and positive with them. She takes every opportunity to praise their efforts and achievements and uses reward stickers so that children's self-esteem is promoted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8