Parkside Studio College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 138368 Inspection date 08/10/2009 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 in South Ruislip, in the London borough of Hillingdon. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups. The family have no pets.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder’s safe and clean home provides a suitable environment for children. The range of play resources and the childminder’s good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements mean that the provision is effective in meeting the needs of all the children. The childminder is fully committed to continuously improving her practice for the benefit of the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure observations, and assessments are carried out sufficiently frequently to reinforce children’s learning and to ensure each child makes progress towards the early learning goals at an appropriate pace  conduct risk assessments on individual pieces of equipment and at venues, such as children's gyms, where risks to children are high

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the early years provision

The childminder gives children’s safety high priority. She has a good awareness of the indicators of child abuse and is clear about how, and to whom, concerns must be reported. She checks her home regularly to ensure there are no obvious hazards for children and carries out effective risk assessments. However, assessments are not conducted specifically for use of the trampoline in the garden or for a children’s gym that is visited regularly. Having risk assessments in place will help to ensure that all potential dangers relating to these high risk activities are identified and monitored to minimise harm to children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a strong commitment towards moving forward with her practice. She is clear that keeping up-to-date with best practice and attending courses is beneficial to herself, the parents, but most of all the children. She is

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the early years provision

currently developing systems to evaluate her provision with the aim of identifying strengths and areas to enhance. She recognises that self-evaluation is a useful method of gauging effectiveness. All the recommendations made at the previous inspection have been implemented and contribute significantly towards improving outcomes for children. They include developing a recording system to use in the event of receiving a complaint.

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the early years provision

The environment is conducive to children’s learning and contributes towards enabling them to make good progress. The available play space allows children to fully explore and enjoy the play equipment in comfort and safety. Their independence is promoted as they freely select items of their choice from the easily accessible baskets and toy boxes in the lounge.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of children’s backgrounds and needs. Each child is recognised as a unique individual and an effective partnership is established with parents to ensure the care provided is appropriate and consistent. The childminder offers good support to children and their parents during their settling in period by inviting them to visit all the venues she attends with children in the course of the week. This enables parents to know exactly where their child will go, and how the outing is managed. Parents comment that they found this to be a useful experience that they valued.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity. She treats each child with equal concern, and gives them warm and appropriate attention. She helps develop their understanding of the world around them through finding out the customs and traditions of different faiths and suitably providing activities around them. The festivals include Christmas, Diwali and Yom Kippur.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder’s good understanding of the six areas of learning, and how to incorporate them all into her provision, means that children enjoy fun and stimulating play experiences that enable them to make good progress in their learning. She observes the children, assesses their level of development and plans the next step in their individual learning journey. However, the observations and assessments are not carried out sufficiently frequently to ensure that progress is monitored effectively in each area of learning and that the rate of progress is appropriate for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s health is fostered as the home is maintained to a good standard of cleanliness. This enables babies to lie down and play on the floor with no obvious risk to their health. Nutritious meals are served that take account of children’s particular dietary needs. The menu includes cheese, salad vegetables, ham and chicken. Children also develop an understanding of good hygiene practices to keep This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves well as they wash their hands at appropriate times of the day, and use individual cloth towels to prevent the risk of cross infection. Visits to Wacky Warehouse and playing in the back garden allow children to benefit from physical exercise. Children regularly attend local pre-school groups, which enables them to mix with others and develop social skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop skills for the future as they access books and enjoy daily story times, and an understanding of numbers and counting is reinforced in routine play. Children have plenty of opportunities to interact with programmable toys to enable them to begin to learn about information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder treats each child with care and kindness. They are content and happy and demonstrate this by confidently approaching the childminder to express their needs. Appropriate praise and encouragement is given to enhance children’s self-esteem and help them develop a good self-image. Young babies are nurtured with warmth and affection. They relax in her arms to take their feed and enjoy the closeness as they nod off to sleep. Good eye contact is also given to young babies, which they return with squeals of delight and smiles. Consequently, they develop a sense of belonging and trust as they as they feel safe and secure with their carer. 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 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 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 2

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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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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