Brimscombe Church of England (VA) Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 115690 Inspection date 17/11/2009 Inspector Sarer Marcia Tarling

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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 has a recognised childcare qualification and has been caring for children since 1992. She lives with her husband and four children aged 25, 23, 19 and 15 years. The family live in a house in Sidcup where minded children have access to the ground floor area of the home. Minded children are generally based in the playroom, use the ground floor cloakroom and the dining room for sleep purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outside play activities. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any time, of whom, three can be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for four children under eight, three of whom are in the early years age group.

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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

Children are very happy and settled in the setting, because the childminder creates a secure and stimulating environment. Children are confident, independent learners, because the childminder enables them to make choices within familiar routines and provides activities covering all areas of learning. As a result they make good progress towards the early learning goals. Strong partnerships have been established with parents ensuring a greater understanding of children's unique needs and as a result children receive continuity in their care and their welfare needs are well promoted. The childminder’s self-evaluation and reflective practice processes are in place and are beginning to identify the provision's strengths and priority areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the written record of risk assessments to show clearly how identified risks have been minimised (Suitable premises, environment & equipment)  increase the range of activites and resources which help to promote and value diversity  extend the observation system further to ensure that records clearly identify the next steps in children's individaul learning journey and use these to inform future planning. Ensure observations and planning are clearly linked to the different areas of learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, protecting children and keeping them safe. All adults in her home are appropriately vetted and children are supervised closely by the childminder at all times and benefit from being cared for in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Resources are accessible in the playroom and children can choose what they would like to play with. All resources and equipment are clean, of good quality and checked regularly for any damage. A thorough risk assessment was conducted when the childminder moved into her new home, appropriate safety equipment is in place and daily checks minimise potential hazards, enabling children to move around and explore safely and independently. However, the childminder has not updated her record of the risk assessment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of her responsibility to record and report any concerns regarding child protection issues and shares her written policy with parents. However, this currently still refers to Area Child Protection committee procedures rather than the revised safeguarding board procedures. The childminder supports children in feeling secure in her care and they are learning how to stay safe in a range of situations. For example, on outings children practise their road safety skills, learn not to talk to strangers, not to approach or touch unfamiliar dogs and indoors they regularly practise emergency evacuation drills.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive approach towards inclusion and clearly recognises all the children as individuals. Children have tremendous fun together exploring natural environments on outings to the river where they enjoy fishing and they learn about life cycles during visits to the pond to feed the ducklings. In the playroom resources are well organised promoting choice and accessibility for all ages of children. The range of activities both in the home and in the community is enabling children to develop skills for the future. However, there is currently a limited range of activities and resources which help promote positive images of diversity and disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder has well organised systems regarding record keeping and all documentation is readily available for inspection. Confidentiality is maintained and children's individual files include all relevant information. Parental consents are in place for different aspects of childminding including permission for outings, prior consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to administer medication.

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the early years provision

There are systems in place to monitor and evaluate the provision and all previous recommendations have been met. The childminder has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and ensures her knowledge is refreshed by meeting with other childminders and by regularly referring to the framework. The childminder reflects on all areas of her practice and is able to recognise her strengths and to identify some areas where she would like to make improvements. For example, she wishes to extend her range of resources to promote more imaginative role play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing well, because the childminder participates in their play activities, responds positively to their requests for help and asks them open ended questions. The childminder has simple rules which children are beginning to understand and effectively uses distraction with young children and ‘timeout’ if unwanted behaviour persists. Close relationships have been formed and children generally play amicably because the childminder praises them and they feel safe and secure in the setting because routines are consistent and familiar.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the activities and the childminder’s encouragement helps young children to concentrate and complete tasks. For example, when the childminder sits at the table and encourages children to complete their puzzles it develops their problem solving skills. Children are developing skills for the future. They enjoy cuddles on the settee while the childminder skilfully reads books, developing their love of books by encouraging the children to participate and anticipate what might happen next in the story. Younger children use electronic toys such as the till while older children access educational games on the laptop.

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and outcomes for children

The daily routine is balanced and includes freely chosen play both indoors and outside. Children's physical skills are well promoted as they play in the garden on the bikes and scooters, dig and explore in the sand and enjoy water play, chasing bubbles and making them pop. Young children are keen to explore the resources and are creative as they enjoy dressing up, pretending to put on lipstick and clomping around in princess slippers! They show good concentration and have great fun packing backpacks with a picnic and chatting to each other on toy mobile phones. The childminder is skilled at using play resources and activities to help children recognise numbers, colours and shapes and to develop their counting skills. Children enjoy singing familiar songs such as ‘Pita Patter Raindrops’. Children have opportunities to socialise at local toddler groups and visit places of interest such the Winter Gardens in Eltham, looking at Christmas decorations at the garden

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and outcomes for children

centre and enjoy a picnic at Hall Place.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a simple observation and assessment system which demonstrates how children are progressing. She obtains some useful information from parents regarding children's home routines, interests and starting points and uses this as a framework to plan some activities that children enjoy. She demonstrates a very good understanding of how young children learn and develop. Information regarding children's progress and development is shared through verbal feedback. However, currently the system does not clearly identify children’s individual next steps and observations and planning is not yet linked to the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning the importance of a healthy lifestyle as the childminder encourages them to develop a good awareness of hygiene such as teaching them to wipe their noses and cover their mouths when they cough. She minimises the spread of infection with effective daily routines such as her stringent nappy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 changing routine which also ensures young children are clean and comfortable. Simple cooking activities provide opportunities to talk about healthy eating and to encourage children to try new foods. Snack times are a social occasion with children tucking into healthy options such as malt loaf, banana and grapes washed down with a drink of water. 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 2 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 1 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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