The Elms School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 117003 Inspection date 10/03/2010 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in an end-of-terrace home near the centre of Reading in Berkshire. All of the home may be used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to six children under the age of eight, of these three may be in the early years age group. Currently there are seven children on roll, five of these are in the early years age group. They are mostly all are cared for on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The family do not have any pets. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This experienced childminder welcomes and values all children. She supports all children so that no child is disadvantaged because of their background. The childminder ensures that the children's welfare is appropriately promoted; she works with parents to meet their individual needs. Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development and take part in a range of suitable activities. The childminder has not yet put into place an effective system to evaluate the quality of the provision she provides and to highlight any areas for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills, record the details in a log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  ensure children are encouraged to learn good hygiene routines and wash their hands when necessary  ensure the daily record of children's attendance is accurately kept  develop a system of self-evaluation to identify and address areas for future development.

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe and their well-being is promoted by this experienced childminder. Most of the records, policies and procedures that are required to promote the children's welfare and to efficiently manage the provision are in place. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, the record of children's attendance was not completely accurate on the day of inspection. The childminder is confident in the procedures she would follow if she has any safeguarding children concerns, these procedures are shared with parents before their child enrols with the childminder. The childminder has ensured that all adults in her home have been suitably vetted and are suitable to have access to the children. Any unvetted adults are not left unsupervised with the children.

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the early years provision

Children mainly play in the living room of the home, here many toys are stored on shelves, some within the children's reach so that they can easily choose what they wish to play with, which helps to develop their independence. The childminder has carried out and recorded appropriate risk assessments to identify and minimise any potential hazards to the children and to ensure her home and garden are safe and suitable environments. When children are present the front and back doors of the home are always kept locked. The childminder has worked out how she would evacuate her home in an emergency but she does not progress the children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe by practising these procedures with them. The childminder occasionally attends relevant training, and she has renewed her first aid qualification.

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the early years provision

The children that are cared for by the childminder are from diverse backgrounds. The childminder welcomes and values all children and she helps them to learn about and celebrate their different cultures. She works with the children's parents and with other settings they attend, such as the local nursery and school, to ensure their individual learning needs are met, especially if they need any extra help. Although the childminder is aware of some of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision she has not yet developed any formal systems of evaluation to help her in the identification of targets for future improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder; they are confident and interact well with her and they build strong attachments to the childminder. Children are making sound progress in their learning and take part in varied play activities that promote the six areas of learning. The childminder is becoming familiar with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has started to observe and record the children's progress. These observations are not yet linked to the areas of learning and do not show how the children will be helped to progress in their learning. However, the childminder is very aware of where the children are in their development and informally provides ways of helping the children to move on to the next step in their learning. They often visit nearby play parks or go for local walks, this provides the children with opportunities to learn about their local environment and have opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

encourages the children's imaginative and role play by providing appropriate resources such as teacups and pots and enjoying endless cups of imaginary tea.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides all the children's meals and snacks, these are varied and generally healthy and nutritious. They are able to access their own suitable drinks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 If children have any special dietary requirements these are well noted and observed. The childminder's home is kept hygienically clean and the children usually follow good hygiene routines; but they are not always reminded to wash their hands before eating. They can follow their own rest and sleep routines as necessary. The children feel safe and secure with the childminder, she helps them to develop a sense of belonging. When they are out walking, such as when going to and from school and nursery, she helps them to begin to learn about road safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children are helped to behave appropriately, for example, by the childminder setting appropriate boundaries and reminding them to use please and thank you when necessary. They are beginning to acquire some of the skills they will need in the future; such as good language and communication skills, by using information and communication technology equipment such as the laptop and computer games, and by asking questions and showing an interest in their surroundings. 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: 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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