Riverhead Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 118453 Inspection date 13/01/2010 Inspector Deborah Jane Starr

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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 lives with her husband and three teenage children in Yatton, North Somerset. She was registered in 1998. The whole of the house is registered with the main play areas on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet goldfish. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She 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. The childminder currently cares for seven children on a part-time basis in the early years age range, five children within the age range of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and four children within the age range of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes children to and collects from local pre-schools, nurseries and schools. She attends local toddler

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Description of the childminding

groups and takes children to local places of interest.

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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 has a good knowledge and awareness of children's individual needs enabling her to promote and safeguard their welfare effectively. She has a satisfactory knowledge of how she promotes children's learning and development; systems of assessment are not sufficiently well developed. Effective partnerships are established with other early years providers. The childminder builds close relationships with parents; they are not yet however, sufficiently focussed on children's learning and development. Good use of self-evaluation enables the childminder to identify her own strength's and areas for development, thus ensuring good outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop assessment arrangements to ensure starting points and capabilities are clear as to what children know and can do  develop further the use of observation and assessment to clearly identify children's next steps in learning so that activities are planned effectively and offer suitable challenges  develop further links with parents to ensure a two way flow of information about children's care, learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and understands the procedures she should follow if she has a concern about a child. Appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 arrangements ensure all adults living in the home have undergone appropriate vetting procedures. Frequent and thorough risk assessments of all aspects of her provision ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Good documentation is in place to safeguard children and all required records are well maintained and shared with parents. Consequently, children's well-being is effectively safeguarded. Children easily access an interesting range of toys and resources that support their play and are extended through visits to the local toy library.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effectively evaluated her practice since the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has clearly identified areas for improvement, taken well chosen steps to improve her practice and as a result, the outcomes for children are good. She has sought the views of parents and children, reviewed and updated policies and procedures and documentation, attended training to develop her understanding of the learning and development requirements and sought and acted upon advice given by the local early years advisor. For example, she has extended resources that reflect diversity and recognises the importance of offering experiences and activities that promote an awareness of others and the wider world. The childminder clearly demonstrates a strong commitment to her ongoing improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents. They are well informed about her practice through discussion, some written policies and procedures and the display of information such as, daily routines and the Ofsted contact number. She regularly exchanges verbal information about children's activities and achievements. However, this exchange is not yet sufficiently focussed on individual children's learning and development when they start with her or on an ongoing basis. Parents are very appreciative of the care given to their children. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and supported well in conjunction with other caring agencies. The childminder has taken effective steps to develop links with other early years providers, to bring about continuity in each child's care, learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and content at the childminder's because she knows the children well and meets their individual needs. Children make satisfactory progress because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. She offers resources and activities that reflect children's interests and keeps a record of what children do and know and links these appropriately to the six areas of learning. However, she does not yet use these observations and assessment to identify and plan for children's next steps in learning and development, so as to ensure they are offered suitable challenges at all times. Children make independent choices from resources and enjoy playing with them. They enjoy looking at books and sit quietly together looking at pictures side by side. They scoop up dried pasta using vehicles and take turns to look for small toy animal toys hidden within it, as suggested by the childminder. They are

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and outcomes for children

interested in organised activities set out for them and make choices from the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 varied range of appropriate resources such as, scissors and a range of paper, card and writing materials. Child develop skills using these tools; however, children's learning is not fully supported as the childminder is not clear as to individual child's next steps and how she can extend children's learning. Children enjoy opportunities to mould and manipulate dough, they use cutters to create shapes and have appropriate tools to develop their play. The childminder however, does not support them to do as and does not consider appropriate challenges. For instance, rolling out the dough herself, despite knowing a child has the skills to do so.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well to develop an awareness of a safe and healthy lifestyle. They have daily opportunities to be out in the fresh air when visiting local parks and walking to and from school. Activities such as, playing in the snow and visits to 'play pods' in the park organised by local authority play rangers enhances healthy lifestyles and promotes learning through the development of skills for the future. Children build dens outside and look for fire wood, developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe when cooking food on open fires. Children enjoy healthy snacks and are encouraged to try unfamiliar foods. They access regular drinks from their own beakers and know to wash their hands prior to eating. Children are keen to encourage younger children to follow good hygiene routines. Regular practise of the emergency evacuation procedures and developing awareness of road safety, discussion about potential dangers such as, unknown

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and outcomes for children

adults and contact with unfamiliar dogs, enhances children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Trips to the recycling bank promote their awareness of re-useable products, such as plastic. Children behave well in the childminder's care, responding positively to her calm and clear approach. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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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