Henry Cavendish School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128652 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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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 2001. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group. Children attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and adult daughter. They live in a house in the Grove Park area of the London Borough of Lewisham, close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and the upstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog as a pet. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy, secure and confident because the childminder develops excellent relationships with them. They are offered a broad variety of interesting and stimulating activities and really enjoy these, because the childminder offers plenty of help, support and enthusiasm. Children are developing a wide range of skills and achieve well because the childminder encourages them to safely use a variety of tools, equipment and resources. The childminder values the uniqueness of each child and provides well for their individual welfare, learning and development needs so that they make good progress. The childminder maintains continuous improvement through her connections with other childminders, keeping up to date with developments in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of risk assessment  maintain a current first aid certificate  link observations to specific learning areas and match these to the expectations of the learning goals

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the early years provision

Children are safe and protected in the setting, through the childminder having a good understanding of safeguarding issues. She knows what to look out for and how to make an appropriate referral if worried about a child. The premises, garden, equipment and toys are well maintained and the childminder takes action This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to minimise risks and potential hazards. She undertakes a visual risk assessment of the areas used by children and supervises them closely at all times, ensuring they stay safe. However, the childminder is not keeping a record of her risk assessment, noting such things as 'stranger danger' in the garden, which backs onto open parkland. The childminder is trained in first aid procedures and is able to respond effectively in the event of an accident, however her current first aid certificate has expired. She has arranged to update her first aid training and is waiting for a place

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the early years provision

to become available on a local course. Since the last inspection the childminder has improved fire safety, ensuring that the fire blanket is wall mounted in the kitchen and easily accessible. The childminder is also ensuring that written parental consents are in place to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to take children on outings and use public transport, improving safety and accountability.

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the early years provision

The childminder deploys resources effectively, supporting children well through all their activities and routines so that their individual needs are met well. Children take part in a variety of activities, with the childminder establishing good links with other childminders and community provision. These links are effective in affording opportunities for children to value and appreciate different cultures and life-styles. Children enjoy day trips with the childminder, for example, to London Covent Garden, where they enjoy a wealth of experiences and appreciate culture diversity. Children also take part in practical activities in community groups, supporting their knowledge and understanding of differences. The childminder actively engages parents in children's activities, and partnerships are effective through parents often going out together with the children and childminder to places of interest. The

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the early years provision

childminder sends parents texts and picture messages 'in the moment', so that they can see their children enjoying activities out in the community, further enhancing relationships. The childminder has begun to evaluate and record her childminding arrangements and the provision she makes for children, helping promote good outcomes for children. She keeps up to date and on top of recording keeping, through good organisational skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals because they enjoy a wide range and variety of activities and experiences across all six areas of learning. The childminder takes an active part in children's play and learning activities, demonstrating how to use tools and materials safely. Children are learning how to approach tasks methodically and systematically through practise and repetition, so they become competent and skilled, such as with icing cakes and cutting with scissors. The childminder keeps a written record of observations together with photographs of children's activities and samples of their work, enabling her to monitor and share children's achievements with parents and carers. However, the childminder is not linking the observations to specific learning areas or matching these to the expectations of the learning goals, so as to identify and bridge any gaps in children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Outcomes for children are good, because the childminder talks to children all the time, about staying safe and adopting personal hygiene habits, such as regular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hand washing. Children have a good understanding of healthy eating and of making healthy food choices, because the childminder supports and encourages them in helping prepare snacks and meals. Children talk about the health benefits, the colours and shapes of fruit and salad vegetables, sampling the different tastes, while helping to cut them. Children make a contribution to the setting through helping the childminder with routine activities, such as sweeping up and tidying away. Children behave and co-operate well with the childminder because boundaries around acceptable and desirable behaviour are clear and consistent. Relationships are warm, caring and positive, helping children feel safe and secure,

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and outcomes for children

happy, confident and settled. 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 3 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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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