Red Rose Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 114008 Inspection date 05/05/2010 Inspector Felicity Gaff

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a house on farmland near Henfield, West Sussex. Three ground floor rooms are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has numerous pets and animals including a dog, cat, goat, guinea pigs and rabbits, ponies and horses. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Children in all age ranges share the same facilities. The childminder collects children from the local school. She regularly attends toddler groups and takes an active part in the local childminders'

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive because the childminder has high expectations and provides an exceptionally rich and stimulating environment. She provides challenging activities that are very well organised to enable all children to take part. The childminder uses reflective practice very well to review all aspects of her work and to identify very well-focused areas for future development. Her exemplary records clearly show the outstanding progress children make in all areas of learning.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 improving the provision of a comfortable area with appropriate furniture for children who wish to relax and play quietly

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems to protect children from people who have not been vetted. Her thorough understanding of safeguarding issues ensures she is able to protect children from harm of abuse. Regularly updated risk assessments enable her to identify and minimise hazards to children both on the premises and on outings. The childminder ensures that parents receive full information about the steps she takes to promote children's health and safety. For instance, she provides very clear information about how she minimises health risks associated with animals. She carefully maintains all the documentation required to support children's welfare. The childminder rigorously reviews and evaluates all aspects of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her childminding service. She updates her professional childcare training, using the knowledge and skills she gains to develop even further the high quality service she

p.4

the early years provision

provides. High quality toys and play resources, which children are eager to use, enhance their enjoyment and learning. She organises play materials very well, using imaginative labelling techniques to encourage children to explore them.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder carefully records all aspects of children's welfare needs and of their learning and development when they first attend in order to establish their starting points. The stable, long-term childminding arrangements she fosters ensure that children feel very secure in her care. The childminder offers parents written copies of all her policies and procedures, which she periodically reviews and updates. Parents receive full information about their children's progress because the childminder maintains comprehensive written records of their achievements. Parents contribute to the records because the childminder arranges times to exchange information that suit their working patterns. She provides a daily diary and ensures this is useful to parents by modifying the format to meet their preferences. She adapts activities to accommodate children's interests and learning styles. The childminder is proactive in creating partnerships with other

p.5

the early years provision

agencies. For example, she promotes continuity by establishing systems for exchanging information with other early years settings children attend.

p.5

the early years provision

Children enjoy challenging and worthwhile activities, which the childminder adapts skilfully so they can all take part. Consequently, unwanted behaviour is minimised. Children have good opportunities to celebrate aspects of their own cultures and those of other people by exploring different foods, music, stories and celebrations. The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children who are acquiring English as an additional language. She recognises the importance of valuing the interests and enthusiasms of all children. For example, she organises 'superhero days' that allow boys to indulge in their own choice of role play within a safe environment.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder tracks the progress of each child by keeping comprehensive records. She celebrates all aspects of each child's learning and development through well-chosen photographs, careful observations and evaluative assessments. The childminder uses her records reflectively to plan experiences to support the next steps in children's learning. Her in-depth understanding of each child's personality, preferences and learning style enables her to plan activities that are appropriate to their different stages of development as they progress towards the early learning goals. As a result, children flourish in her care and make excellent progress. They know they have an important place in her home because vibrant displays of photographs reflect their achievements. The childminder organises activities very carefully to meet the needs of children of different ages and abilities. For instance, children of all ages develop their dexterity as they

p.5

and outcomes for children

persevere in transplanting seedlings they have grown themselves. The childminder's high but realistic expectations and skilful organisation allow very young children to achieve the satisfaction of taking part in all activities. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidently do things for themselves because the childminder teaches them it is all right to sometimes get things wrong. This supports their independence and self- esteem. Children discuss aspects of their own lives and those of other people, which allows them to develop an understanding of the wider world and their place in it. The childminder extends children's simple sentences skilfully to support their language development. They enjoy a very good range of easily accessible books that they can look at on their own as well as share with the childminder. Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities to express their own ideas through imaginative

p.5

and outcomes for children

role play, dressing up and using good quality resources such as puppets. However, there is limited comfortable furniture for children who wish to relax and play quietly.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder makes unsuitable items inaccessible and establishes good safety routines. All children, including toddlers, learn how to behave safely in the garden, including how to negotiate the steps. The childminder's close support protects them while they master skills and develop an awareness of their own abilities. For example, they learn how to assess what they can safely do on climbing apparatus in the garden. They learn how to keep themselves safe in a rural environment because the childminder teaches them to assess hazards. They understand why they must not touch berries or fungi, which helps them stay safe when out and about. Children have exceptionally rich opportunities to learn about where food comes from. They experience the cycle of the changing seasons as they go on walks through the fields. They look closely at interesting aspects of the natural world and use technology such as

p.6

and outcomes for children

digital cameras and printers to record what they see. All children, including toddlers, have the satisfaction of growing an exceptionally wide range of food crops, which they are proud to share with their parents. They find out where flour comes from by gathering and grinding wheat. They explore change and discuss healthy eating during cooking activities such as baking bread and making apple pies.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle; they benefit from a well-arranged environment that enables them to spend a lot of time playing outside. They enjoy a clean and welcoming environment where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene routines to minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder works very well with parents and health professionals to ensure she follows best practice and meets each child's needs. Children enjoy home-cooked meals that meet their dietary requirements and which the childminder plans as part of a well-balanced diet. They benefit from naps arranged according to their individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8