Buxted CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 114493 Inspection date 09/06/2010 Inspector Daphne Prescott

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 1995. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Horsham, West Sussex. Part of the ground floor is used for childminding, with sleeping and toilet facilities in this area. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder 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. There are currently 13 children on roll, of whom eight are in the early years age group. Children attend at different times of the week. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and parks. The family have no pets.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are provided with a warm and caring environment where they are happy and settled and have access to various activities both in the home and through local outings. They are making good progress in their learning and development; this is as a result of the childminder's enthusiasm for providing good childcare. The childminder has a good relationship with the parents and works in partnership with other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child. The childminder offers an inclusive service in which each child is respected as a unique individual. She maintains most of the required records for the safe and efficient management of the provision. The childminder has started to implement systems to evaluate her provision and demonstrates a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement, in order to benefit the children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the risk assessement for the premises and all outings to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact  continue to link observations of individual children's learning and development more closely to the six areas of learning and development in order to help observe, plan and assess activities with children based on their individual development needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children's personal safety and well-being are promoted through the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. All adults living on the premises have been checked for their suitability to be in the presence of children. The childminder takes steps to ensure children are safe and secure by fitting safety equipment and ensuring the premises are secure. Regular risk assessments are conducted but written assessments contain limited information about individual outings and the areas that children access within the premises. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, which enables her to manage accidents appropriately as the need arises.

p.5

the early years provision

The environment is very welcoming to the children, with their art work displayed; making children feel that what they have created is valued. A dedicated playroom enables children to self-select resources and enjoy a wide range of activities that capture their interest. In addition, they also have access to the living room which is set out with different activities which enable the children to have ample space to move around and make choices. This enabling environment assists children to become independent learners and have an enjoyable and fun time in the care of the childminder. The play materials are clean and in good condition, which contributes towards the sustainability of the provision. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where children feel valued as individuals. For example, she knows the children well and responds to them in a positive manner. She is good at interpreting their babble and recognises their individual signs for when they are

p.5

the early years provision

tired or hungry. When caring for children with English as an additional language, the childminder asks parents for words in their child's first language and she uses picture clues to communicate effectively. The celebration of festivals successfully promotes children's appreciation and understanding of the many different cultures.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder places a high emphasis on working in partnership with parents and carers. Parents are fully valued as partners and are confident in the ability of the childminder to meet the individual needs of their children. Parents note down their child's developmental starting points in their assessment file. This gives the childminder a very clear picture of how to help the children to settle and make further progress. Parents have regular opportunities to discuss all aspects of their children's care and learning. In addition, the childminder takes photos during the day to send to parents so that they can see their children are happy and what they are achieving. Parents are extremely happy with the service provided by the childminder and their comments include, 'On a practical level the care that the childminder gives my child is the very best any mother could wish for, for her child.' and 'The childminder provides a loving, nurturing and caring environment

p.5

the early years provision

for my child'. The childminder has established good links with other settings that provide the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continued progression of children’s care, learning and development. She also recognises the importance of working closely with other childcare professionals, should a child in her care need additional support.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has begun to reflect and evaluate on her practice to ensure that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children have good quality experiences and can make good progress in their learning and development. She is aware of her strengths within the setting and has identified areas for further development. For example, she is keen to re- organise her documentation and is in the process of updating her policies and procedures. The childminder has also acted on the recommendation made at the last inspection so that children are secure in the garden which has improved their safety.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are having lots of fun in the care of this childminder. They spend time smiling and giggling because the childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment. Children receive constant attention and have a strong attachment to the childminder, which increases their sense of well-being. The childminder clearly applies consistent boundaries, so that children develop knowledge of what is expected and display positive behaviour. She uses positive praise during every day practices developing children's confidence and self-esteem.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health is given good attention. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise each day by playing in the garden, going for walks or visiting the park. Physical play is very much encouraged and children enjoy playing with sand or on wheeled toys; with play tunnels and ball pools. Personal hygiene routines are very well established to support children in becoming independent as younger children wipe their hands before and after meal times. Children are also provided with separate flannels to help minimise cross infection and they learn about the importance of hand washing. In addition, children have individual bed linen, which minimises possible cross-infection. Parents are clearly informed about illnesses that will prevent children from being looked after because it would be detrimental to others' good health. The childminder provides a variety of nutritious and healthy snacks and meals each day. Children learn about the importance of eating five portions of

p.6

and outcomes for children

fruit or vegetables each day as they take part in a healthy eating project. Children develop very good social skills, and at meals times they sit around the table with the childminder and her family, conversing and learning to use appropriate cutlery. Children are learning to keep safe as they discuss road safety. Furthermore, children know what to do in the event of a fire because they participate in regular fire drills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are having a lovely time and they are excited and motivated by the good range of activities on offer, which supports all areas of learning well. Each child's achievements are carefully noted so that plans can be made for future activities to interest the child. However, these achievements are not always linked closely enough to the six areas of learning and development to fully ensure that the most appropriate targets are set for each child. Communication, language and literacy skills are strongly fostered and children chat throughout their play. The childminder is attentive in answering the children's questions and encourages them to use language to express themselves. She observes younger children closely and interacts with them to promote their language by, for example, talking to them about how things work and naming items. The childminder echoes speech and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

and outcomes for children

positively responds to their gestures. Books are made freely available and children enjoy listening to stories. Children have many opportunities to practise their early writing both in and outdoors, for instance, as they chalk and draw. They have good opportunities to recognise colours, shapes and numbers. Children enjoy problem-solving and explore 'opposites', as they look at books. Younger children are beginning to show an understanding of technology as they press buttons on interactive toys. They take part in role play activities as they pretend to put petrol in their ride on toy. Children are developing their creative skills as they use the wide range of art and craft activities available. They thoroughly enjoy painting and sticking activities. Children learn about plants and their natural environment and they help to grow sunflower seeds, fruit and vegetables. When out and about in the local community, children are exposed to a wider range of experiences. For

p.7

and outcomes for children

example, they thoroughly enjoy the nature trail in the country park looking for different birds and insects. Children also receive a certificate that they have successful completed a nature trail making them feel very proud of their achievements’. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9