Ashwood Education Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 115834 Inspection date 21/04/2010 Inspector Lara Hickson

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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 registered in 1997. She lives with her two sons aged 16 and 14 years, in Crayford, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of these, three maybe in the early years age group. She is currently minding five children, of whom one is over eight years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding group and parent & toddler, signing and singing groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and English as an additional language. She is a member of an approved childminding network and the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are progressing extremely well in all areas of their learning and development because of the childminder's knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Comprehensive observational assessments of children's learning and development are in place and used to inform future planning. Partnership with parents and outside agencies is outstanding and a key strength of the provision. Comments on parent questionnaires highly compliment the childminder's provision and care. The childminder demonstrates capacity for improvement. She has completed all past recommendations and has attended courses to extend her knowledge.

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further?

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

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further?

 further extend opportunities for parents to participate in being more involved in children's progress and development folders

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the early years provision

The childminder uses self-evaluation effectively to identify strengths and areas for further development within her setting. Parents and children have also been involved in the evaluation process through parent and child questionnaires. The childminder has a very positive approach towards ongoing training and development. She has completed numerous additional courses since her last inspection including safeguarding children, paediatric first aid and a sign language This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 diploma. The childminder is also currently involved in a pilot scheme, 'Every child a talker' regarding the importance of talking with children in different situations.

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the early years provision

The childminder supervises children extremely well, whilst allowing them to develop their independence. Children's welfare is effectively promoted due to the childminder's excellent awareness of her responsibilities towards safeguarding children. She regularly updates her knowledge with regard to child protection and, through attending training courses, has up-to-date understanding about current legislation. A written safeguarding policy is in operation. This is extensive and includes the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation against the childminder or a member of her household.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very clear understanding of how to encourage children to feel and keep safe. For example, she has introduced children to concepts of road safety and stranger danger. At the start of the inspection the childminder explains who the Inspector is, that it is okay for the children to speak to the Inspector and that she will be with the children throughout the inspection. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place and these are reviewed regularly to minimise any hazards and ensure children's ongoing safety. Excellent arrival and collection procedures are in place to enhance children's safety, for example, children are not released to an unauthorised adult and a password system will be established if required. Fire evacuation procedures are displayed in the setting. These are practised regularly with the children to ensure that they are aware of the procedure to follow in the event of a fire or emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely well organised. All documentation is maintained to a very high standard and is available for inspection. All required written procedures are in place and are updated on an annual basis, or earlier if required, to reflect changes. Children's files contain all relevant information to ensure that individual needs are effectively met and all required parental consents are in place. Parents are given a comprehensive parent pack at the start of their child's placement and this includes the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder has established extremely positive partnerships with parent/carers. She ensures that they are very well informed about their child's progress and development through verbal feedback, contact books and their child's observation and developmental profile. The childminder uses parent surveys to help her assess and review her practice. Comments in these are extremely complimentary, for example, 'I am

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the early years provision

more than happy with the care provided, my child is very happy too', and 'my children are very happy and we all feel welcome in her house'.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent approach towards inclusion. Resources are easily accessible for all children to experience and include a broad range depicting positive images of diversity, disability and linguistic differences. The childminder liaises closely with parents and outside professionals to ensure that all children with special educational needs develop to their full potential. She has attended a wide range of different training regarding special needs and has a Diploma in sign language, which she uses to encourage all children to develop sign language skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a broad range of stimulating opportunities that enable all children to make excellent progress in all areas of development and learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are able to make independent choices about resources and activities as these are easily accessible in storage units and toy boxes, which are labelled with lower case print and pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress in all areas of their learning and development, due to the childminder's excellent understanding of how children play, learn and develop. Children play very well together and have a very close relationship with the childminder, chattering away to her and each other as they play. The childminder has developed an excellent observation and assessment format using weekly diary sheets, next steps target sheets, short post it notes and photographic observations to highlight how children are progressing. She uses these different observational sources to complete tracker books and plans effectively for children's individual needs in each of the six areas of learning. Through self-evaluation, the childminder has developed her observational and planning systems to ensure she clearly highlights individual learning objectives. Planned activities cover all six areas of learning and takes into consideration the

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and outcomes for children

age, stage of development and interest of each child. The extensive range of activities and experiences help children achieve the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has built strong links with schools and nurseries that children attend. She liaises closely with these settings to ensure that partnerships are beneficial to children and provide continuity of care. The childminder is also a valuable link between parents, school and nursery.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has comprehensive health and safety procedures in place to minimise the spread of infection in her setting. Children are developing a very good awareness of their own personal hygiene, for example, they are aware of the need to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Children benefit from a range of healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. At lunchtime the childminder offers children the choice of water, orange or blackcurrant to drink. Children are encouraged to be healthy. They have daily opportunities for outdoor play both in the childminder's safe, enclosed garden area and at local parks. Children enjoy using a range of outdoor apparatus that encourages their balance and coordination skills. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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