Springfield School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116461 Inspection date 07/04/2010 Inspector Zahida Hatia

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and an adult son in a three-bedroom, detached house in Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, near Gloucester. The home has easy access via a level path. The whole of the house is registered for childminding, although the main care takes place on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

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 range. She is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register and does not provide overnight care. Care is provided on a full and part-time basis throughout the year. After school care is available. She currently has four children on roll on a part-time basis, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder takes children on walks to the local shops and parks in the community.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel secure because the childminder provides a homely environment and spends time supporting their play and learning. She knows the children well and considers their individual needs in the care she provides. The varied range of resources available ensures children have the opportunity to make sound progress and in general each area of learning is appropriately covered. The childminder successfully promotes children’s welfare, ensuring that they are safe and secure. The childminder works closely with parents to establish an effective partnership with them. She has begun to informally assess her provision and this has allowed her to identify some areas for improvement that will enhance her childminding.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant experiences for the next stages in their development, matching the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  develop systems to ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with other practitioners where a child receives education and care in more than one setting  develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role and is proactive in protecting children by using her good knowledge of safeguarding children to ensure that their welfare is promoted. For example, she knows what to do if she has concerns about child protection and is familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. In addition, children’s safety is well promoted. The well written risk assessments for indoor, outdoor and for each regular outing are regularly reviewed and support the visual checks carried out daily, ensuring that children are safe at all times. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate. Documentation is in the main thorough and satisfactorily maintained, with children's records stored in a confidential manner. Polices and procedures are shared with parents and are generally of a sound quality. Regular fire evaluation practises are carried out, which increases children's familiarity with the procedure.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to develop her systems for continuous improvement of her provision. The childminder is committed to her own professional development by completing various training courses and is beginning to identify the need to continue to update her knowledge and skills by undertaking further training in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, her self evaluation procedures are not yet fully in place. The recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed successfully. Children are provided with opportunities to learn about diversity as the childminder provides resources, such as books and dolls, which reflect positive images of the wider world. This creates an inclusive environment that encourages children to feel a sense of belonging and promotes their self-esteem.

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the early years provision

The childminder works very well with parents and has effective systems in place to obtain and share information with them. For example, she ensures that parents know how their children are progressing and developing as all relevant information is shared between them on a regular basis. Photographs are contained in individual children's 'happy moments' books which help to inform parents of how their children spend their time while in the care of the childminder. Observation and assessments are recorded in children's diary and are regularly shared with the parents. Parents comment that the childminder is professional, enthusiastic and very caring. The childminder is beginning to develop links with other early year’s providers. However, these links have not yet been fully established to ensure continuity of care and education.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They share positive relationships with the childminder who has a genuine interest in their welfare. They are engaged, happy and interested in their play and feel valued as individuals. Children make independent choices and self-select toys and activities they are interested in. This is because the childminder has a suitable understanding of the learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development needs of the children in her care and provides a satisfactory range of interesting activities. Consequently, children are making sound progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder helps children to enjoy their play experiences by being involved their play. For example, extending children’s learning by encouraging them to talk about what they are making while building and constructing with a range of play resources, and reading their favourite

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and outcomes for children

stories, which together promotes their communication and imaginative skills. Children’s ability and involvement in different activities is observed and recorded using photographs of them participating in a suitable range of play and learning experiences. However, information gained from observations is not used to move children on to the next stage in their learning and do not link to the early learning goals. Children are encouraged to learn about acceptable behaviour through the calm approach that the childminder adopts. The childminder uses praise and encouragement when they do something well. As a result, children are happy and well behaved.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to participate in activities that encourage them to investigate and explore. For example, they learn how to fix different types of construction toys together and work out how to adjust the garage door so that it can open and shut for the little people to come in and out off. In addition, children have access to electronic and programmable toys such as musical toys and toys which make sounds or particular noises. This supports their learning and helps them develop skills that contribute to their future economic well-being. The older children love to do baking activities with the childminder, such as baking cakes and pizzas. Children have suitable opportunities to develop their social skills as they sit together for meals and snacks. The provision of small world toys gives children the opportunity to use their imagination. The childminder supports children appropriately as they play, encouraging them to count and identify colours. A

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and outcomes for children

variety of games and puzzles helps to promote children's problem solving skills, for example, young children explore jigsaws. Children enjoy mark making and are developing good hand and eye coordination. A variety of creative activities, including painting and manipulating play dough, promote children's self-expression whilst having fun.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into a clean and well organised home environment where they have sufficient space to play. They access daily opportunities for large physical play, including exploring large climbing equipment at the park and playing in the garden. The childminder’s flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s well-being. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks that support their individual dietary needs. They are offered a variety of fresh fruits daily and regular drinks throughout the day. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. Children learn appropriate personal hygiene practices, for instance as they are reminded to wash their hands before eating their snacks and when coming inside from outdoors. These routines positively safeguard children’s well-being. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder uses age-appropriate

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and outcomes for children

restraints as needed and teaches them road safety procedures. Routines such as tidying away toys from the floor encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety. Documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, are in place and up to date. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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