The Gateway Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 132107 Inspection date 25/06/2010 Inspector Lorna Lorraine Hall

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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 1998. She lives with her adult child in a semi- detached three bedroom house in Kingston, within walking distance of the park, local shops and bus routes. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and the family have two pet cats, a dog and two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local care toddler group for minded children on a regular basis and is a member of The National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children, three of whom may be in the early years age range. When working with an assistant, the childminder may care for 10 children, six of whom may be in the early years age range. Currently there are 10 children on roll, six of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder provides care for children before and after school. She also collects children from the local primary schools (St. Agatha).

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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

The childminder promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning successfully. Consequently, children are safe, confident and happy in her care. Parents and children are meaningfully involved in the self-evaluation process. The childminder takes on board information she receives through her association with national and local childminding associations. Resources are effectively deployed to support all the children in their learning and development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Safeguarding and welfare). 28/06/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop links with others deleviring the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are successfully safeguarded because the childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. She has clear written procedures which include procedures to follow should she need to report or record concerns. The childminder has a good understanding of the different forms of abuse and how to deal with allegations. Records and documentation required for the safe and efficient running of the service are clear and well maintained. They are beautifully presented in a folder for parents' perusal. Parents sign to indicate they have read and understand the safeguarding and other policies.

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the early years provision

A list of areas that need to be checked on a regular basis for both the home and outings is in place. However, a record of when and who carried out the risk assessment is not kept. Children are closely supervised at all times. Additionally, parents give consent for their children to engage in a variety of activities outside the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder is interested, motivated and calm and through her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, she plans challenging and stimulating activities for all the children. She attends training when she can and recently completed a level 3 qualification in childcare. Communication takes place between the childminder and partners supporting individual children on a regular basis, to ensure information is regularly shared and used to promote children's achievements. The childminder is organised and skilled at communicating with parents and children. Consequently, children enjoy their time in her care and make progress.

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the early years provision

There is good capacity to maintain continuous improvement, because parents and children are involved and contribute to ongoing self-evaluation. The childminder is part of national and local childminding associations and reads childcare magazines. She takes on board new ideas as a way to monitor and set appropriate targets to address areas for improvements. Parents are full of praise and admiration for the progress their children have made in the care of the childminder. They praise her for her flexibility, professionalism and childcare knowledge. Partnership with parents is strong and they receive clear and comprehensive information about the childminder's service. There are many opportunities for them to contribute to their children's learning.

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the early years provision

Resources are effectively deployed to support the children and promote their independence. Children sit at the table at meal times and they relax or sit and look at a book on the settee. The environment is conducive to learning and the childminder ensures resources are able to support children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are well behaved and build good relationships with adults and other children. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and quickly engage in activities. Through involvement in activities in the wider community, children develop skills for the future. They care for the animals in the garden. 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's good knowledge of the learning and development, welfare requirements and Early Years Foundation Stage guidance promotes children's learning, social, physical and economic well-being. Children confidently help themselves to resources from the cupboard or from the many storage boxes. There are many opportunities for the children to contribute and make choices and the childminder follows their initiative. For example, they ask to out in the garden. On the way to the garden, they stop and play imaginatively with a beautiful selection of soft toys. Play is extended to the garden as they use pretend food to feed their dolls. The garden is well organised to enable the children to engage in planting and watching how things grow. There is also space for the children to relax on the deck areas or engage in physical play. Children's self-esteem is greatly promoted and they confidently initiate their play, which usually results in them

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and outcomes for children

looking at books on their own, with their friends or reading with the childminder. There are beautiful examples of their early writing skills and some children write short sentences. They understand that print carries meaning and books have lots of useful information.

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and outcomes for children

There is a strong emphasis in learning through play, consequently, information gained through observations and assessment are used to plan for individual learning needs. Parents are asked to complete 'The all about me form' which provides detailed information about children's capabilities. It also includes information about favourite toys and learning style. Children are well supported to access learning resources and the childminder sits with them on the floor. They play on an activity mat with different scenes, such as a farm, road with traffic signs and houses. Through this activity, children talk about road safety and what actions they must take when the traffic light is red. They explore numbers and count the cars and group them according to size. These activities also lead to a conversation about animals such as a rabbit; what do they like to eat? The learning environment is interesting and inviting and children enjoy a good balance of adult-led and child-

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and outcomes for children

led activities indoor and outdoors. The childminder has a positive attitude with regards to caring for children who have special education needs and/or disabilities and has some knowledge of how she would adapt resources. She also knows who to contact should she need advice and support.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety, they see visitors to the home sign the visitors book. Their safety is further promoted and they take part in regular fire drills. Effective fire detectors are fitted. Outings to and from schools are used to promote their understanding of road safety. Written rules are in place to help them to play safely and the childminder explains to them why they must adhere to these rules. Children are safely escorted on outings and the childminder carries essential items, such as a first aid kit and their contact details. Wrist bands with the childminder's details are worn by the children on outings.

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and outcomes for children

Children show ownership of their health and well-being and demonstrate they are well informed about healthy living. For example, they remind the childminder to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 put sun cream on them before they go outside. They wash their hands without prompt from adults after visits to the toilet. Every week the children have a day where they can choose their favourite food. Children make healthy choices and request spinach. Their health is further promoted because they have access to water during the session and fresh fruit at snack time.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain a secure understanding about the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy life style. They enjoy regular outdoor play going to parks, kicking balls, using tricycles and scooters. Good arrangements are in place for children who need to sleep. Children's health, safety and well-being are enhanced by the highly consistent implementation of policies and procedures to administer medication and the care and exclusion of children who are ill.

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and outcomes for children

Children build good relationships with each other and they have access to resources which depict positive images of diversity. The childminder works in partnership with others to ensure children's individual needs are met. Linguistic diversity is valued and there is good support for children who have English as an additional language. 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 2 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 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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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