Skinners' Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 136137 Inspection date 10/05/2010 Inspector Hilary Elizabeth Tierney

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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 is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 12 and seven years in the residential area of Yate, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have one dog, four cats and one guinea pig as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding seven children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local playgroup, the local library, park and shops. The childminder has partnership arrangements with other early years settings, including the local pre-school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childminding course. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminder support group.

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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

Children are very happy, have settled quickly, feel safe and secure in their surroundings. They have a sense of belonging and enjoy being able to select their own resources and activities. The childminder treats children as unique and their individual needs are met well. There is an excellent partnership with parent and detailed information is shared with them including the written policies and procedures. The childminder has completed the self-evaluation process and has clearly identified areas for improvement. This demonstrates a commitment to improve the quality of care she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information in advance of the child being admitted, about who has legal contact with the child and parental responsibility for the child. (Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare) 24/05/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the links between sensitive observational assessments and planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of activities that include children’s interests, so that all children’s individual needs continue to be met.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well, and the childminder has a clear understanding about the procedures to follow in the event of having any concerns about children in her care. She is careful to record any existing injuries of children and share these with parents. Clear accident and medication records are kept and shared with parents. All necessary parental permissions are in place. However, the childminder does not request information from parents about who has legal contact with the child and parental responsibility for the child. Safety around the home is good and gates prevent children's access to areas unsupervised. All gates in the garden are secure. Clear risk assessments are in place and ensure all areas are safe. Clear procedures for outings are in place and detailed risk assessments for them are carried out.

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the early years provision

Resources are easily accessible and in good condition. They are used effectively to help children learn and develop. The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge about equality and diversity. She has a good awareness about how she would include any children that may attend who have English as an additional language and any who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Resources reflect the diversity within the community. There is a good partnership with other early years settings that children attend and regular information is shared between the childminder and the setting. There is an excellent partnership with parents with detailed information shared on a regular basis. Parents' have three monthly information shared with them about how their child is progressing in the areas of learning. Daily diaries ensure they are kept informed about how their child has done during the day. Parents also receive a regular newsletter and daily

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the early years provision

verbal information. The childminder also asks parents to complete questionnaires, so she can obtain their views about the care she is providing. The written policies and procedures are easily accessible for all parents. Parents' comments are very positive and complimentary about the childminder, the care she provides and how happy their children are.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the self-evaluation process. She has clearly addressed the recommendations from the last inspection and has been able to address areas for improvement. She has a commitment to improve the quality of care she provides and works hard to ensure she provides high quality childcare.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy, content and feel safe in their surroundings. They are confident and show great concern for each other as they play. Children are treated as individual by the childminder and she works hard to provide age- appropriate activities for the children. For example, the older children enjoy water This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play outside and the younger children sit on a mat on the grass with a bubble machine and appropriate toys for them. The childminder divides her time between them well. Children are progressing well in all areas of learning and development. The childminder knows the children well and meets their needs well as they play. She records observations and plans around their needs and next steps. However, she has not fully linked these together and has not clearly identified children's interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a strong sense of security and feel safe in the setting. They have an excellent understanding about what standards of behaviour are expected. They can handle a range of tools and know how to handle them to keep themselves safe. For example, children were observed buttering their own toast at snack time. Children understand they can communicate their feelings and thoughts. There is high quality adult interaction from the childminder which helps children and babies gain an exceptionally strong sense of security. Children have excellent opportunities to explore and investigate during their time with the childminder. They have good access to free flow between the inside and outside. Children are beginning to learn about counting skills and are regularly encouraged to count and recognise their colours by the childminder. For example, an older child helps prepare a younger child's bottle and helped to count the amount of milk going into

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and outcomes for children

the bottle. Children enjoy looking at books alone and together and the childminder ensures she includes all children sitting them on her knee to read and sing songs. Children are beginning to learn about the world around them through walks around the local area, they talk about seeing hedgehogs and animals when they are out. Children are able to develop their creative skills through a range of activities including role play. Children enjoy water play and pouring into different containers. Children are given the choice between hot and cold water, bubbles or no bubbles. The childminder then provides what the child requested and puts the water in the water tray for the children to play with. The childminder interacts with the children warmly, she shows great care and affection towards all children. She offers plenty of praise and encouragement and reassurance to any that need it.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children are provided with healthy snacks and meals and the childminder has a good awareness of how to meet any dietary needs should children have any. They enjoy the outdoor space and are given many opportunities to learn about growing, planting and healthy eating. Children enjoy planting vegetables and understand they can grow these to eat. Children make fresh soup for lunch and help prepare the vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, onions, broccoli and cabbage. Most of these items are obtained fresh from the garden where the children are able to pick them with the childminder. Lovely interactions were observed at this time about how the vegetables look, the smell of them and why we eat them and the taste of them. Children enjoy eating the soup when it is ready. Children understand the importance of hand washing and have separate hand towels which helps to

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and outcomes for children

prevent the spread of infection. Good nappy change procedures are in place. 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 2 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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

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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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