Sherborne School, Qatar (Mall of Qatar)

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 141439 Inspection date 25/05/2010 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and their daughter aged 19 years, in a house, in the Giffard Park area of Milton Keynes. The childminder uses the ground floor of the property for the main childminding activities and an upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. 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. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a pet dog and two cats.

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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 are consistently offered appropriate play opportunities in this family home environment. The childminder promotes many aspects of children's care and education in a suitably inclusive manner, but there are weaknesses in some aspects of documentation. Each child is valued as a unique individual and children make appropriate progress in their learning and development. Informal observation and assessment systems are in place but these are not yet sufficiently linked to the criteria in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder builds suitable relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She informally evaluates her provision on a daily basis but has not yet begun to use self evaluation as a process for identifying strengths and weaknesses in her provision to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and update policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting  develop the use of self evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review, assessing the quality of provision against robust and challenging quality criteria  link planning and assessment and learning priorities to secure children's good progress towards the early learning goals, for example, through the use of the criteria in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her minding activities on a small scale, choosing to offer care for only a few children at a time. This means that she can devote her time This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and attention to each child, ensuring that they are happy and suitably occupied. Children's welfare is appropriately promoted because the childminder has a suitable understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. This is supported by a practical written procedure which enables her to identify any child at risk of harm and take appropriate action. She ensures that all household members are appropriately checked. Adequate risk assessment is in place and effective action is taken to manage or eliminate risks for children. The childminding service is adequately supported by a mixture of verbal and written policies and procedures and all required written records, although, some minor adjustments are

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the early years provision

required. For example, the policies for safeguarding and complaints contain out of date telephone numbers.

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the early years provision

Children make appropriate sound progress and enjoy their learning because the childminder makes sensible use of resources. Her home is welcoming and resources are generally accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder's sound understanding of anti-discrimination means that she provides a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She is able to recognise children's individual needs and adapt her practice to meet these. She ensures that she understands each child's background, cultures and beliefs and provides a range of resources which reflect diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the importance of developing and utilising links with other professionals involved with the children to promote consistent care. Effective verbal communication strategies demonstrate the value placed upon partnership working by the childminder who makes every effort to keep parents fully appraised of all matters relating to their child's care and welfare. The childminder is highly sensitive in her handling of relationships with parents and carers. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents at the pre-placement stage and re-visited regularly during daily conversations with parents and carers. The childminder has not yet begun to use self evaluation to support the continuous monitoring and development of her practice, in order to sustain continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a welcoming environment in which children relax and appear to feel very safe and secure during their play. For example, young children reach out to her for reassurance, comfort and cuddles. She treats children with warmth and kindness and manages the differing needs of children in a highly sensitive and understanding manner. The days are well structured and flexibly planned to suit the ages and stages of development of the children attending and the childminding setting offers a suitable range of toys, games and equipment. The childminder is an experienced mother and has a good knowledge of child development. Children's learning is extended as the childminder makes suitable use of incidental learning opportunities. The childminder offers a continuous commentary on the daily routine, including teaching about colours, numbers and shapes as the children play freely with the selection of appropriate toys.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder capably draws the learning from child led interests and play, sustaining competent levels of interaction with the children which develops positive attitudes to learning. For example, babies babble on a toy telephone and the childminder responds by mimicking the noises they make and asking questions to stimulate more babbling. Planning of daily routines is appropriately flexible and responsive to the needs of children and the childminder ensures that she provides a balance of activities across the days of minding activity. She is able to provide daily verbal feedback to parents and carers about their child's activities and achievements. The childminder is beginning to be able to link her observations of children's learning to the six areas. However, planning, observations and next steps are not yet sufficiently matched to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years

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and outcomes for children

Foundation Stage to fully secure and demonstrate children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of healthy lifestyles and the relevance of hygiene practices. Ongoing discussions mean that young children understand the importance of daily practices, such as, washing their hands before snacks and meals. Good use of indoor and outdoor space means that children are offered daily opportunities to practise physical skills. For example, they play in the garden and walk everywhere with their childminder who does not use the car when minding. They visit local parks to play on the fixed equipment and enjoy visits to the canal towpath to feed the ducks. Suitable documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and clear, robust, procedures are in place, protecting the children's health and wellbeing. The children learn about keeping safe inside and outside of the home because the childminder provides age appropriate explanations as to why they must follow simple rules, such as, holding

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and outcomes for children

onto the buggy. Children's behaviour is managed well and effective strategies ensure their social, physical and economic wellbeing are generally met. 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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