Glebe Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102224 Inspection date 12/05/2010 Inspector Heather Tanswell

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and two grown up sons. They live in a rural farmhouse, on the outskirts of Constantine near Falmouth, in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play, along with extensive gardens and fields surrounding the property. A number of steps provide access to the premises.

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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 whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children attending who are within the early years age range. They live locally and three also attend the early years unit of the local pre-school or primary school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family have numerous pets and animals including a dog, cats, poultry and cows. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from Cornwall council's children, schools and families directorate.

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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 provides a rich and varied environment that supports children's learning successfully and gives them the confidence to explore the rural nature of the community and gain great understanding of the natural world. Very good partnership with parents and some developing links with other providers help build constructive relationships and ensure the needs of all children are met well. Most of the required paperwork is in place to underpin practice. The childminder's reflective nature and the positive use of assessment and self-evaluation ensure the childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and weaknesses, and the capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to obtain a regular two-way flow of information with other early years providers to ensure consistency with children’s learning and progression is achieved  incorporate parents' contributions more consistently into planning and children’s individual records to ensure they have a say and are fully involved with their child’s learning  include outings into the neighbouring countryside in the record of risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment.

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the early years provision

The childminder is generally well organised. Children stay safe in her watchful care as she has a sound understanding of how to safeguard children from harm. She is fully aware that all adults regularly in the home have to be vetted. Comprehensive risk assessments are effectively carried out on all areas of the childminder's home, the garden, and to cover contact with the pet and farm animals, ensuring children's safety and security are maintained at all times. The otherwise detailed record of these risk assessments does not include what precautions the childminder already takes on outings into the nearby woodland. The childminder is qualified in first aid and has good systems in place to help her respond in an emergency. Minor incidents become opportunities to review her practice and teach children about how to keep themselves safe, especially when in close proximity to animals.

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the early years provision

The childminder focuses on helping children feel valued, happy and settled by meeting their individual needs, being aware of their diverse home lives and getting to know important family members. Parents report how much they appreciate the childminder's open nature and the experiences on offer to children that help them thrive and learn so much about the rural community they all live in. Information is shared informally through feedback and a system of observation and assessments that record children's progress and next steps linked to the six areas of learning. Prior information from home is occasionally not consistently incorporated into plans for activities and children's records to make sure parents' views are always known and their contributions sought. Partnerships with other providers are well established to provide a two-way flow of information that assures the childminder is fully aware of children's daily activities and welfare needs. However, effective

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the early years provision

communication channels to ensure there is continuity in children's learning between the childminder and local pre-school and school are not yet fully established.

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the early years provision

Children have plenty of space to play both indoors and out and these areas are well resourced to support their learning and development. The childminder has made very good progress since her last inspection. All the required signed consents are in place to make sure parents' prior permission is sought and medication records kept. Parents know what to do if they have any concerns and feel able to speak to the childminder even though there is no written procedure for dealing with complaints. The childminder recognises her weakness in keeping written records, however, her practice is commendable and improving.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy in the company of the childminder, are very well behaved, show sensitivity to their own and others' needs, and share many This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 common interests and goals. Children learn great respect for the natural environment and how to treat animals so not to make them anxious and therefore avoid danger. Children learn about personal safety through discussion about the need for bare feet to avoid slips when balancing on equipment, and about the danger of burns from getting too close to the Aga or hot drinks. Children’s confidence in communicating, speaking and listening is demonstrated in how well they recall events, use language to explore and share ideas, and organise games such as hide-and-seek for themselves. Children's early reading and writing skills are promoted through meaningful and practical experiences. Children develop a

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and outcomes for children

love of books and use books for reference as part of their play and exploration. For example, children's current interest in bird watching and identification has been imaginatively supported with a pair of binoculars placed on a window seat next to two bird books, which the childminder encourages children to use.

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and outcomes for children

Children apply knowledge of number and solve mathematical problems in everyday activities such as by counting how many pieces of carrot they have left, and comparing the number to their ages and counting beyond. They use their fingers, hands and arms to express size and shape. As a result, children’s use of mathematical language is developed very well. Children show great curiosity and interest in finding out about objects, materials and living things, where they live and one another's lives. They enjoy physical activity, develop skills in coordination, control, manipulation and movement, and become aware of their bodily changes and what it means to be healthy. Creativity and musical appreciation of a variety of styles is received well by children who enjoy expressing their own ideas through dance and movement.

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and outcomes for children

A key strength is how well the childminder promotes children's sense of health and well-being. Activities and daily routines support children’s emerging understanding of healthy habits; they are keen to enjoy the benefits of exercise and making healthy choices. Freshly cooked food either from home or provided by the childminder is attractively presented; children sit together and eat a balanced meal. Discussions about food preferences, personal hygiene routines and the clothes they wear help them understand why some choices are better than others. Children have opportunities to grow and harvest food and learn that some animals are reared to be eaten or to produce eggs. Children learn about the wider world through planned activities such as topics on Africa. The use of a globe to establish where they live, share what they know, and where other countries are placed in the World in relation to home supported by books, music, art and dance, makes

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and outcomes for children

these experiences highly meaningful to young children. As a result children make excellent progress in their learning and develop the skills they need for their future success. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relates to the requirements of the Chilcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 12/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 12/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints) and (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 12/06/2010

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