Stanburn Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102214 Inspection date 01/07/2010 Inspector Jayne Pascoe

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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 15 year old daughter, in the centre of Ponsanooth, between Falmouth and Redruth, in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children use the upstairs for rest and sleep. There is a secure garden to the front of the cottage for free play and another garden area to the rear of the property, which is used for growing fruit and vegetables. The family keep a pet hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of whom three may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Some children also attend other early years settings. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her high level of commitment to the principles which underpin this framework, enables her to successfully meet children's unique needs. The childminder has introduced highly effective systems with which to obtain and share excellent levels of information with parents. She actively seeks and welcomes advice and support from other early years agencies. Although she has not implemented formal systems to monitor and evaluate her childminding, she demonstrates an excellent ability to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 implementing formal systems for self-evaluation, in order to monitor and maintain continuous improvement in the already high standard of childminding practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent ability to safeguard the children in her care. She has developed and implemented highly effective written risk assessments for the premises, toys, equipment and outings. Good use is made of safety equipment and the premises are kept secure at all times. Children participate in regular opportunities to practise emergency evacuation procedures, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in order to develop their confidence and familiarity. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and is very confident in her ability to identify, record and report any child protection concerns appropriately. She actively engages children in discussion about how best to maintain their own safety, for example when using large climbing equipment and handling tools. Children are provided with excellent

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the early years provision

opportunities to explore and celebrate their own cultures and beliefs and those of others. They enjoy free access to a very good range of toys and resources which depict positive images of people in the local community and wider world. Children benefit from an extremely child focused and enabling home environment, where they can access favourite toys and resources, move from indoors to out as they wish and request additional items they may require. The childminder is fully inclusive in her practice, providing all children with equal opportunities to enjoy and achieve. Although there are currently no formal systems for in place self- evaluation, the childminder demonstrates a very good ability to drive further improvement in her childminding practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established extremely positive relationships with parents. Information is shared very regularly and effectively through appropriate methods. The childminder has developed an excellent range of written policies and procedures, uses appropriate systems for recording children's personal details and she obtains written parental consent for a variety of activities and procedures. Confidentiality is respected and maintained. Children's records are regularly shared with parents. Documentation is extremely well organised and made readily available for inspection. The childminder obtains useful levels of information prior to children attending, in order to inform her planning. As a result, she is very successful in settling new children and engaging them in enjoyable activities based upon their individual preferences, interests and abilities. She has developed extremely effective assessment systems which include written observations,

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the early years provision

photographs and samples of children's achievements. These are shared each day with parents, who provide feedback and are actively involved in agreeing appropriate 'next steps' for children's progress. Parents provide extremely positive feedback regarding the high standard of child care provided and some older children have written letters to the childminder, to thank her for many happy memories and express their great fondness for her. The childminder is also successful in working closely with other early years providers, in order to maintain continuity of care and cohesive learning experiences for those children who also attend another setting.

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and outcomes for children

All children are extremely happy, settled and content. They have formed exceptionally strong and trusting relationships with the childminder and other children. Children interact very positively with one another and are keen to involve the childminder in their chosen play. They are confident to move freely within the childminder's home to select favourite toys, fetch their drinking cup and play outdoors. Children follow the childminder's very good examples and are extremely well behaved. They are all kind, considerate and respectful to one another. Older This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children successfully take turns, share, cooperate and negotiate. They are very good role models to younger children. Children are encouraged to extend their language skills by a proficient childminder who asks appropriate questions and introduces new words to support their play. Younger children's developing

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and outcomes for children

communication skills are valued and rewarded. They are also able to communicate very effectively through body language, facial expression and signing. Children mark-make freely using a range of appropriate and interesting media. They are beginning to recognise that mark-making can carry meaning and is used as an alternative form of communication.

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and outcomes for children

Children have free use of a very good range of puzzles and jigsaws to develop their problem solving skills. They competently count, sort and match with support from the childminder. Children design and build using a wide range of construction materials. They share out the play dough and tools to ensure that harmonious play is maintained and as a result, children achieve very good results as they make model 'bugs'. Children engage in activities which support their understanding of increasing and decreasing numbers and sizes. Older children count confidently and are developing their awareness of addition and subtraction as they share toys and snacks. Children competently operate a tape recorder to play favourite music. They regularly have use of programmable and interactive toys, such as an electronic till. Children are developing a very good awareness of sustainability as they grow fruit and vegetables in the garden, which are fed with collected rain water and home-

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and outcomes for children

made compost. They enjoy investigating the garden and are delighted to find a snail which they observe with the childminder, before taking a photograph to study later. They are familiar with use of the camera and prompt the childminder to record their many achievements, of which they are very proud. Children are routinely recycling used packaging and are consciously saving energy, for example by helping the childminder to turn off the lights as they leave a room. They have use of a good range of natural materials stored in 'treasure boxes', which enable them to develop their sensory skills. Children participate in excellent opportunities to visit local attractions and places of interest. They are members of several local social and activity groups. Through planned activities and discussion children are developing a very good understanding of the wider world, as they talk about holidays abroad and discuss global events.

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and outcomes for children

Children role play in the den at the back of the garden. They make pretend picnics and older children enjoy taking responsibility for the imaginary pouring of the drinks and sharing the food. They show excellent levels of imagination as they initiate play ideas with others. They are able to develop this activity further to engage themselves in sustained and evolving play scenarios. Children enjoy opportunities to make collage, to paint and create junk models. They use a variety of interesting materials to express themselves artistically. Their work is prominently displayed for all to admire. Children are free to enjoy physical exercise both indoors and out. An excellent range of resources are available for children to push, pedal, ride on, climb on, go under and over, slide down and explore. Children follow good hygiene procedures and benefit from healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. Children are developing a good understanding of where their food

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and outcomes for children

comes from and that home grown food often tastes much nicer, which in turn encourages healthier eating habits. The childminder reminds children to drink This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly as the weather is hot and humid. Overall, children are extremely well cared for and are making excellent progress in their learning and development. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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