Rainham Village Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102324 Inspection date 08/07/2010 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 registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and three children in the city of Truro, in Cornwall. Apart from the top floor, all areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is generally accessible, although toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. The childminder has two goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently six children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. Some children also attend the local nursery school during term time. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has established positive partnerships with parents and she shares good levels of information with them, on a very regular basis. As a result, children's unique needs are identified, respected and met. The childminder actively seeks and welcomes support from the local authority and other early years agencies. She demonstrates a good ability to maintain continuous improvement in her childminding practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop consistency in the systems for assessment, in order to monitor progress in their learning and development and celebrate their achievements ensure that potential hazards in the outdoor area are made safe  develop effective systems with which to liaise 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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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to safeguarding the children in her care. She has developed and implemented good written risk assessments for the premises, toys, equipment and outings. Daily visual checks are completed prior to children attending. However, a patio heater and gas bottle stored outdoors present a potential hazard that has not been identified and removed. The childminder has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recently completed safeguarding training and demonstrates a high level of confidence in her ability to identify, record and report concerns in-line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Age appropriate safety equipment is used very effectively, to enable children to move safely indoors; for example, a stair gate prevents younger children from climbing the stairs unsupervised. The premises are organised well to provide children with an enabling and child-centred

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the early years provision

environment. A good range of toys, books and resources are used effectively to promote children's positive awareness and understanding of people's differences. The childminder is inclusive in her practice. She has developed good systems for establishing children's individual preferences, interests and abilities prior to them attending, in order that she can support them appropriately. Written information regarding future activities is shared effectively with parents, to actively encourage their involvement in children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a good range of documentation, which is used to establish and agree childminding practices with parents. Daily diaries contain good levels of information that is shared with parents each day. Parents reciprocate by providing the childminder with useful levels of information, in order to help her to meet children's individual needs. Children's records are shared and updated regularly. Confidentiality is respected and maintained. Most learning journals contain a sufficient range of evidence, to show that children are making progress during their time with the childminder. However, further development is required, in order to establish consistency in recording observations and identifying children's progress in relation to their specific 'next step', so that achievements can be celebrated. Although very effective partnerships have been established with parents, systems are not yet in place to liaise with other early years providers to

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the early years provision

support those children who attend another setting. The childminder has started to use formal systems for self-evaluation and she intends to use these systems to drive further improvement in her practice. The childminder is extremely committed to continued professional development. In addition to numerous relevant training courses, she has recently achieved Early Years Professional Status.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and content. They behave well and have a strong and trusting relationship with the childminder. Children's photographs are prominently displayed, which gives them a sound sense of belonging. Children are well cared for and receive good opportunities to promote their learning and development. The childminder promotes children's awareness of maintaining their own safety, as they practise regular fire evacuation procedures, in order to develop their confidence and familiarity. Good health and hygiene procedures are followed to ensure that children are not at risk from cross-infection. They use individual cloths for washing and understand the importance of keeping themselves clean. Children eat healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and are provided with free access to drinking water. They benefit from plenty of outdoor play, fresh air and good opportunities for physical exercise. Children are engaged in enjoyable play activities, such as

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and outcomes for children

role-play and sensory play. The childminder interacts very well to promote their learning and development. She introduces new words to increase their vocabulary, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 makes suggestions for extending play and provides a good range of tools and materials. The childminder offers high levels of praise and encouragement. As a result, children are confident to embrace challenge, while comfortable in the knowledge they may not always succeed.

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and outcomes for children

Children freely access favourite toys from low-level storage units and shelving. They enjoy free access to a good selection of books that help them to explore emotions, relationships and people's differences. Children enjoy story time with the childminder who reads 'The Hungry Caterpillar' to them. Children use cuddly toy caterpillars and a variety of pretend food to act out the story, as she reads. They also carefully count out the amount of food that the caterpillar has eaten. Children enjoy weekly visits to the local library and bookshop, which provide story sessions for younger children. They are confident to mark make, creating patterns, shapes and abstract pictures. Children enjoy imaginative role-play, painting and play dough. They engage in sensory exploration, using 'gloop' and treasure baskets that are filled with a good range of interesting natural objects. Children also enjoy regular opportunities to listen to music and to dance. Their artwork is attractively

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and outcomes for children

displayed for all to admire. Children explore the local environment and participate in regular activities that promote an awareness of the wider world. They are developing a respect for their own culture and beliefs and those of others. Children are also learning about sustainability, they routinely recycle used packaging and grow their own raspberries and strawberries to eat. They have use of computer technology and interactive toys on a regular basis. Overall, children are making good levels of 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 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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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