St Mark's CofE School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 147801 Inspection date 01/09/2010 Inspector Maria Conroy

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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 assesses 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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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 1987. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Harrow in the London borough of Harrow. The family live in a house and the whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a downstairs toilet, which is easily accessible for children. The rear garden is fully enclosed and there is both a paved area and a grass area. The family have no pets. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works in partnership with her husband who is also a registered childminder.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding eight children some of whom attend on a part time basis; of those five are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is part of the 'Children Come First' childminding Network in Harrow and holds a National Vocational Qualification in Early Years and Childcare.

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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 works in partnership with her husband and they successfully work together to provide a holistic approach in order to meet the individual needs of the children who attend, and their families. The childminder has a through understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage; therefore the learning and development opportunities are exceptional and personalized to support each child?s individual development and interests. The systems in place for monitoring and evaluating are robust and successful in identify areas for improvements. As a result the childminder is highly effective in all areas of her practice.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  enhance the safeguarding procedures to include the steps to be taken in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of the household

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the early years provision

Children are fully safeguarded due to the excellent systems in place to protect them. For example children are always supervised by either the childminder or her husband, who is also a registered childminder. Visitors who enter the premises have their identity checked by the childminder and there is 'close circuit television', monitoring the internal and external areas. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues including the steps to be taken in the allegation of abuse against a member of the family; although this is not included within the safeguarding procedure. Detailed risk assessments are undertaken both in the home and for the outings undertaken by the children; which ensures that any identified hazards are minimized.

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the early years provision

The childminder is ambitious and eager to continue to improve her professional development. She regularly attends training, which she then effectively implements within her own practice. For example a course on 'creative use of space' inspired the designing of an outdoor den, using a space in the garden which would otherwise not have been used. The childminder is also a member of the Harrow childminding network, an accredited group, and is a mentor for both new and experience childminder's sharing her skills and expertise. The childminder has undertaken a rigorous process of self-evaluation and has clearly identified a number of areas that she can make further improvements; for example to encourage children to take risks within a safe environment. She actively seeks the views of both parents and children and uses this information to improve all aspects of her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly effective in promoting equality and diversity, in all aspects of the service she provides. She plans specific activities for individual children linked to their likes and developmental needs and encourages all children to learn about other cultures through planned activities. For example, cooking and eating noodles for Chinese New Year and finding out about Purim a Jewish Festival, celebrating Holi the Hindu Festival and Remembrance Day. The childminder knows the children and their families exceptionally well, some of whom she has cared for since they were babies. She is aware of children's specific needs and works successfully with parents, who provide her with detailed information to enable her to offer consistently high quality care and attention to every child. The childminder and her husband both care for the children effectively, which enables them to provide positive role models to both boys and girls.

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the early years provision

The childminder has formed successful links with local schools over a number of years and liaises with both reception and nursery class, to obtain information relevant to the curriculum. This information is then fed into the individual planning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she undertakes for the children in her care. Partnership with parents is inspiring; they have a computer link to their child's file, containing art work, observations with photographic evidence to support these and the activity planning in addition they receive a weekly report of their progress in relation to the six areas of learning. Parents actively contribute to the planning by keeping the childminder informed of their child's likes and interests. This information is used along with observations to successfully support specific developmental needs and promotes the outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she incorporates into the activities she provides to effectively promote all six areas of learning enabling her to provide a stimulating environment. Wonderful trusting relationships have been developed within this home based family environment. This enables children to maximize their learning potential as they feel safe and secure and confident to explore, investigate and try new things.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder undertakes systematic observations which are analyzed and evaluated to identify the next steps for children's individual development in all areas of learning. The observations are complemented by photographic evidence, enabling parents to have an insight into the activities their child has taken part in. Parents keep the childminder informed of their child's current interests, ensuring that they are part of planning for their children's learning journey.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication, language and literacy skills are actively promoted through the use of a variety of activities. Children relish looking at books and listening to stories. They particularly enjoy 'peek-a- boo' and 'can I have a hug', they gather round the childminder as she reads the story in a gentle tone. Children enjoy singing songs such as 'five cuddly bears sitting on a wall', the childminder uses home made props to support the activity, ensuring that very young children are engaged and excited while they learn mathematical concepts.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep themselves safe, they take part in regular fire drills and they use low level hand rails to support them in moving from one level of the premises to another. The childminder discusses road safety as they walk to local schools, they are reminded about stranger danger and very young children learn to hold on to the buggy and get used to the reins and straps used to protect them.

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and outcomes for children

Children show an extremely strong sense of security and belonging, and are exceedingly happy and very well behaved. Their self-esteem is continually developed for example through the use of the 'art gallery' where the children's work is displayed. The childminder is highly skilled and sensitive in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 management of children and their behavior. They are regularly given cuddles and support. The childminder is tuned into what they need from her to feel settled. For example a child enjoys listening to 'twinkle little star' on a Dictaphone, which they hold and carefully listen.

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and outcomes for children

Children work exceptionally well independently and together, showing excellent negotiation and co-operation skills, for example, when one child helps another to dry the outdoor rocker before they can sit on it.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is pro-active in promoting healthy lifestyles; children grow a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, and turnips. They then use these to cook dishes such as minestrone soup. Children attend music and movement sessions and make regular visits to the park. A menu board is displayed in the hall; giving parent's details of the nutritious menus in advance; children frequently request their favourites again and again giving evaluations when different ingredients are used. Children are regularly re-hydrated with fresh drinking water throughout the day, which they can pour for themselves, while younger children are offered appropriate beaker cups. Children wash their hands frequently throughout the day and they are encouraged to be independent, as they follow pictorial instructions displayed in the bathroom telling them how to do this. .

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively promotes children's physical, social and economic development because of her transparent understanding, of how children's positive learning experiences at such a young age has an impact on their future development and their long term attitude to learning. A number of children have attended the setting from a very young age and continue to attend into their teenage years. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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