Eltham Sixth Form Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 132930 Inspection date 30/09/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 2000. She lives with her partner and three children aged 12, nine and nearly two years in Keynsham, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding, and the first floor is used for rest times and access to bathroom facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll of which two are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time.

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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

Children make excellent progress in their learning and development as they enjoy the excellent variety of activities on offer to them. The childminder observes them closely to be well aware of and to extend their individual needs and interests. The home is very well organised to enable children to choose from a wealth of attractive resources and to be fully engaged in interesting play activities. The childminder works in very close partnership with families, other agencies and providers so that children's learning and welfare needs are met effectively. All required records are highly maintained and documents updated as necessary. The childminder's evaluation of her provision ensures that plans are well focused to bring about further improvements to the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the excellent hygiene practices are always maintained

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the early years provision

Thorough, comprehensive policies, procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. Risk assessments are carried out regularly and revised to ensure risks are minimised. The childminder regularly updates her knowledge with regard to child protection to have a secure understanding of current legislation. All adults in the household are vetted. The children are taught to keep themselves safe, for example, during emergency evacuation practices and on outings. All childminding records are highly maintained to support the excellent This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 care offered to children and their families. As a result, the childminder supports all children to achieve very well.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are outstanding. Families receive detailed information about the childminder's provision and Information about the children is frequently shared in conversations, and two-way day books. Parents are encouraged to become involved and support their child's learning. Parents commend the friendly, caring childminder for her support and flexibility. Parents comment that the childminder is extremely kind and thoughtful and they are confident their children are safe and secure in her care. Parents express how they appreciate that the childminder embraces the children's individuality. The childminder has excellent links with the other providers caring for children. She shares information very effectively with them.

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced and very organised so that her provision is expertly managed. She makes excellent use of her time and resources to fully meet children's needs. She actively promotes equality and diversity, ensuring activities are adapted appropriately to enable all children to access them if desired. She monitors activities and assessment is rigorous so children are fully integrated and achieve very well. The childminder makes excellent use of ongoing reflection that leads to in-depth self-evaluation. She is well aware of her strengths and fully considers the spoken and written views of parents and children to help identify areas for improvement. These include asking children to 'rate' the activities she provides by placing a homemade sticker in their learning journal with a smiley or serious face, depending on how good they feel the activity is. The childminder's record keeping about the children is meticulous. The childminder demonstrates an

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the early years provision

excellent capacity for continued improvement in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a stimulating, inclusive environment. They make excellent progress in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder's teaching stems from excellent knowledge of the early learning goals and of how young children learn and achieve. Rich, varied and imaginative experiences fully meet the needs of all children. High quality observation informs rigorous assessment and planning that is tailored to each child's needs and abilities. Rigorous monitoring systems ensure that children continue to make maximum progress in each area of learning. Young children enjoy learning through interesting play and practical activities as the childminder continually responds to their early communications about what they doing. She effectively supports and challenges them by asking, for example, "What colour is this'" Can you find the triangle'" Children are active learners, interested in the variety of toys and

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and outcomes for children

concentrating for a long time at each activity.

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and outcomes for children

The children gain an excellent understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. They learn the importance of adopting good hygiene practices and through discussion learn about the benefits of healthy eating. On the day of inspection the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children were offered a snack and were not asked to wash their hands. The childminder explained that the children had washed their hands before the inspector had arrived which was shortly before. Children are active and effectively learn about the benefits of physical activity. They are extended by the different opportunities offered of physical play, such as ride-on toys and swings. They gain confidence on a variety of challenging play equipment and enjoy daily walks taking in fresh air and exercise.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and quickly become absorbed in their play. They feel safe with the childminder and gain an excellent understanding of safety issues. They behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others, confidently moving around the house. Children enjoy their learning immensely and show a strong desire to participate and make choices. The childminder is highly skilled and sensitive in her management of children and their behaviour. As a result, young ones behave very well, interacting and learning to respect, cooperate and share resources. The childminder is an excellent role model so children develop high levels of self-esteem through her warm praise; they respond to become kind, polite and considerate. Acknowledgment of other cultures and differences is integrated in a natural way which provides children with valuable opportunities to learn about other people's lives and customs.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop excellent skills that will support them in the future. These include early language to communicate with others and to initiate and solve problems as these arise in their play. They become absorbed in small world play and delight in sharing books and stories. Children enjoy transporting sand from the tray to the tractor's trailer and take turns to ride the tractor around the garden. 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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