St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 117435 Inspection date 03/11/2010 Inspector Sarah Wignall

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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 son in the city of Plymouth in Devon. Children use all ground floor areas of the childminder's home. Steps lead up to the front door. The setting is open each weekday from 8.00am until 6.00pm all year round. A maximum of six children aged from birth to eight years may attend the setting at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. They live locally and some also attend other early years settings. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a suitable awareness of each child and their individual needs. Basic activities and resources are provided that contribute to children's learning and development suitably. Adequate systems are in place to support health and safety. Parents receive basic information regarding their child's care. The childminder has identified some areas for future development accurately, but has not addressed all issues arising from her last inspection in full; consequently, overall she shows a suitable capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 17/11/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the programme for children's physical development by planning more activities for them to access suitable equipment  improve planning systems by making better use of information gained from observations of children's play to decide what children need to learn next, and encourage parents to be part of this process This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve the quality of children's learning and development by providing a wider range of equipment and resources that are sufficient, challenging and can be used in a variety of ways or to develop specific skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides suitable levels of supervision as children play and move around the home. She has a basic understanding of safeguarding, and is aware of what action to take if she is concerned about children in her care. She supervises children appropriately when unvetted adults are present. Basic safety measures are in place that identify and minimise potential hazards to children's safety, but she has not carried out a risk assessment. This is a breach of a specific requirement. She has devised an emergency evacuation plan and ensures children are aware of this, so that, taking these measures together, overall, children are safeguarded appropriately. The childminder has established suitable partnerships with parents, with whom she share documentation. Information is exchanged each day, helping to keep both the childminder and parents informed of changing needs and interests. ; however, parents are not encouraged to help identify children's next steps for their learning

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the early years provision

and development. The childminder has established daily routines that provide children with opportunities for free play or to participate in structured activities such as painting. The home is adequately organised with toys and resources freely available in the lounge, so that overall, resources promote children's learning and development appropriately. Occasional visits to the local park and walks to school provide children with some outdoor access. However, opportunities for children to develop physical skills (both indoors and outdoors) are not provided on a sufficiently regular basis. The childminder has completed basic mandatory training. She is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, appropriately. She seeks advice and support from the local authority staff to help her recognise her weaknesses and has identified some areas for development; such as making more use of the outdoors, taking children to local play sessions where they can mix and

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the early years provision

socialise with others, and developing her computer skills, She has improved some outcomes for children following the last inspection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are comfortable and settled with the childminder. They enjoy the opportunity to play with other children in the home and enthusiastically join in role play with others. Children are learning to negotiate and resolve differences, as they ask for a turn on the till or to use the ironing board for the doll's clothes. They learn to take turns and co-operate as they roll a ball to each other, offering suggestions as to how they may catch the ball. They develop the physical skills of co-ordination and control in this way, which helps uderpin skills for their future This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning; however, children's progress is slowed as access to such play is limited.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in the lounge where they can help themselves to a limited range of toys and resources. They enjoy creating shapes as they roll and cut play dough using a range of tools. Children begin to recognise colours as they talk about the orange or purple dough. They use paint to make pictures and show good levels of concentration as they complete their pictures. The childminder responds to their needs and requests, and offers adequate support as they play. She offers praise as they catch the ball or complete the picture.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the children's individual needs and interests. However, she has not used her observations of children sufficiently to plan relevant next steps, or to ensure that toys and resources offer sufficient challenge to the children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about hygiene appropriately, as they wipe their hands before snack and after messy play. They are provided with a generally healthy snack and lunch and the childminder ensures they regularly drink during the day. Discussions with parents help to keep the childminder informed of any dietary needs. Children gain an appropriate understanding of safety as they follow established procedures when out walking or playing at home. The childminder monitors the children at play to ensure toys are used safely.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond well to the childminder and are confident as they request toys or other items. She meets their needs promptly. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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