West Garforth Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 107856 Inspection date 30/11/2010 Inspector Margaret Davie

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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 1997. She lives with her partner and two children aged 14 and 17 years, in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Local shops, schools and parks are all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of her house is used for childminding. This area contains a number of internal steps. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She currently minds three children in the early years age group for a variety of sessions. She also cares for five older children before and/or after school. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She also cares for children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder takes and collects children to and from local schools. She has obtained a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Children's care, learning and development.

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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

Overall, children thrive in the childminder's care. She establishes and maintains highly effective partnerships with parents and other providers to ensure children's individual needs are met. Her setting is very effectively organised to provide a safe and secure environment and to ensure children's protection. She monitors her provision thoroughly and demonstrates an excellent capacity to maintain her already high standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing the assessment systems further to plan for each child's future leaning needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to safeguard children. She has recently attended child protection training and is clear about the signs and symptoms of abuse as well as what to do if she ever had a concern about a child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in her care. She assesses and minimises any risks to children in her setting very effectively, and as a result ensures they play and go about their routines safely. A comprehensive range of policies and procedures as well as all required documentation is in place to promote children's welfare. Children are further kept safe and secure by careful checks for all outings. The use of high-visibility jackets on excursions further promotes their safety when out. All adults in her household have been vetted to ensure their suitability and she keeps a record of any visitors to her home.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home very effectively to encourage children to initiate their own play and freely choose toys which interest them. Resources are suitable for children's stages of development and set out attractively to entice them to investigate and explore. For example, the play kitchen is set up with a range of cooking implements to encourage role play. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to promote equality and diversity. She has recently attended relevant training and updated her resources to help children gain a better understanding of the wider world. She informs herself fully of children's home circumstances and particular requirements and works closely with parents to meet each child's individual needs. Excellent relationships with parents impact very positively on children's development. Information gained from parents is comprehensive and forms a solid basis to help the childminder ensure their needs

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the early years provision

are met. An ongoing exchange of information, including diaries, discussion and texts ensures that parents and the childminder are fully up to date with children's developments. Written communications received from parents indicate they are very happy with the care their children receive. The childminder keeps informed about the care children receive at other settings and as a result, consistency in their care and learning is effectively promoted. For example, she is included on the mailing list and receives fortnightly updates from a local nursery attended by children.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her setting very rigorously. Since her last inspection she has undertaken a wide range of relevant training and used this knowledge very effectively to improve her provision. She has addressed all the recommendations set at her previous inspection and as a consequence considerably improved outcomes for children. For example, her attendance register now accurately records children's arrival and departure times. The childminder obtains regular feedback from parents about her service and takes their views into account when planning further developments. For example, following a suggestion from parents, she now takes children to a local music group.

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and outcomes for children

All children are very happy and well settled in the childminder's home. She knows each of them really well and provides a wide range of toys and activities which promote their learning and development. Children have plenty of room to spread out and play in safe areas, and demonstrate high levels of confidence as they move around her home. They demonstrate a high sense of security and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contentment because they follow their individual routines for eating and sleep. They gain an excellent understanding of personal safety, for example when the childminder points out potential risks, such as stepping on the toys as they play. They gain an understanding of what to expect in an emergency by regularly practising the evacuation procedures. They develop an understanding of how to keep safe on outings by practising road safety.

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and outcomes for children

Comprehensive policies and procedures which are shared with parents effectively protect children from illness and infection. Children develop an excellent understanding of the importance of regular hand washing, happily heading toward the cloakroom when the childminder tells them it's time for snack. The childminder provides a very effective role model to children, for example explaining why they need to wipe their nose to prevent the spread of germs. Children receive healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and thoroughly enjoy the home cooked, well balanced meals. Meals are varied and take account of children's individual dietary needs. Their drinks are available at all times. Excellent daily opportunities are provided for children to play and learn in the outdoor environment. Extended walks in the locality means they get plenty of fresh air and exercise and develop a range of skills such as learning the names of plants and talking about the weather. These

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and outcomes for children

walks are often in the company of another local childminder and therefore provide excellent opportunities for children to socialise with others as well as develop their physical skills. The childminder's calm and relaxed manner impacts positively on children's behaviour. She praises and encourages them continually, thereby promoting high levels of self-esteem. For example, a great fuss is made of a young child who manages to eat a meal using utensils. The childminder places a high priority on good manners, gently prompting children to remember to say please and thankyou.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop very positive attitudes to learning. The childminder knows each of them very well and provides a wide range of activities which they enjoy. She maintains a learning and development file for each of them in which she records observations about their progress and identifies plans for future activities. She keeps comprehensive written and photographic evidence alongside some examples of children's work to support her assessments. She has an excellent knowledge of the areas of learning as well as the early learning goals and uses the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance effectively to inform her work. She plans flexibly, taking children's interests into account, however does not yet identify how activities will support each child's learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

All children make excellent progress across the areas of learning. The childminder supports their learning very well, extending their thinking through discussion and the provision of resources. Children have great fun playing hide and seek and reinforce their number skills as they count from one to 10 before searching for each other behind the furniture. They develop very good communication skills as the childminder spends her time playing and chatting with them. They listen very carefully as she reads them a story and enjoy looking at the pictures in the big scrap book. Their learning is extended as she encourages them to discuss the pictures and repeat words. Children show great delight as they copy the names of animals and try out 'oinking' sounds as they look at a picture of a pig. These activities provide them with very good support to develop their vocabulary. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to be creative as they use materials such as shaving foam to develop their sensory skills and express their ideas as they paint pictures on the large easel. They enjoy listening to nursery music, and are skilfully supported to develop their learning as the childminder picks up their interest in a song, and shows them how to do the motions as they follow along. Children take part in a wide range of self-selected and adult-led activities based on their own interests and abilities and as a result are well prepared for future learning. 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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