Homerton College of Technology

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 100280 Inspection date 06/12/2010 Inspector Dinah Round

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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 registered to care for children in 1997. She lives with her daughter aged 22 years. They live in a house in Bournemouth, in Dorset, within walking distance of the local amenities. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. Childminding is mainly carried out on the ground floor, with toilet facilities and sleep provision on the first floor. Children have access to a securely enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have two dogs which children have access to under supervision.

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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 three may be on the Early Years Register. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care for older children aged over five years to 10 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Children are welcomed into a relaxed and caring environment where they are happy and settled. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's individual needs through the positive relationships developed with parents. The satisfactory range of resources provides children with varied play activities and experiences to support their learning and development, although the opportunities to fully promote children's independence are not explored. Children's health and safety is suitably promoted. Systems to evaluate the quality of the provision are not effectively developed to fully reflect on ways to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, and develop further the systems to assess and monitor each child's development and learning, in order to help plan for and meet, their development and learning needs  review organisation of routines and activities to help foster children's independence  develop systems of self-evaluation to effectively identify the priorities for development that will improve the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is sufficiently organised with the necessary documentation in place to support children's health and welfare. The childminder's policies and procedures are used to support the childminder's practice and shared with parents to inform them of her role. Regular risk assessments are completed for all areas children use which helps to identify and minimise risks to children. The childminder has recently attended a refresher course to update her knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has a sound understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child. This contributes towards safeguarding children.

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the early years provision

The premises are suitably organised to allow children to move freely and safely around within their play. A reasonable range of resources are made accessible to children within the play environment which enables them to make some choices about their play. This includes play equipment that reflects positive images of other cultures which helps to raise children's awareness of diversity. Children are taken on frequent outings and have access to the outdoor play space at set times, this provides them with regular exercise and fresh air. The childminder recognises the importance of continuing to develop her childminding provision, however, effective systems to identify and highlight all areas for improvement for children are not yet fully established.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops positive relationships with parents which supports her in following children's individual needs. The informal discussions at the beginning and end of the day ensure that there is a regular exchange of information with parents about their child's well-being. Parents are happy with the care provided and the childminder's flexibility in accommodating their individual family's needs. The childminder has started to link with other early years settings that children attend which contributes towards providing continuity of care and learning. For example, pre-school children are helped to find an item associated to the 'letter' of the week to take into pre-school

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled; they relate well to the childminder confident to approach her when they need support as they can be assured of a warm and friendly response. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's particular needs and follows their individual routines so they feel comfortable in her care. Children are provided with a suitable range of age appropriate play activities and experiences which keep them sufficiently interested and engaged. The observational assessments carried out to help monitor children's progress are in the early stages of development. The childminder is not fully confident in her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework which means she does not always make the most of the opportunities to extend children's learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn social skills, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' and they cooperate well when tidying away the puzzles before snack time. The childminder praises their efforts which help to boost their confidence and self- esteem. However, opportunities to fully promote children's independence within the routines and activities are not maximised. Children enjoy listening to stories and happily cuddle up to the childminder to look at the pictures in the 'Thomas' book. Their language is suitably promoted as the childminder generates conversation and children repeat familiar words. Children have access to a variety of art and craft activities. They show good control as they use the spatula to spread glue and enjoy sticking on shapes and sprinkling glitter to decorate their Christmas cards. Children take part in regular outings to places of interest, such as Moors Valley Country Park, Stay and Play sessions at the children's centre and trips

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and outcomes for children

to the beach. This raises children's awareness of their local community and provides them with greater learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is sufficiently supported. They learn about keeping themselves safe through the gentle reminders from the childminder, such as explaining to younger children that sitting in their seat means they can safely sit up to the table. The childminder follows appropriate hygiene routines with children to help reduce the spread of infection. Children's food is supplied by the parents; the childminder obtains information about children's individual dietary needs to ensure that children remain healthy. 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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