Highfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 102407 Inspection date 20/01/2011 Inspector Heather Tanswell

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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 in 1996. She lives with her husband and two children in Newquay, Cornwall. Children use the downstairs of the childminder's home with the exception of the bedrooms. A garden is used for outdoor play activities. The premises are accessible.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently two children attending who are within the early years age range who live in surrounding towns and villages. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends toddler and carer sessions at two local Children's Centres.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled, have lots of fun, are safe and secure in the care of a childminder who ably adapts activities and routines to meet the individual needs and interests of children. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are well-established and enhance the quality of care and learning opportunities available for children. All policies and most of the required procedures are in place to underpin good practice. The childminder maintains good progress by reflecting on her work with children and through attendance on a wide variety of relevant training events.

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further?

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

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further?

 display the certificate of registration and show it to parents on request. 04/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 improve hygiene routines, in this case by providing individual towels for children to dry their hands on and minimise the risk of cross infection  help children learn about the food chain, planting, growing, gathering, and preparing different foods 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 has set up and implemented all of the required policies to safeguard children from harm and most procedures to promote their safety and welfare. All adults in the home are vetted promptly and regular reviews of risk assessments identify and minimise hazards, therefore keeping children safe and secure. The childminder works very closely with parents through informal feedback, daily diaries, a notice board, and by sharing informative learning journals. Observation and assessment records include photographic evidence of children's achievements linked to the areas of learning, accompanied by ideas that illustrate how the childminder will help children take their next steps to share with parents and make good links with home. The childminder has not displayed her certificate of registration which is a legal requirement. However, the last inspection report is on display and other records shared with parents are accurate, which

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the early years provision

means they have received the correct information about the numbers and ages of children the childminder may care for.

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the early years provision

Self-evaluation is firmly rooted in observations of children and through shared knowledge and learning gained by working alongside other professionals. Recent training events attended include a wide variety of topics, for example, mark making, safeguarding children, planning, observation and assessment, self-initiated play and paediatric first aid. As a result, the childminder knows what she has to do to maintain standards of care and learning and to improve quality overall. Regular outings, shared activities with another childminder, and visits to Children Centre groups enables minded children to become part of the wider community. Children make friends as carers work together to plan and provide learning experiences for the benefit of all. They go on visits to the fire station, zoo, and woodland walks. Children access a wide variety of toys and other resources that promote their development, confidence, knowledge of the environment and understanding of the

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the early years provision

community they live in and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children form firm friendships and are very happy in the care of a welcoming and caring childminder who recognises the needs of every child. Activities are often self-chosen or suggested following children's responses to play and carefully adapted by the childminder to provide suitable challenge. Great care is taken to interact playfully and introduce new skills. Very quickly children learn to insert and turn a key that makes a dragon pop out and start to copy and use language such as up, down, and turn around as they play. For their age, children are adept at sharing, handling tools such as pencils and rulers, helping, taking part in small group activities, and confident to reach out and communicate.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in active learning outdoors and thrive because their physical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and emotional needs are met very well. Children revel in physical play and are keen to enjoy the benefits of exercise. They develop strength and coordination as they roll balls to knock over skittles, learn very quickly how to catch balls in both arms, and stand on one leg and balance to kick then run after a ball. Activities such as these and daily routines support children's emerging understanding of healthy habits. Most meals and snacks come from home and the childminder keeps a stock of healthy options should children be hungry. Children begin to think about the foods they enjoy as the childminder talks about a planned birthday party, but planting and growing food are not planned as part of learning about the natural world. Hygiene standards around the home are very good and children learn the

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and outcomes for children

necessity to wash their hands after nappy changing and before meals. However, children share a towel to dry their hands which poses a risk of cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop early reading and writing skills through meaningful and practical experiences such as looking at books, drawing and colouring activities. When they are tired after rigorous exercise and snack time they snuggle up close and listen and join in with popular and traditional action rhymes made more interesting by colourful song sheets and puppets. Children begin to apply knowledge of number in meaningful ways relevant to their age as they blow their noses on the count of three. They make simple models using junk materials and match and sort toys and balls to colour. Children feel emotionally secure in the company of the childminder and learn about keeping safe. Danger awareness grows as the childminder talks to them about wearing shoes to avoid slips and they practise emergency evacuations. Overall children thrive in the childminder's care and develop the skills they need to become active and inquisitive learners.

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and outcomes for children

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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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