The Skegness Seathorne Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 120476 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Carol Willett

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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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult daughters. They live in a house in Lightwater, within walking distance of local shops, schools and a park. The ground floor is used for childminding and includes a dedicated playroom. Children go upstairs for sleeping only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for six children under eight years, of these, not more than three can be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for seven children on a part-time basis and of these five are in the early years age range.

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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 settled, happy and confident and they make steady progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides good quality care in a warm, welcoming family environment. She provides an inclusive setting and organises her home well so children can play safely as they freely choose what to play with. Good partnerships are formed with parents and the childminder shares information with pre-school teachers so she has a good knowledge of children's individual needs and learning. She has most of the required documentation in place and has a suitable range of policies and procedures. She generally evaluates her childminding practices effectively and identifies areas for development and her training needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the safeguarding policy to include the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation about the childminder or someone living on the premises  improve systems for observing and assessing children's development to include identification of their next steps in learning; obtain information about children's starting points in order to plan more effectively for children's progress in their development . 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 a good understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to keeping children safe. All adult members of the household have been vetted, and the childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures. She has written policies to support her practice in promoting children's welfare and she generally maintains all required records appropriately and shares them with parents to keep them well informed. The childminder has a clear understanding of what to do if there should be an allegation of abuse about herself or a family member, however, her policy does not include this information. Children are closely supervised as they play and the childminder regularly checks her home and garden for safety. Written risk assessment records are in place for both her home and outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is organised effectively so children have ample space to play and explore freely, moving from the sitting room and dining room to the dedicated playroom with confidence and ease. The childminder plays with children at their level, giving them support as needed and she treats them all with equal concern. The childminder has a suitable range of good quality toys and equipment that cover all areas of learning and meet children's stages of development and individual learning needs. All children happily explore the variety of resources that are stored in the playroom and are easily accessible in low shelving units.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms positive partnerships with parents and others involved in children's care and education. This enables her to ensure consistent practice in meeting children's individual needs. Her self-evaluation has identified her need to further develop these partnerships in order to compliment children's learning. The childminder shares both verbal and written information with parents, and parents confirm they are happy with the childcare provided. Their comments indicate she is 'easy-going, sensitive, understanding and welcoming, providing a safe secure family environment and lots of different activities'. The childminder has completed an evaluation of her practice, identifying her priorities for improvement, such as developing her learning and development records.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a warm, caring manner and she creates a welcoming, child- friendly environment so children are confident, secure and happy in their play. Children develop good relationship with the childminder; they enjoy their time and confidently select toys to play with in the dedicated playroom. The childminder has good interactive skills as she supports children's learning. She generally plans effectively for their development based on her observations of their interests and her knowledge and experience in childcare. However, she does not obtain information about children's starting points in their development or use her recorded observations fully to plan for the children's next steps in development so This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they can make maximum progress to the early learning goals. The childminder offers caring support encouraging children's learning through play. They make

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and outcomes for children

healthy dinners with play dough, they count the sweetcorn and sausages and peas and name the colours as the childminder uses effective questioning to extend their knowledge and thinking.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they feel safe as the childminder has a friendly manner, she gives lots of smiles and praise to reinforces children's emotional well-being and sense of belonging. Children's behaviour is good and they are cooperative and play well and the childminder treats them with kindness and respect. The childminder introduces a range of activities and resources, such as play dough, colouring and matching cards for the children to use. They have good opportunities to explore and show curiosity and independence as they develop their own play ideas and select resources, including building bricks and dolls. Children develop good skills for the future as the childminder provides an enabling environment and plans effectively for their development across all areas of learning. She provides good opportunities to prepare children for their next learning environment, such as pre-school and school. Children go out daily to a variety of places where they meet different adults

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and outcomes for children

and children and learn about their local community. They have access to a range of resources and enjoy creative activities to develop their awareness of diversity and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has very good hygiene routines so children play in a clean, well- maintained comfortable family home. Effective daily routines and good health and hygiene procedures reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Children know they need to wash their hands before they eat and after using the play dough using separate hand towels. Written pictorial notices in the bathroom act as effective reminders for children. Children's physical and dietary needs are effectively met as the childminder talks to parents and she has a good range of documentation that details children's special requirements. Children have healthy snacks and meals which are freshly cooked and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Drinks are accessible at all times. Children learn about healthy lifestyles as they enjoy regular fresh air and exercise as they walk to school to collect siblings. They play in the garden, go for walks and visit the local park. The childminder enables children to

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and outcomes for children

learn the importance of staying safe as she discusses road safety and gently reminds them about safety in the home. They regularly practise fire evacuation so they become confident in an emergency. 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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