Cross Hall Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 107853 Inspection date 02/03/2011 Inspector Margaret Moffat

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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 three adult children, in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, places of interest and the library. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools and pre-schools. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may 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 is currently minding four children in this age group and two school age children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and she knows them very well. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where all children are valued and respected. She spends her time actively involved in their play and consequently they make good progress. Most toys and resources are organised appropriately to support children's learning. The childminder reflects well on her practice and shows and shows a good understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the storage of toys and resources to ensure that they are presented to children so they can learn independenlty.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues which supports children's welfare. All members of her household have been checked to ensure their suitability. There are effective procedures in place to report any concerns the childminder may have about the children in her care and she has attended recent training on child protection and this ensures her knowledge is up to date. The childminder creates a safe and secure environment for the children. She conducts risk assessments of her premises and all outings undertaken which she regularly reviews and daily checks are completed to ensure all risks are minimised. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learn how to keep themselves safe through discussions about road and car safety on outings and being involved in the emergency evacuation of the premises.

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the early years provision

The childminder is passionate about her work and shows a commitment to developing her knowledge of childcare and education. She has recently gained a relevant childcare qualification and regularly attends courses to assist in her own professional development and the service she offers. The childminder uses self- evaluation to monitor and evaluate her practice and also finds out the views of parents through questionnaires. As a result, the childminder shows a capacity for ensuring outcomes for children are fully met and continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are comfortable in the home and move around from the lounge to the designated playroom with ease. They have access to a good range of toys and resources to support their development which are readily accessible to them. However, some of the toys are mixed together in boxes making it difficult for children to learn independently. The childminder is fully aware of the need to promote equality and diversity. As a result of a recent training course, the childminder has purchased a number of new resources and books to help support children's awareness of positive images and other cultures celebrations and traditions. The childminder ensures she is aware of all children's particular needs and works with parents to adhere to their wishes, for example with regard to dietary needs and allergies.

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the early years provision

The childminder communicates effectively with other provisions the children attend sharing information regarding children's care, learning and development. This promotes their shared knowledge in children's development. The childminder develops good partnerships with parents. She encourages them when children first start to share children's individual care needs as well as their children's development stage and this information is used as a starting point for the children's future development. They share information verbally and also through daily diaries which provides a two way flow of communication between the childminder and parents regarding children's care and development. Parents comment on how happy they are with the service and the activities provided and how their children look forward to seeing the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children quickly settle when they come back from the school run. They develop independence as they are encouraged to take off their coats and shoes and are happy and content in their environment. Good relationships are evident and children show concern for others as they ask 'What is the matter?' if they see other children look sad. Children behave well and develop positive attitudes to learning because the childminder shows interest in everything they do and she is always close at hand with praise for every achievement, no matter how small.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the planning and observation systems in place show clearly the development children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making in all areas of learning and the next steps the childminder has identified for their progression. Children choose books for pleasure and confidently ask the childminder to read to them. As they look at the story sac together they listen and follow the instructions as they place pieces of fruit on the mat as the childminder reads the parrot story. They learn to share and take turns as they each have a turn of placing the fruits on the mat. The childminder uses conversation effectively to develop children's language skills and encourages the children to talk about the different fruits and what they see in the pictures. They learn the names of different animals and the noises they make and join in repeated phrases as the childminder

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing with play dough and use their imagination as they pretend to make cakes and pancakes. They ask for bowls and a saucepan and use a range of tools such as scissors and knives confidently as they cut the play dough and make shapes. The childminder uses the activity to develop children's counting skills and use of mathematical language such as bigger and smaller and children join in with the actions as the childminder sings 'Five currant buns' helping develop early calculation.

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and outcomes for children

There are effective systems in place to prevent the risk of cross infection, such as appropriate nappy changing procedures, and children have access to paper towels and liquid soap in the toilet. Children understand why they need to wash hands before snack and proudly show visitors their clean hands when they have completed this task. Children have daily opportunities to be outdoors in the fresh air and exercise as they walk the dog and play on the apparatus in the park. This develops their understanding of healthy living. The childminder uses outings well to support children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them as they learn about nature, the seasons and visit places of interest. They develop their social skills as they meet up with other childminders and children. They also have opportunities to develop their imagination as they act out the story of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' in the woods, which the childminder indicates they love to

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and outcomes for children

do. 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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