Park Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116473 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector Glenda Pownall

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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 1997. She lives with her adult child and two children, who are aged 11 and 13 years, in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding, with sleeping facilities for very young children on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both 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 no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children part time in this age group. She also cares for eight children in the older age range. The childminder holds the Nursery Nursing Examination Board (NNEB) qualification.

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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 play in a safe environment because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities. She is kind and caring towards children and provides a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment where children have their needs well met. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. The partnerships with parents are a particular strength of the childminder's practice and they are well informed of the progress their children make. There is a breach of requirement with regard to documentation. The childminder has clear plans for further improvement to her practice to benefit the care, learning and development of the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Promoting good health) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 09/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment so that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact, with particular regard to the fire hearth  develop records of learning and development for each child as soon as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 start so that the records are accessible straightaway for parents to add what children can do at home.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder has a good understanding of how to implement the necessary policies and procedures effectively to safeguard children. However, she has misunderstood how to complete the medicine form and does not have prior written consent for the medicines parents have given her to administer. The childminder gives children's safety high priority. She reviews her risk assessment each time a new child starts in her care and puts appropriate safety measures in place. The record of risk assessment does not cover everything with which children may come into contact, as it does not include an assessment of the fire hearth. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them about road safety and the meaning of different road signs when out walking in the local environment. The childminder has good knowledge of the child protection procedures and is confident to make a referral if there is a concern that a child is

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the early years provision

at risk of harm. This safeguards children.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans topics and activities to develop children's awareness of the wider world. There is a wide range of good quality resources to support children's learning and development. The toys for young children are stored at floor level and this allows the children to select toys independently. Children learn to take care of the environment by growing plants, helping with the household recycling, and talking about the local environment on nature walks with the childminder. There are effective procedures in place to support continuity of learning and care for children who are in the Early Years Foundation Stage and at school. Parents are very pleased with the childcare their children receive. They particularly like the approachable, professional manner of the childminder and the variety of activities provided for children. The childminder establishes very positive relationships with parents. She verbally exchanges information with parents each day and is available

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the early years provision

to discuss children's progress at anytime. This ensures that she has the necessary information to meet children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder monitors her practice by regularly reviewing her policies and the records of children's learning and development. The childminder seeks the views of parents and children through regular questionnaires and includes any feedback in her self-evaluation process. She also talks to children about what they would like to do and eat and revises her plans to accommodate their suggestions and interests. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been improved upon. The current plans for improvement include expanding the variety of topics covered with children and attending training to refresh and extend her knowledge in order to improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children develop the necessary skills to secure their future learning. Young children are inquisitive learners and appear very secure in the childminder's care. They are happy to explore the toys away from the childminder and are content as the childminder follows their routines with regard to sleeping and eating. Young children confidently hold their hand out to a visitor when attempting to stand. Young children snuggle in for a cuddle on the childminder's lap before having a sleep, indicating trusting relationships. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance and provides effective support to promote children's progress across all areas of development. The childminder undertakes regular observations and assesses these to plan for each child's next steps in learning. Activities are planned each week to support these next steps and children's interests. Records of learning and development are generally in place

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and outcomes for children

and shared with parents. However, there is no record of learning and development for some parents to contribute to or view as the childminder does not always create the records as soon as children start.

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and outcomes for children

There are effective procedures in place to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The childminder encourages children to adopt good personal hygiene routines. Children have made signs for the bathroom to remind everyone to wash their hands after using the toilet. Children play in the garden when the weather allows and undertake daily visits to parks and walks in the local environment. The childminder talks with them about the benefits of physical exercise and this develops children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle. The childminder promotes healthy eating by providing healthy balanced meals. She provides young children with spoons and praises them when they attempt to feed themselves. Children help prepare snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables. This develops self-care skills.

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and outcomes for children

Young children make choices about what they want to play with. When they choose a dustpan, the childminder follows their interest and provides the brush. Their self-esteem is fostered and they smile with delight when the childminder praises them for sweeping the carpet. The childminder plans activities to develop children's awareness of their local community and these include visits to local places, such as the fire station. Children respond positively to requests to help with tidying up the toys, demonstrating awareness of agreed ways to behave. Young children competently communicate with the childminder and she responds positively to the sounds and gestures they make. This supports the development of language and communication skills. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 09/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 09/03/2011

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