Blenheim Park Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 144021 Inspection date 15/03/2011 Inspector Arda Halls

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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 1985. She lives with her partner and her daughter aged 18. They live in a two bed room flat in a low rise block in Stockwell, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The childminder lives close to transport links, local shops, parks and schools. The whole of the apartment, apart from one bedroom, is used for childminding. This includes a sitting room that is used for play activities and meals and a bedroom that is used for children's rest. Children are supervised when using the bathroom and the kitchen. The communal gardens are used for outside play under constant supervision.

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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 care for a maximum of three children at any one time and has two children under five on roll on a part-time basis. However, there were no children present at the inspection. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local drop-in groups and the public library. The family have no pets. The childminder has experience of supporting children with English as an additional language.

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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

Effective arrangements exist to ensure children's safety and health is effectively promoted. Risk assessments are in place, but not signed or dated. There are strong links with parents which supports them to be actively involved in their children's care and education. The childminder has an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of her service and takes effective steps to improve it. She has taken steps to ensure a suitable system is in place for recording complaints and to implement a confidential incident record system.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain the record of risk assessments to include name of person who has checked the assessment and date it was checked.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised in a clean and inviting setting. The childminder demonstrates an accurate understanding of how to keep children safe and knows what to do if they have a concern about children. Policies and procedures are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 unique to the setting including what to do in the event of an allegation of abuse being made. The complaints procedure clearly informs parents how they may contact the regulator if they should wish to make a complaint. The childminder maintains records required by the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that the needs of all children are met.

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the early years provision

The setting is well-resourced. The childminder describes how children are engaged in their play for extensive periods of time as they are able to play and explore a varied range of toys and resources that meets the needs of all children.

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the early years provision

Partnerships are well established and make a successful contribution to children's achievement and well-being. Communication takes place with other childminders and partners to support children effectively.

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the early years provision

Children's individual care needs are precisely identified as children start at the setting. This means their daily routines are designed to take children's needs into account. For example, the childminder explains that children are very active which means they need periods of time when they can rest. She plans the best time to go for a walk in the park or visit the local drop-in.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good relationship with parents and carers which ensures each child's needs are met. Parents are frequently asked for their views which are used to inform important decisions about the provision. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress at the end of the day at which time they may voice their opinions verbally. Parents also write glowing references for the childminder stating that she is an 'excellent, caring childminder who takes a great interest in all aspects of the development of children in her care'.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects effectively on her practice and has developed a self- evaluation document that portrays her commitment to enhance and develop her childcare practice. She establishes daily routines to help children learn about the order of the day. She explains how children can access drinking water at any time and how she has developed systems to introduce new foods to children but recognises that it can take some time before children accept and enjoy new foods such as plantain. The childminder establishes good links with other childminders to ensure continuity of care for the children. She works successfully within the Early Years Foundation Stage to provide well organised care for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes steps to evaluate the provision for children's learning, development, welfare. She understands her strengths and weaknesses and takes action to tackle weaknesses effectively such as attending training courses on a variety of childminding topics. Plans for future are effectively targeted which means the childminder is able to bring about sustainable improvements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children were not present at the inspection as they were ill. Documentation portrays how actively engaged they are in their play and exploration. They are encouraged to be active and inquisitive and as a result are independent learners. They benefit from a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities which means children are consistently occupied and enjoying their learning journey. She demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn although learning records are not completed. The childminder explains how creative play is on offer at home and in the local drop-in centre where they are supported to express themselves with a variety of play materials such as sand, water, paint and play dough. The childminder recognises the importance of following the children's interests. She explains how she uses the public library to extend children's learning about their own cultures and those of others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how children are developing good basic skills for their future. For example, they learn about numbers through the stories they read and they learn to recognise shapes when assembling puzzles. They learn further skills through a good selection of manipulative play materials. She promotes children's language through constant conversation. The childminder demonstrates how she is fully involved in all aspects of the children's play and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how she promotes children's personal development, care and understanding of a healthy lifestyle. She teaches children to wash their hands when they are covered in paint and before lunch is served. The childminder uses gloves to help prevent cross-contamination between children when she is handling food, changing nappies or cleaning. She explains how much children enjoy learning about cleaning. She laughingly explains how children put substances on the floor so they have an opportunity to clean them up with the vacuum cleaner. A ll areas of the home are orderly and good hygiene is practised at all times. Risk assessments covering risks both indoors and on outings have been prepared and the childminder recognises the benefits of updating them at regular intervals. However, the risk assessments do not contain particular aspects such as when they were checked and by whom.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how she strives to raise children's awareness of how to keep safe. She reminds them not to run inside and explains how they are beginning to learn about road safety and how to hold hands when crossing the road. She explains how they leave the building effectively during practice fire evacuations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains how she promotes positive behaviour. The childminder explains how children are kind to one another and show concern if anyone cries. She describes how the children have a good sense of belonging and self-esteem which she reinforces throughout the day. 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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