Nexus Foundation Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 119050 Inspection date 10/03/2011 Inspector Sheena Bankier

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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 1993. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for four children in the early years' age group on a part time basis. The childminder lives with her husband and two adult children in Bracknell, Berkshire. The ground floor of the home is mainly used for minding with access to the first floor for sleeping and toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden area available for outside play. The family have two pet dogs and a cat. Local facilities are within walking distance, such as, shops, schools and parks. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools, nurseries and pre-schools.

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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 development of the childminder's practice results in good continuous improvement. Children are confident in the care of the childminder and enjoy a broad range of activities, making good progress in their learning. Overall, paperwork meets requirements. Most procedures, practices and routines consistently support children's safety, good health and wellbeing. Secure partnerships with parents and others promote continuity in children's? care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the record of the risk assessment clearly states when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 25/03/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 review systems to ensure the cleanliness of all toys to consistently promote children's good health. . This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Safeguarding training underpins the childminder's good knowledge of child protection issues, such as procedures to follow in the event of concerns arising. The childminder considers children's safety effectively. She has a good range of procedures, equipment and practices to promote safety. For example, when out with the children she carries emergency contact numbers with her as well as information that identify that she is a childminder. She has detailed risk assessments in place; however the record of risk assessment is not sufficiently completed which is a breach of requirements

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the early years provision

The childminder obtains good information about children's individual needs, such as languages spoken, culture and religion. She actively uses this information to value children and celebrate their uniqueness, for example using key words in their home language. Children have equal access to resources regardless of gender. Children freely access and explore resources on offer, enabling them to make their own choices and decisions about their play. The childminder responds positively to children's requests for alternative resources to be brought out. Overall, resources are and well maintained although a few have not been sufficiently cleaned. The childminder uses a variety of local facilities that actively underpin children's learning and development, such as walks in the local woods to explore and investigate the natural world.

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the early years provision

Local training and early years support enable the childminder to take strong steps to develop her practice further. She actively gains parents views and comments through ongoing discussions and regular questionnaires. As a result, she evaluates her service successfully and drives good continuous improvement. The childminder shares information effectively, for example, she works in good partnership with parents and other settings. As a result, there is good consistency and continuity in meeting children's learning and care needs.

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and outcomes for children

The warm and homely environment enables children to relax and be at ease. Children form good relationships with the childminder, as she is warm, caring and affectionate. As a result, children feel safe and secure. Children develop positive relationships with other children and the childminder's family, promoting a strong sense of belonging. Children develop a good understanding of their own safety. For example, they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedure and the childminder reminds them to be careful at appropriate times. The childminder provides consistent behaviour boundaries. These actively promote children's developing understanding of sharing and taking turns. Warm praise and encouragement through words, actions and gestures increase children's self- esteem and confidence effectively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Comprehensive records of children's daily routines and progress are in place. Along

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and outcomes for children

with regular summaries, these enable the childminder to plan successfully for children's next steps in learning on a short and longer term basis. Parents have regular access to children's progress records and the childminder encourages them to contribute to these. She works closely with parents to support children's outcomes consistently.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder positively interacts with children. She increases their learning and development through everyday routines, play and activities. For example, counting stairs and spotting shapes while out in the environment. The childminder uses effective questioning to support children's thinking skills. She effectively researches information to extend children's understanding and knowledge, for example religious and cultural celebrations. The childminder has built up some good resources that actively support children in developing their skills for the future, such as number, letter and colour bingo games. She also works closely with other settings, gaining information about the curriculum and style of letter formation. This enables her to complement children's learning effectively and consistently.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene routines are in place overall. Children regularly wash their hands, such as, before eating or after touching pets. The childminder provides varied home cooked food to increase children's good understanding of healthy choices. Drinks are easily accessible to children. As a result, they drink according to their individual needs. Children benefit from regular fresh air and physical activity. The childminder regularly uses local facilities where children can access a good range of physical play resources, for example, parks, soft play facilities and equipment at the childminder group. 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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