Palm Tree School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131983 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Linda Close

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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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the New Malden area of Surrey. The local authority is the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. The whole ground floor of the childminder?s house is used for childminding and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for sleeping purposes only. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time and of these three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children who attend part time and of these two are two years old and one is over five years old and is cared for after school and during school holidays. A small number of the children attending speak English fluently but hear other languages spoken at home. The childminder regularly takes children to local parks and toddler groups.

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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

The childminder meets the needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage because she knows them well and ensures that the activities she provides are well chosen to catch their interests. Children are making good progress given their age and starting points. They are safe and secure with the childminder and they enjoy learning about the local area and the world around them. Partnerships with parents are good and this helps the childminder to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder evaluates her service to children effectively overall. Her evaluation provides a realistic view of her provision in most respects and she is keen to improve any areas of weakness.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessments to include an assessment of risks for every venue  develop further the current system of assessing children's progress to give a clearer picture of their achievements  ensure that children always have healthy choices for their snacks and that they always wash their hands before eating. 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 makes safeguarding children a high priority. She checks her home daily before they arrive to make sure that no sharp or dangerous items are accessible to them. She keeps her garden sheds locked and makes sure that her garden is safe and secure. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of ill-treatment and is ready to take appropriate steps if she has concerns for the welfare of the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has conducted a thoughtful self evaluation exercise giving due consideration to almost all aspects of her provision. She makes sure that her paediatric first aid is updated and her insurance is current. She consults parents about their points of view and they unanimously state that they are happy with the standards of care that she provides. They comment favourably on her calmness and her reliability. They also applaud the kind way she treats their children and they state their gratitude for her flexibility which supports them in their own working arrangements. The childminder is eager to maintain good standards and is currently researching further courses of training to keep her knowledge fresh. Self evaluation has revealed a minor limitation in what are otherwise a good range of risk assessments for indoors and for outings. The assessment for some outings is general and does not give specific details of each individual venue which is a

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the early years provision

Children are given easy access to a good range of toys, books and resources which the childminder changes from time to time to maintain their interest. She provides playthings and some activities that help children to learn about diversity. She takes children on regular outings to a local playgroup so that they can meet and play with children and adults from different backgrounds to help them to become accustomed to and to respect others. She also shares her own linguistic skills with them through songs and stories.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the value of working in partnership with other adults who share the care of the children. She talks to children's teachers to find out how she can complement what they do at school. She makes notes about each child's day which go home in a diary for parents and other family members to read and add their comments. In this way she actively promotes continuity of care. The childminder supplements the diaries with text messages to reassure parents that their children are well and happy. She talks to parents at the beginning and end of each day to exchange useful information about children's progress and general care matters.

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel safe and secure in the care of the childminder in their relaxed body language and in their eagerness to participate in their activities. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confidently choose books to share with the childminder and happily climb onto her knee or snuggle up beside her to look at the pictures and listen to the story. They easily make their wishes known either through pointing or by asking for what they want.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is skilled in managing children's behaviour. She is very relaxed and demonstrates a very good understanding of the needs and feelings of young children who are just beginning to make their wishes and feeling known. She does not raise her voice but at the same time she manages to impress upon children that they have to take turns and play fairly. She keeps the children busy with worthwhile activities so they are not often in disagreement. The children get along together well and they enjoy one another's company. They go to a playgroup where they are sometimes involved in charitable events and activities linked to the wider community including Remembrance Day and Lent.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder cares for children in a clean, well presented environment which is sufficiently spacious and comfortably warm. She ensures that the children take part in energetic play to promote their good health. She liaises with parents effectively about children's individual dietary needs and she makes sure that children only have food and drink that agrees with them. Parents provide most meals for their children which are prepared and served by the childminder in clean surroundings. The childminder's self evaluation refers to hand washing before eating although this is sometimes forgotten before children have their snacks and the snacks do not always include the fresh fruit that the childminder describes.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making very good progress in the development of their speech. The childminder extends their vocabulary through discussions that take place over every activity. She helps children to learn the names of many animals and insects including butterflies, rabbits, zebra and ducks. She also includes the names of sea creatures including starfish, sea horses and dolphins which the children point out excitedly as the pages are turned in story books. They are learning to hold crayons firmly and make marks on paper as they make their earliest attempts at writing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder develops children's knowledge and understanding of positional words and words that describe quantity as children play. They are learning the meaning of words which include in, on, under, over and beside. Children are beginning to know the difference between one and many and the childminder supports their understanding of number in practical ways. Children's learning in early literacy, communication and numeracy together with play with battery operated toys supports the development of their skills for future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's knowledge and understanding of the world is supported well by their exploration of plants and growing things in the garden. They learn about the wider world on their regular outings which include trips to the park and other venues. The childminder provides them with a range of suitable materials to touch and feel. They are learning that glue is sticky and that dough is soft and pliable. Examples of art and craft work demonstrate that children use different media and materials in their creative activities.

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and outcomes for children

In practice the childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each child's stage of learning. She has recently begun a record keeping exercise that maps out where each child is in their learning. This facet of her work is at an early stage and does not yet provide a clear picture of each child's achievements. 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 3 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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