Seathorne Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 147412 Inspection date 16/03/2011 Inspector Christine Bonnett

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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 1989. She lives with her husband in Burnt Oak in the London Borough of Barnet. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, all whom, three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog and cat as pets.

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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 respects each child as an individual, and works effectively with parents to ensure their needs are met. She has a good understanding of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and generally supports children to make good progress in all areas. Children's understanding of diversity within society is also generally fostered. The childminder demonstrates that she has the capacity for continuous improvement and has begun to self-evaluate her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with opportunities to learn about and experience the diversity of society beyond the setting  enable children to routinely access programmable toys in order to enable them to develop the skills required in the future to operate information and communication technology.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her duties and responsibilities relating to safeguarding the welfare of children. She knows the indicators of abuse, and has up-to-date contact details from her local authority to follow to report concerns. The childminder is safety conscious and has risk assessments in place that identify all potential hazards in her home and garden and how they are managed to prevent danger to children. Her detailed risk assessment of outings to the shops and park include street maps of the exact route she follows. All documents and records This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 required for the efficient management of her practice are maintained. Children learn how to help keep themselves safe as they participate in emergency evacuation drills from the home. The childminder uses an artificial fire which she places around her home to indicate where the hazard is located. This enables

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the early years provision

children to learn to consider the risks for themselves to avoid potential danger. Children also learn how and where to cross roads safely.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of continuously developing her practice for the benefit of the children, and has also begun to self-evaluate her work. She enjoys attending courses and workshops to develop her skills. Recently she attended a range of courses including 'Living with Asperger's Syndrome' and 'What's in a Story, helping children to learn and read'. The childminder has implemented the recommendations made at the last inspection; these include reviewing her menus in order to provide more nutritional food for children and obtaining permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment for their child. The action taken in both cases has improved outcomes for children. Having reflected on her practice, the childminder has plans to reorganise the growing and play areas in the garden to enable children to enjoy a wider range of activities during the warm weather.

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the early years provision

The effective working relationship the childminder establishes with parents ensures that the individual needs of each child are met. Before a child joins her care, the childminder obtains a wealth of relevant information from the parents to ensure that the care she gives is appropriate and consistent. She also understands the importance of working alongside parents to manage any difficult issue together, such as encouraging children to eat. The childminder maintains a daily diary so that she can accurately relay to the parents how their child has spent the day. Informal meeting are held periodically with them in order to discuss the child's progress in more detail and show the parents their child's development file. The childminder is also aware for the importance of forming effective partnerships with other parties offering support and education to children in order to establish a coherent approach to their development.

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the early years provision

Children have sufficient space in which to explore the play materials. Most of the resources are stored in boxes on shelving units. The childminder has recently reorganised her room to enable children to access them more easily. All the toys and furniture are clean and in good condition, which contributes towards the sustainability of the setting. The childminder has some resources that reflect diversity, and the children socialise with others at pre-school groups. However, the childminder does not actively talk to the children about all aspects of diversity within society in order to develop their understanding and respect for people different from themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. The range of resources and planned activities enables them to make good progress in their learning. At the beginning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of an arrangement, the childminder asks the parents about all aspects of their child's development. She uses this information, along with her initial observations, to determine the child's starting point towards the early learning goals. Observations continue to be done and linked to each of the six areas of learning. This enables the childminder to continuously assess the child's progress and plan the next step in their individual learning journey. Each child has a book containing the observations, photographs to show the activities they have done and examples of their work. The books clearly show the developmental progress of each child. Mark-making materials are used by the children and help to promote their pre-

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and outcomes for children

writing skills. The children eagerly help themselves to books and enjoy sitting on the sofa with the childminder for a story. They count the beakers as they stack them and the pictures in the book in order to learn reasoning and numeracy. Although the childminder has a toy phone and another programmable toy, they are not readily accessible for the children to use at all times. Consequently, they have limited opportunity to develop the skills they will need in the future to operate information and communication technology.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to adopt healthy lifestyles. They run around in the back garden and regularly visit the local park to have fun on the climbing frame. Another favourite outing is walking to the nearby bridge and waving to the trains as they pass by. Children also spend time in the back garden learning how to grow vegetables. They sow carrot seeds, water and nurture them, and then take pleasure in harvesting and eating them. This project supports children's understanding of eating healthily and how to care for living thing. As well as enjoying eating the fresh vegetables, the children are offered a variety of fruit at snack time. They learn that they have to sit down to eat their snack and drink their water or juice. They also know that before eating they wash their hands to prevent the risk of cross infection. The childminder's sickness policy, which excludes children who are ill, also helps to prevent the spread of infection between children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and generally play well together. Any squabbles are managed effectively by the childminder using age appropriate and positive methods, such as distraction. Children learn the rules to help keep them safe and to create a harmonious environment for everyone. These include not jumping on the furniture and not pulling the dog's tail. Through understanding what is expected of them, children develop a sense of security and belonging. Warm care is given to them by the childminder, and they demonstrate that they feel safe with her as they enjoy her interaction with them as they play, and confidently express their needs. 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 3 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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