St Lawrence Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 141347 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Maxine Coulson

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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. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and one adult son in a three bedroom semi detached house in Bradwell, close to the centre of Milton Keynes. Childminding takes place on the whole of the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for the children's outside play. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, parks, pre-school, and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of 8 years. She currently has six children on roll off these, three are in the early years age range and one is over the age of 8 years. Children attend for various days and sessions.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder establishes positive relationships with children and cares for them in an inclusive environment, providing appropriate facilities and resources for children so they make suitable progress in their learning and development. She is beginning to develop her understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and to make sensitive observations of the children's play. The childminder has started to look at her childcare practices; however, she currently lacks the understanding of how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of her provision and to make the changes that help maintain continuous improvement. .

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations to assess and identify children's learning priorities and plan relevant learning experiences for each child in line with their achievements, interests and learning styles  update knowledge of safeguarding children issues and procedures and obtain publication 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused -summary' to be able to follow the guidance set out in it.  evaluate and monitor all areas of practice to identify areas for development and act upon this information to maintain continuous improvement to help improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Appropriate steps are taken by the childminder to ensure that the children in her care are suitably safeguarded. Although she has a basic understanding of child protection issues and knows the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect, the childminder does not have the publication 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused - summary' and is therefore unable to follow the guidelines set out in it should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. Children are further safeguarded as all household members are appropriately vetted and visitors to the setting are always supervised.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good level of supervision that they receive and the childminder takes reasonable precautions to keep them safe, both within the home environment and on outings. There are good written risk assessments in place and include all aspects of the environment, both on and off the premises. The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment throughout the house and has evacuation procedures in place. These procedures are practised with the children to help them understand what they need to do in the event of an emergency and help develop their awareness of staying safe.

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the early years provision

Documentation which is required for the promotion of children's health, safety and welfare and the management of the provision is in place. The childminder develops good relationships with the parents which means they work in partnership in meeting the children's individual care and learning needs. During daily discussions with the childminder, parents share their knowledge of their children and she uses this verbal information to meet the needs of each child. The childminder understands the importance of building links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for the children to establish appropriate links in order to promote consistency of care and learning. The childminder promotes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and treats children with equal concern and respect. She has started some initial self-evaluation, although, currently it does not clearly identify priorities for development and how these will

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy in the childminder's home. They are kept busy and have fun as they play. The childminder supports learning and development appropriately by providing toys and resources that reflect children's interests. Children are developing their independence as they make choices about what they wish to play with and are confident to request other toys to play with. Their confidence and self-esteem is boosted as they receive frequent praise for their achievements. Children's language and mathematical knowledge is suitably promoted as the childminder spends a lot of time talking to them and she actively engages herself in their play. For example, children snuggle up to the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with books and they are encouraged to identify and count items in the books as the childminder supports and guides their counting up to ten and beyond.

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and outcomes for children

Outings are also used to develop children's social and physical skills and enhance their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. For example, children visit local groups and the library. Regular visits are made to nearby parks and every day walks mean children have regular exercise and take part in energetic play. The varied activities ensure that children learn and make sound progress in their all round development. The childminder has started making observations of children's progress, however, these observations are yet to be used to link to the Early Years Foundation Stage or detail individual assessments to plan the next steps in children's learning. Consequently, learning experiences are not yet planned to ensure that children achieve as much as they can.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn appropriately about staying healthy because the childminder follows established health and hygiene routines. They bring their own lunch boxes and are encouraged to eat healthy food as well as the 'treats'. Drinks are available throughout the day to prevent children from becoming thirsty. Children are generally well behaved. They learn about the need for responsible and safe behaviour and the childminder explains about danger and possible consequences. The childminder encourages children to gain respect for people's differences and use play equipment that portrays positive images of diversity and mix with other children at toddler groups. Consequently, children develop a helpful attitude towards each other, form friendly relationships and acquire positive dispositions towards learning the skills they need for the future. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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