Chew Magna Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 146979 Inspection date 17/03/2011 Inspector Jill Nugent

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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 1995. She lives and works with her husband who is also a registered childminder. They live with one of their adult children in a house in Barnet. Access to the house is at ground level directly from the driveway. The whole of the house is used for childminding, although children have use of a dedicated play space on the ground floor. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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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. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight when working alone, and when working with her co- childminder, eleven children under eight, of whom six may be in the early years age group. Currently there are 20 children on roll, of whom 11 are in the early years age group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works jointly with her co-childminder sharing responsibility for all aspects of the high quality childcare on offer. Children benefit from a caring and inclusive environment where they make significant progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder prioritises children's well-being and ensures that all individual needs are met effectively. There are excellent partnerships with parents and other professionals which contribute to children with special educational needs receiving exceptional support. The childminder continually looks for ways to further improve the outcomes for all children in her care.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 look at different ways of using the garden to offer learning experiences throughout the year.

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the early years provision

The childminder's documentation is readily available and includes an attractive brochure for parents explaining clearly how the childcare provision is organised. The childminder has effective procedures in place to ensure that children are safeguarded in the setting. She carries out regular risk assessments and safety checks so that children keep safe in her care. Children's medical records are well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maintained. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and first-hand experience of dealing with safeguarding concerns.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her co-childminder are extremely effective in the use of their home environment, designating the ground floor rooms to childcare so that children have a wide range of resources and activities from which to choose. Children benefit from the opportunity to interact with either childminder, as well as other children in the group. They feel valued as individuals because the childminder and her co-childminder are committed to ensuring that all children are happy and making progress. There have been recent innovations to the garden to extend the variety of play opportunities available to children. The childminder is keen to look at ways of offering a wider range of outdoor learning experiences in the garden throughout the year.

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the early years provision

The childminder works alongside parents to ensure that all children receive appropriate care and education. She makes home visits prior to children starting in the setting and follows these up with a continual exchange of information which reassures parents and involves them in their children's learning. Parents are able to view the weekly planning and appreciate the variety of stimulating activities on offer to their children. Both childminders are involved in partnership working with other providers and professionals. Their attention to detail, commitment to continuity of care and flexible arrangements contribute to ensuring that children with special educational needs receive exceptional support at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder liaises with her co-childminder in a process of effective self- evaluation. In this way the childminder is able to recognise her strengths and consider which aspects of the provision might benefit from further improvement. The childminder is an active member of her local network and develops her own practice through accessing training events, for example, courses in health and safety or special educational needs. Both childminders are very aware of children's differing developmental needs and are keen to maintain a high quality childcare practice. Since the previous inspection their planning has been reviewed and photographs are now in use to offer better feedback to parents. The childminder and her co-childminder have high expectations of themselves and set realistic targets for their ongoing improvement, for example, the planned development of a new website.

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and outcomes for children

Children's well-being is significantly enhanced through the jointly managed organisation of the provision and, as a result, children are very happy and extremely well looked after. They show much interest in the activities on offer and benefit from the childminder's interaction, for example, as she leads children in singing, shares books or helps to create pictures. Children really enjoy the choice of activities, moving confidently around the setting as they make their selections. They play harmoniously, for example, as they share modelling materials around an activity table. Children often become absorbed in independent exploration, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 instance, arranging figures in a doll's house. Children's self-esteem is boosted through much praise for their efforts and achievements. As a result they become active and creative learners, keen to participate in new learning experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works closely with her co-childminder as they observe individual children's development and determine their next steps of learning so that these can be included in future plans. This system works particularly well in meeting children's needs as progress is meticulously recorded in each learning area, enabling the childminders to move each child on according to their individual needs. Consequently, children who require extra help receive relevant support and those already achieving highly are also extended in their learning. Adult-led activities are very well organised so that they are appropriate for children who are at different stages of development, for example, providing a selection of paper shapes to create pictures of Shamrocks. Children gain significant skills for the future as they are encouraged to develop their writing and problem solving skills or explore technological resources, such as magnets.

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and outcomes for children

Children keep safe and healthy in the setting as the childminder and her co- childminder share supervision, ensuring that children feel secure in their care and that their needs are fully met. The childminder encourages a good awareness of personal safety, for example, explaining why children must stay seated when eating food. She carefully explains rules so that children are aware of their boundaries and learn to respect the needs of others. Children develop very close relationships with both childminders and show a caring attitude towards other children in the group, for example, helping each other out at mealtimes. The childminder is especially well organised regarding the provision of food, carefully preparing it beforehand so that children are not kept waiting. Children's individual dietary needs are well catered for in the planning of the menu and they enjoy a variety of healthy foods. Children also benefit from opportunities for outdoor play

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and outcomes for children

in the garden, where they especially like the new climbing equipment, and visits to local parks. 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 1 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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