Finlay Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128938 Inspection date 25/03/2011 Inspector Rebecca Hurst

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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 in Forest Hill, Lewisham with her husband, her two adult daughters and her four year old grandchild. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for no more than six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time . She is currently minding six children, three of these are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect the children and attends the local 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

Children are happy and settled because the childminder creates an environment where children are valued and supported to make the most of their abilities. The childminder helps the children to feel comfortable whilst they attend the setting. Warm, positive and trusting relationships enable children to feel safe and secure. The childminder has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement, because she seeks to improve her knowledge and understanding of children's early years through further training opportunities. The childminder's self-evaluation process is currently in its infancy. Learning intentions on the children's written assessments are not recorded as well as their next steps of learning. Currently, risk assessments are not record for outings.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance children's learning experiences by highlighting the learning intentions for their next steps of learning and development  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  develop systems to identify the settings strengths and weaknesses by working with the parents and children to provide positive outcomes for all children . 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 has a good understanding of child protection and how to safeguard the children in her care. All children participate in regular fire drills and are fully aware of what they need to do in an event of an emergency. The childminder currently risk assesses her home. There are missed opportunities to fully enhance the children's safety whilst attending outings and whilst on the school run as these are not fully assessed.

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the early years provision

Resources are arranged and organised, creating an enabling environment for children to play and learn. Children are confident and independent learners because they have easy access to low level furniture and a good range and variety of toys and play materials which support their enjoyment and achievement. Children are taught about the wider world around them and the childminder takes into account the children's backgrounds when planning activities. Children learn about a varied amount of festivals and celebrations from around the world at an age-appropriate level.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares all of her information with the parents and works well with local schools and nursery's the children attend. The childminder has recently started to evaluate her setting. She is able to highlight her key strengths in her provision and the areas she wishes to improve. However, there are missed opportunities to fully involve the parents and the older children with the evaluation process, as this currently does not take place. The childminder keeps herself up to date with her knowledge and understanding of childcare practices by attending training courses. This information is passed onto the children through the well planned activities and care that is provided.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily explore and experiment, using a good range of different materials and resources, in a supportive and caring environment. This helps the children to confidently practise and acquire new skills. The childminder works with the children's interests in planning new activities for them to progress with their development. Children show they feel safe through confidently making choices, helping themselves to toys and readily approaching the childminder should they need help.

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and outcomes for children

Steps taken to safeguard children include child protection and fire evacuation procedures, close and supportive supervision, for example, moving from room to room. The childminder also ensures the children are fully aware of the reasons why they need to tidy away toys after they have used them, and the correct way in which to play with them. This keeps the children safe whilst they play. Children thoroughly enjoy participating in art and craft activities and the childminder openly encourages the children to write their own names on their work. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 also encourages the children to count in their home language and teaches the other children the numbers as well. This builds the children's self esteem and also teaches the other children new language skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder completes written observational assessments on all of the children in her care and she uses this information and the children's own interests in planning activities to enhance their learning and development. There are missed opportunities to fully enhance the children's development, as the learning intentions for the children's next steps of learning is not currently in place. Children thoroughly enjoy learning about the environment and the world around, through well thought out and meaningful activities. Children regularly visit the Horniman museum to learn about natural history and the world around them at a level they can understand. This makes the learning fun for the children.

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and outcomes for children

The children thrive as they have freshly prepared meals with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder works very well with the parents to ensure the children's dietary requirements are fully met with the meals being provided. Children have access to their own beakers of drink throughout their time at the childminder's home. As a result, they are able to stay hydrated. Children are thoroughly protected from cross contamination and infection due to the good hygiene procedures that are in place. This greatly promotes their health and welfare. The childminder is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and given the children's ages and stages of development, they are well behaved. 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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