The Aylesbury Vale Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 135879 Inspection date 14/03/2011 Inspector Samantha Smith

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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 1996. She lives with her husband and adult son near Enfield Town within the London borough of Enfield. She is registered on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently six children on roll. Of these, three are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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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

Children are happy and well settled and their needs are generally well met by the childminder. She has a sound awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and children are making steady progress in their learning and development. However, observations are not yet used to plan effectively. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of partnership working and has established suitable relationships with parents, although she has yet to establish links with other early years providers that children attend. She shows a positive attitude towards improving her practice and had begun to evaluate her childminding provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop arrangements for observations and assessments so they can be used to assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning experiences tailored to meet children's individual needs  identify children's starting points and involve the parents in their children's learning by seeking their comments and views  develop effective partnerships with other early years' provision that children attend to ensure are consistent and cohesive approach in order to meet children needs more effectively

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the early years provision

The childminder manages her setting reasonably well and arrangements for safeguarding are generally robust. The required records, policies and procedures are in place, implemented well and shared with parents. The environment is safe This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and secure whereby the required risk assessments have been carried out to ensure potential hazards are identified and minimised and further risk assessments are completed for outings. Fire safety is taken into account through the provision of smoke alarms and regular fire drills. The childminder uses local facilities such as the library, parks and toddler groups to compliment the service she provides. The home environment is welcoming and accessible. Resources are appropriately organised to enable children to choose toys independently and initiate their own play. Appropriate adaptions are made to

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the early years provision

accommodate the needs of all the children attending. For example, whilst the older children are playing with toys that are unsuitable for younger children the childminder creates a barrier to prevent younger children gaining access. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding regarding the individual needs of the children attending and generally treats them all with equal concern, although at times the demanding needs of some children impacts on the time she designates to other children. She demonstrates a sound awareness of equality and diversity and providing a selection of resources that depict positive images of diversity in the community. She has made up a picture book for children to look at of people from different cultural backgrounds and of mixed abilities and they enjoy spending time looking at these. Sound partnerships have been formed with parents and there is a regular exchange of information between them. The relevant contracts and written

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the early years provision

agreements are in place and parents are provided with a daily diary keeping them informed of their child's day. However, the childminder does not gather information to assist her in identifying children's starting points. In addition the she has yet to establish communication links with other settings that children attend to promote a more collaborative approach to children's care and learning. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards developing her provision thereby improving outcomes for children. For examples, she recently obtained a grant to develop the outdoor space to enable children safe and easy access, and to provide an area for them to enjoy planting activities. However, further areas for development are not identified to support future improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content within their environment and appropriate procedures and effective hygiene practices contribute towards promoting their good health and well-being. Daily routines support them in developing good an understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, children know they have to wash their hands after using the toilet and are encouraged to wash them at other times throughout the day. Older children are able to assist their personal needs, although sometimes they need a little encouragement to do this independently. Children's safety is suitably promoted. Children take part in regular emergency evacuation practices, which are recorded. Suitable procedures are in place for dealing with accident and for administering medication and the childminder has kept her knowledge of first aid up-to-date. Observations and assessments on children are regularly completed and generally reflect the six areas of learning. However, it is unclear just how much progress

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are making. There is no information on starting points nor is it clear how observations are used to identify future learning priorities in order to support children's individual interests or learning needs. Children are supported in developing their mathematical skills through daily routines and whilst engaged in free play activities. For example, the childminder encourages an older child to count the number of legs on a spider that he has drawn. As they explore new construction toys she encourages them to think about colours. Children are developing an awareness of the natural environment through planting activities and through exploring nature and living creatures. They especially enjoy looking at spiders and the childminder encourages their interest through reference books and pictures. Children's communication skills are

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and outcomes for children

promoted through the positive interactions that they share with the childminder. There is a good flow of conversation and children regularly ask questions to which the childminder responds appropriately. They show a keen interest in books and enjoy revisiting familiar stories. Physical development is supported through outdoor activities. They have daily opportunities to use the back garden where there are various wheeled toys available. Babies are provided with appropriate support in developing relationships with others. Early social interactions are encouraged through regular visits to toddler groups and through visits with other childminders. Their emotional health and well- being is promoted through the positive interactions that they share with the childminder and they are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. The childminder acknowledges children's achievements through regular praise and

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and outcomes for children

encouragement which contributes towards their self-esteem and confidence. This promotes positive behaviour. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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