Harlow Green Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131077 Inspection date 04/04/2011 Inspector Shan Jones

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children in the Nevill Road area of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group. Children attend different times of the week.

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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. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-school to take and collect children. The family has pet goldfish.

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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 cared for in a highly inclusive environment where the uniqueness of each child is met. She provides challenging activities that are well organised to enable all children to take part. Effective partnerships with parents are established which means they are well informed of the care their children are receiving. Overall all of the required documentation is in place. The childminders self- evaluation is currently in its infancy. She does understand the importance of evaluating the provision to improve the services she provides to the children and to the parents

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of evacuation drills in the fire log book, which includes details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children

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the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is promoted well because of the effective procedures in place. For example, there is written permission from parents to take children on outings and to seek emergency medical advice and treatment. The risk assessment covers all aspects of the childminders home both inside and out. She carries this This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out on a regular basis and includes thorough assessments of all the outings the childminder takes children on. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the indicators of child abuse and the procedure to follow to report concerns. This means that children's safety is promoted to a good standard.

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the early years provision

All children have a real sense of belonging, due to the childminder's extremely warm and caring nature. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. The childminders knowledge and skill helps to provide children with a good range of activities which encourages them to become clear and critical thinkers and to extend their learning. There is positive imagery within play resources to enable children to gain a wider understanding of the world and to embrace differences. The childminder values and supports children's home language by using key words from home and by introducing bilingual books and music tapes. She is fluent in Spanish and this benefits all children. In addition she has begun to use simple sign language with the children to aid their communication skills further.

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the early years provision

Parents are involved in their child's learning and are informed of progress and achievements; photographs and links to the early learning goals show each child's progress. The childminder values the role of parents and continually encourages them to share what they know about their child. Their parents are able to leave them, confident they are safe and nurtured. There are no other professionals involved in the children's care at present. Through discussion the childminder explains that she has worked closely with pre-school staff and teacher in the past. This demonstrates a positive attitude to forging links when they start pre-school. The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to maintaining good quality within her setting. However, her use of self-evaluation to identify areas for development is limited and not yet fully established.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a very relaxing environment where they receive a high level of attention to help them feel special. They have fun together and form trusting relationships and respond positively to the childminder's enthusiasm. Personal, social emotional development is strong, children are happy and settled. Their independence is promoted effectively as opportunities for them to choose and select resources are very good because storage is well organised in the playrooms. Children play cooperatively and they are learning to share and take turns. They develop social skills at parent and toddler groups and develop physical skills at home and at the park because they have access to age appropriate climbing, balancing and riding equipment. Children have tremendous fun as they move imaginatively to music. They smile broadly during play as they shake, bang and blow instruments and listen carefully to correctly identify the sounds of the

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and outcomes for children

different instruments. Communication skills are developed well, as children are encouraged from a very young age to talk about what they are doing and their experiences. Children develop good manipulative skills as they play with a variety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of resources that are appropriate for different ages and stages of development. They make marks with pencils, crayons, pens, chalks and paint. Children enjoy looking at books and choose favourite stories for the childminder to read. They learn about the world around them when they watch the birds in the garden and the park. The childminder has created a detailed reference book so children can learn about plants in the garden and their uses. Each day they take part in activities which keep them active. For example, they enjoy trips to the park, toddler groups and playing in the garden. This means they exercise regularly and

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and outcomes for children

The childminder develops their sense of personal safety by teaching them practical skills such as how to get in and out of the car safely and to be cautious when managing the steps leading to her garden. Regular fire evacuation procedures are discussed and practiced with the children. However, these records do not identify any problems encountered and how they were resolved in order to review and monitor their effectiveness. Children show a good understanding of the importance of following good personal hygiene routines. They know they must wash their hands before they eat and brush their teeth after lunch. Clear procedures, such as paper towels and good hygiene routines, reduce the risk of cross infection amongst the children. Children thoroughly understand how to lead a healthy life as they enjoy a range of healthy foods and drinks everyday. Every meal is home cooked using fresh produce; the childminder ensures there is a varied selection on the

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and outcomes for children

menu and children relish meal and snack times. Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care, as is evident through their continual smiles, laughter and chatter as they play and they respond very positively to the childminder's kind, caring and calm manner. 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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