Epping Forest High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128906 Inspection date 09/02/2011 Inspector Pamela Paisley

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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 1994. She is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and two adult children in Brockley within the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding four children on a part-time basis in the early years age range. She also cares for children aged over five years to eight years.

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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

The childminder provides a welcoming environment where children are making good progress in their learning. Children are able to participate fully because activities are thoughtfully adapted to meet their individual needs. The childminder makes good use of her time and resources to support children's development and overall uses systems for observations and assessments reasonably well to plan for children's next steps of learning. The childminder has effectively addressed all recommendations from her last inspection to maintain continuous improvement. Self-evaluation systems to identify key strengths and areas for improvement are developing but are not yet fully established. The childminder is strongly committed to inclusion and enthusiastic about undertaking relevant training to further improve the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of how to link activities to the early learning goals  develop systems for self-evaluation in order to monitor and evaluate children's welfare, learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children in her care. The childminder has made improvements to the service she provides. Since the last inspection she has improved her child protection knowledge and all potential This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hazards in her home are assessed to ensure children's safety at all times. The childminder carries out rigorous risk assessments which are regularly reviewed to maintain children's safety within her home. Appropriate safety equipment is used according to the age and needs of the children attending. The childminder has a well established partnership with parents, which ensures each child's needs are met. She speaks to parents at the end of each day and informs them of their child's day. She will often give advice and reassures them when they are worried

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the early years provision

about their children. The childminder talks to parents about what their children have enjoyed doing and they are encouraged to incorporate activities at home. The childminder has strong links with other early years provision where children attend. Information is regularly shared and used to promote children's achievements and well-being. The childminder's home is well organised so that children have easy access to a wide range of stimulating resources offering different activities to extend their play and develop their independence. The childminder has started to evaluate her provision, although systems are not yet fully in place. She is committed to making further improvements through attending further training to enhance her childcare knowledge. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and promotes inclusion for all children through keeping thorough records of each child's individual needs and all aspects

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the early years provision

of their progress. The childminder maintains well documented records, policies and procedures that underpin the service she provides. They are regularly updated and shared and discussed with parents.

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and outcomes for children

The chilminder plans activities in advance and incorporates both indoor and outdoor activities so that children experience a wide range of different types of play. She provides a stimulating learning environment that helps children to progress well towards their learning and development. The childminder has began to make observations and assessments to help her plan for children's next steps of learning but is not yet fully secure in her knowledge of how to link activities to the early learning goals. Indoor and outdoor space within the childminder's home is organised effectively, creating a child-friendly environment which enables children to explore and take risks while being appropriately supervised. Children take part in regular evacuation drills to help them learn about keeping themselves safe. Children have good understanding about road safety through regular discussions with the childminder, who also uses books to reinforce safety when on outings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has clear procedures in place to protect children from the risk of cross infection, and children are learning the importance of good hygiene practice through their daily routine and gentle reminders from the childminder about washing their hands at appropriate times. Children have great fun dressing up and taking part in role play. They enjoy a good variety of messy play activities such as water, sand, modelling materials, arts and crafts and painting. Children benefit from visits to toddler groups, music sessions and the library where they can socialise with other children of a similar age. The childminder makes sure that children are not bored or frustrated, but are busy and contented. She ensures that children understand the need to share and how being kind to each other prevents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children from being hurt.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming independent and often make their own choices about play materials and activities. Children are beginning to learn mathematical concepts through shape sorting, completing puzzles counting stairs as they go up and down them and how many cars they can see while on outings. Children have regular access to a computer and programmable toys to support their learning and enjoy building with a wide range of construction materials. Children are developing a good understanding about living things through growing bulbs for mother's day presents. They have good opportunities to learn about each others cultures through discussions with the childminder who encourages them to bring items to share that represent their own culture. Children recently celebrated Chinese New Year and were able to eat Chinese food and make lanterns. Children play with a good range of play materials and resources that increase their understanding of

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and outcomes for children

diversity. They are learning how to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink as the childminder encourages them to choose foods that they think are healthy. Children visit the local market every week to choose different fruits and vegetables for snacks and meals. They regularly go to parks and take their own scooters to ride and play ball games, use slides and climbing frames which contribute to promoting their large motor skills. They also visit leisure centres where they can take part in sports sessions and have opportunities to play cricket, balance on cones and crawl through tunnels. 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 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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