Focus School - Cheshunt Primary Campus

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 135553 Inspection date 08/03/2011 Inspector Catherine Greene

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband two adult daughters in the Edmonton area of London. Rooms of the house on the ground floor of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early years, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 settle well in the homely environment provided by the childminder. Effective relationships have been established with parents and partners in children's education in order that children's individual needs are known and provided for. A range of written policies and procedures are shared with parents and risk assessments have been devised which ensure that hazards are removed. A generally clear evaluation of the service ensures the childminder has a consistent approach to continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop partnership with parents to ensure that children are provided with a range of healthy packed lunches and snacks  increase opportunities for babies to explore a range of natural materials to support their sensory development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is confident and has a good understanding of how to work appropriately with issues of child protection. She has attended recent training and demonstrates a good understanding of what to do if she is concerned about any of the children attending. Well thought out policies and procedures, which are read and signed by children's parents, ensure everyone is clear about the childminder's aims. Attention to risk assessments means the childminder is able to identify any potential hazards and good safety measures have been put in place in the setting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and when on the route to their daily outings. Children have lots of space to explore the play materials, and independently select items of their choice. There is a range of resources and equipment in the living room with many more stored in the sleep room.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is given good attention and parents are fully included in the childminder's aims. This allows her to get to know the children very well and helps to support children's contribution and future progress. The childminder is sensitive to the individual needs of families using her service and will make every effort to accommodate them. Good daily routines help the children settle and give particular strength to children's experiences and participation in drop in group and social activities helping them develop a range of skills for the future. Those who may have additional needs and languages are very well supported in partnership with parents who offer key information and words in their home language. They are further supported by the childminder and her family who are skilled at speaking additional language.

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the early years provision

Resources are easily accessed and through her own self evaluation the childminder has identified exciting plans to add to the resources specifically for babies to add more that are made of natural materials. The childminder demonstrates a good level of ambition in her efforts to continuously improve the service. She is supported by clear aims to seek ongoing training and guidance in partnership with the local authority childminding advisor.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and happily settled, the childminder's good nurturing skills help them feel safe, secure and valued. Children's self-esteem is supported, because the childminder is aware of and responds very well to children's emotional needs, as a result their behaviour is very good.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn through play. Activities are planned and organised in advance. Babies are provided with a range of experiences, including creative and physical play. They are supported well and encouraged to explore and make choices about what they want to play with. They comfortably explore the environment and available toys whilst being reassured by the childminder who stays close offering encouragement during play. The warm and welcoming approach of the childminder and her family helps the children to settle quickly and they present as content and happy in the routine provided.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well and demonstrate increasing independence as they choose toys and interactive puzzles to sing their favourite songs and learn about colour and numbers. They explore a range of books, enjoy the repetition of familiar rhymes and clap their hands along to familiar rhythms. They enjoy and benefit from imaginary play such as with the home corner resources and they regularly visit the park and local playgroups. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder knows the children well and speaks knowledgeably about their skills and physical and personal needs. Written observations of the children's achievements enable the childminder to chart the children's progress in the six areas of learning. Information gained from observations is mostly used to chart the children's next steps. Photographs and discussions with children's parents support

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and outcomes for children

this area well; this allows parents to see visual examples of their children's play and their progress in learning. Systems to enable parents to contribute to their children's learning record are just being introduced, although they are fully involved and contribute during celebrations that acknowledge and teach children about diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Parents work closely in partnership and always keep the childminder informed of any specific requirements for their child. However, although the childminder is very aware that children should eat healthy and nutritious food she has not yet fully shared this with all her parents. References from past and present parents demonstrate that they are very happy with the care and experiences their children receive. 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 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 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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