Spring Vale Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104330 Inspection date 14/04/2011 Inspector Brenda Flewitt

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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 partner and adult child, in a house on the outskirts of Salcombe Regis village, Devon. The children have the use of a sitting room, conservatory, kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor. Sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden at the front of the house for outside play. The family have a dog and two cats, to which the children have supervised access.

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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. A maximum of six children may attend at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, of who five are in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, the Devon Childminding Association and a local childminding group.

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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 well cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming family home. The childminder promotes excellent relationships with parents and other providers, which results in her knowing the children well as individuals. Children are involved in a broad range of activities, both inside and out, that helps them make good progress in their learning and development. Overall, the childminder reviews her provision successfully to identify areas for development and updates her own knowledge to improve children's experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the storage arrangements for toys and resources to improve children's ability to select spontaneously from a full range and extend their own play and learning  clarify the details in the complaints procedure to accurately reflect the provider's responsibility in managing complaints.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder implements clear policies and procedures to promote children's welfare and safety. She has a good understanding of safeguarding children, which includes recognising signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow if there are concerns. She keeps her knowledge up to date through training, and records existing injuries as routine. All this helps to protect children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from harm. The childminder carries out detailed risk assessments to provide a safe environment for children to play, both in the home and when on outings. All records are extremely well organised, completed accurately and stored confidentially.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder organises her home well to meet the needs of each child in her care. Children use suitable toys and resources according to their age and stage of development. However, they cannot always easily access a full range to select spontaneously to extend their own play and learning. The childminder makes good use of local facilities to enhance children's learning. Children's days include a variety of outings where they meet other people, use an extended range of equipment and resources and learn about their local environment. For example, regular visits to a toddler group promote children's social skills as they play with children of a similar age. Outings to venues such as animal centres promote children's curiosity in the natural world. They start to develop an open attitude to people's differences through the good example set by the childminder as a result of using various resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes excellent partnerships with parents and other providers. She supplies comprehensive information about the setting by way of written policies and procedures, and regular newsletters. However, the complaints procedure does not accurately detail the provider's responsibility. The childminder offers daily opportunities for verbal discussion about each child's day in order to meet individual needs. She enhances this with a two-way daily diary, which records aspects such as food, activities and children's general well-being. The childminder actively seeks parents' views, and values their contributions in order to improve her provision. Children benefit from the childminder's regular contact with other childminders. They develop friendships, and in the case of their childminder being unavailable, are cared for by a familiar adult. The childminder has established effective dialogue with other settings that children attend to share

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the early years provision

information to promote their overall development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has addressed the recommendation set at the last inspection, which has improved aspects of children's safety. The childminder uses various methods to help her identify ways to improve her provision, which include completing a self-evaluation document and seeking feedback from parents. She is pro-active in keeping up to date with changes and developing her knowledge. For example, the childminder is in the process of making the rear garden safe to improve children's outdoor play opportunities. She is committed to developing her own knowledge through research, reading and training to continuously improve children's experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure in the care of their childminder. Young children quickly settle and feel comfortable in the welcoming home environment. They make good relationships with the childminder and one another. They develop a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strong sense of belonging. For example, they are made to feel special on their birthday by way of party celebrations with their friends. They are involved in activities that help them understand the importance of showing people they care, such as making cards for mothers' day. Children behave well. They get to know what to expect through familiar routines and consistent expectations. Babies start to understand the boundaries that keep them safe through gentle reminders. Children receive regular praise and encouragement for effort and achievement, which helps boost their self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans a broad range of experiences for children, inside and out so that they learn through play and everyday activities. Children start to become aware of number, colour and shape as the childminder joins in their play. Activities such as cooking promote children's understanding in various areas. For example, they count, sort and weigh ingredients, identifying numerals on digital scales. They are aware of the importance of using text for information as they look at recipe instructions, and observe changes in the ingredients as they are mixed and heated. The childminder's positive interaction includes describing what they are doing, counting, naming objects and actions, which all help children develop vocabulary and an understanding of the world around them. The childminder makes detailed observations of children's interests and achievements, which she uses successfully to assess their stage of development and plan support for the next steps in their

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They learn good procedures for personal hygiene. Children make choices about what they eat from healthy options prepared at home or by the childminder. Children enjoy daily fresh air and exercise by way of garden play or local walks. They use large equipment such as swings and slides to develop large muscle skills. Children learn about aspects of their own safety when they are out, for example, safe routines for crossing roads and sensible ways to use large play equipment. In the home, children learn to use real tools safety, for example, during woodwork when making a present for parents. The childminder has a clear procedure for emergency evacuation from the home, which she practises with the children so that they know what to expect. 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 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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