Charter Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 148533 Inspection date 26/04/2011 Inspector Lynne Lewington

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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 registered in 1993. She lives with her family in Woodley, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parents/carers' group. The family has a dog.

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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 safe, happy and confident in this relaxed comfortable environment. They are progressing very well in most aspects of their learning because the childminder plans suitable activities and experiences to promote this. The childminder forms positive relationships with parents enabling good quality information to be shared and the children's individual needs to be met appropriately. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of her strengths and areas for development and is seeking opportunities to extend her knowledge, indicating the service offered will continue to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular fire drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  provide more opportunities for independent mark making and easier access to children's books

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of safeguarding. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the action she would take if she was concerned about a child in her care. Children are closely supervised both in the home and on outings in order to promote their safety. Appropriate checks are in place for all members of the household to ensure they are suitable to be in contact with the children. The premises are clean and well maintained, providing a safe and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attractive environment for the children. The childminder considers the children's ongoing development frequently ensuring that appropriate safety measures are in place and this helps to inform her risk assessment of the setting. For example, a stair gate is in place at the bottom of the stairs, doors are locked and children are supervised closely in the garden. Children can access many toys in low level

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the early years provision

cupboards enabling them to make independent choices in their play.

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the early years provision

Parents provide information about their children enabling the childminder to have a good understanding of their individual needs, likes, dislikes, diet and sleep routines. Ongoing two-way communication and close partnership working with parents enables the childminder to meet the children's needs well and to ensure that children benefit from the time in her care. Parents' written comments about the childminder's service reflect their high levels of confidence in her abilities to offer the children warm nurturing care in a homely welcoming environment. The childminder has a folder of important information about the service she offers including her certificates of insurance, first aid and policies which she shares with parents helping them to understand about the service she provides. She welcomes parents and shares information with them face-to-face on a daily basis. The childminder also shares her written observations and photographs of the children

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the early years provision

at play enabling parents to have a good understanding of what their children do in her care. Babies have a daily diary which ensures parents are well informed about nappy changes, feeds, sleep and activities the child experiences.

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the early years provision

Information is shared informally with the nursery that children attend ensuring that everyone involved with a child is working together to meet the child's needs appropriately. The childminder meets with other childminders and their young children at local children's activities and parks enabling them to share practice ideas and information and also give children positive social experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively plans activities and provides additional support, as required to ensure all children are fully included and achieve well..Books that the childminder shares with the children provide positive images of a diverse society and the childminder also ensures the children have many outings where they have opportunities to meet different people. This encourages the children to learn to accept and respect people's differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of her strengths particularly her ability to provide the children with a homely environment where they can freely use the space around them to enjoy their play. She recognises the importance of outdoor play and makes good use of local parks and her attractive garden. There are aspects of her knowledge that she would like to improve and refresh and is actively seeking opportunities to undertake short training courses and workshops in order to do this. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a good range of activities and experiences to support children's all-round learning and development and to help them to gain skills for the future. As a result children are progressing very well in most aspects of their learning and are enthusiastic in what they do. Children develop their awareness of safe behaviours through gentle reminders, guidance and experience. They move confidently throughout the ground floor of the property using all the space available to them. They negotiate the small steps independently with care and demonstrate a high level of confidence using the play equipment in the garden. The childminder recognises the importance of enabling the children to play, explore and learn through their experiences. For example, a child experiments with a small chair making an additional step to the steps on the slide, demonstrating his creativity and increasing physical skills, and also an awareness of the need to keep

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and outcomes for children

themselves safe. Children learn the importance of sitting securely in their car seats in the car. The childminder has an evacuation plan; however, this has not been practised with the children to ensure the premises could be swiftly evacuated in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy good daily opportunities to play in the fresh air and natural light in the garden or local parks, where they can run and use the play equipment to develop their physical skills. Outdoor play provides good opportunities for the children to develop the use of their senses and their sense of well-being. Sensible measures are in place to prevent the spread of germs. Nappies are changed on a changing mat which is cleaned after use and the wrapped nappies are disposed of immediately. Children are encouraged to wash their hands and use separate small flannels to dry them minimising the risk of cross contamination. Parents provide all the meals for the children. These are stored appropriately to ensure they remain fresh. Children have easy access to drinks of water which they use frequently ensuring they do not become dehydrated.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate increasing fine physical skills as they join together train track pieces; the childminder assists, listens and comments on the track they are making. Sorting and matching skills develop as the children select pieces from the construction set to make the track and trucks to go on it. The children have a selection of age-appropriate books although these are not always stored to enable the children to have easy access to them. An older child however, knows how to reach a book and selects a book before sitting down on the floor to enjoy the familiar pictures. The childminder watches and listens to the children attentively and responds warmly to their requests for assistance. A baby seeks a reassuring cuddle frequently; the childminder responds enabling the baby to watch the older children from the comfort of her lap. The play environment provides space for babies to crawl and also space for the older children to play independently with

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and outcomes for children

toys not suitable for the baby. The childminder listens and responds appropriately modelling language to the children. Children undertake a variety of planned creative activities including drawing, painting and dough play although they do not have easy access to mark-making materials to encourage early writing skills. A recent cake making activity provided opportunities to develop skills in all areas of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning as they measured and learned the names of ingredients, broke eggs and stirred the mixture, and then saw the difference when it was cooked. They later enjoyed the creative opportunity to decorate the cakes and take one home to share.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is calm and gentle in her manner with the children. She listens attentively and sits at their level to help if required. She has clear expectations of their behaviour and understands the importance of being consistent to enable the children to learn to behave appropriately. Good manners are encouraged and children learn through gentle reminders and the childminder's good example to be kind and to share as they play. 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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