William Levick Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 112541 Inspection date 13/05/2011 Inspector Penny Wood

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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 1989. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Anna Valley, near Andover, Hampshire. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to walk and drive to local schools and pre-schools. The family have a dog and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom, three may be in the early years age group. She currently has three children on roll aged between 10 months and two years old. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years old. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory 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 participate in a good range of activities, which generally promote their learning and development well. They are gaining confidence and play well alongside each other. The childminder promotes an inclusive environment and shares her time well between those present. Good strategies enable the childminder to meet children's individual needs. She has developed strong partnerships with parents and ensures they are well-informed. Most of the legal requirements are met and the childminder has taken positive steps to address the issues that were raised at the last inspection.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 put systems in place to ensure prior written permission is obtained from parents for each and every medicine before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)(also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 27/05/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that information gained through observations clearly identify children's abilities and achievements and used the information to inform children's next steps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's clear knowledge and understanding of her safeguarding policies and procedures. She has a good understanding of her child protection policy and is confident in the action she would take if concerned that a child was at risk of abuse. The home is well-maintained, with good steps in place to ensure the environment is safe for children. For example, a guard prevents children from accessing the fireplace. The home is regularly assessed for hazards and action is taken to reduce any risk of harm to children. Venues for outings are risk assessed prior to the visit to ensure they are safe and suitable for children. The wide range of toys and resources are maintained in good condition. Storage systems are effective and allow children to make choices and to self-select. Space is used well within the home and children enjoy room to play freely.

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the early years provision

The childminder generally implements sound strategies to promote children's good health. Written consent is obtained from parents to administer prescribed medication. However, although she obtains verbal consent in advance, she does not consistently obtain written consent to administer non-prescribed medication, such as pain relief medicines. This is a breach of a specific legal requirement. Good strategies, such as the exclusion of children when ill, reduce the spread of illness. Clear information is shared with parents to ensure they are fully informed of her sickness policy.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes strong partnerships with parents. Policies and procedures are shared, which ensures parents have an insight into her role and responsibilities. Parents have access to children's development records and receive regular updates on children's achievements. A daily diary is effectively maintained for babies, which offers parents an insight into how they spend their day. Parents are encouraged to share information relating to children's dispositions in the diary, which supports the childminder in meeting children's individual needs. Parents make positive comments relating to the childminder. They state that children are very happy and the childminder is very supportive, offering a home-from-home environment, which is friendly and safe. The childminder has good strategies in place to work with others in supporting children. For example, she has a positive attitude towards working with external agencies and pre-schools to ensure children

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her provision well and has systems in place to identify most areas of her provision that require attention. She makes good use of training and has completed a number of courses since her last inspection in order to extend her professional knowledge. She shares good practice with other registered childminders, which enables her to review her provision and to drive improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and play opportunities. The childminder has good strategies in place to gain information on children's abilities as they join her provision. She has a good understanding of children's abilities and individual stages of development because she conducts regular observations on children. However, not all of her observations consistently carry clear information relating to children's achievements, which can be used to plan for children's next steps. Children experience good opportunities to make choices and to follow their own interests from the accessible range of resources. The childminder adopts a flexible approach towards planning and encourages children to learn through play and their experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children play well alongside each other. They enjoy attending toddler groups where they are able to play with their peer group and develop their social skills. They are learning to cooperate, share and take turns. The childminder implements clear boundaries, which promotes positive behaviour. During their play the childminder is attentive and shares her time well between those present. Children are clearly at ease in her care and enjoy the attention they receive. They are developing their language skills well. The childminder consistently talks to the children during their play, which encourages them to engage verbally and to acquire a wider range of vocabulary.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is skilled in extending children's play. For example, after shaking cooking containers and listening to the noises they make, the childminder introduces the music basket and children enjoy playing a variety of instruments. As a result, children engage well in the activities provided. Children experience good opportunities to be physically active. They benefit from daily opportunities to play outside and to benefit from being in the fresh air. They visit local attractions, such as farm parks, indoor play centres and nature reserves, all of which encourage them to develop their physical skills and to learn about the world around them. On outings, the childminder develops children awareness of danger, particularly when crossing the road. For example, she encourages children to stop, look and listen. Children practice the emergency evacuation procedure, which provides them with an understanding of what to do in an emergency. They follow good hygiene

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and outcomes for children

routines. They willingly wash their hands during the day, which reduces the spread of germs and infections. The provision of individual towels reduces cross contamination of illness. Children enjoy a healthy range of snacks and eat well. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 27/05/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 27/05/2011

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