Homefields Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 133258 Inspection date 13/06/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a four-bedroom house located in the Tufnell Park area of the London borough of Islington. There are shops and parks within walking distance. The childminder uses the lounge, kitchen/diner and ground floor toilet and hand basin. There is a secure outdoor play area. The family has two pet dogs. The childminder may care for no more than 6 children under 8 years; of these, not more than 3 may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year at any one time (Early Years Register, voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register). She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

There are currently five children on roll.

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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 has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and this supports children in being settled, promotes inclusion and equality of opportunity. Educational programmes support children in making good progress towards the early learning goals, although systems to plan for children's individual needs through observation and assessment are not consistently developed to include the next steps for learning. Risk assessment policies and procedures are detailed but do not clearly state when it was carried out and by whom; this does not impact on children's safety but nonetheless, this is a breach of a requirement. The childminder understands the benefits of joint working practices and has a positive relationship with parents. Systems for self evaluation are still being developed however, the childminder's understanding of her strengths and weaknesses supports the provisions capacity to drive improvement

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. 13/06/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  continue to develop the process of systematic observation and assessment of children''s progress in order to inform the next steps in their learning and development  develop further the use of self-evaluation to identify the settings strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision and promote outcomes for all children

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. She has a valid first aid certificate and knows the appropriate measures to take should any accident occur. Rigorous systems are in place to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded whilst in her care.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and external agencies are good. The childminder has made improvements in recording children's development and this is shared with parents. Consequently, the childminder understands the benefits of joint working practices and has a positive relationship with parents. Furthermore, children go on regular visits to local drop-ins where she has opportunities to share practice issues with other early years providers. This promotes inclusion and equality of opportunity.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a good range of toys, books and learning materials. Resources are effectively deployed to encourage children's independence in making choices in their play and learning. The balance of child-led and adult-led activities fosters active learning within an enabling environment where positive images of diversity are effectively promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to look at her practice through self-evaluation. Systematic methods of evaluation are still being developed however the childminder's understanding of her strengths and weaknesses supports the provisions capacity to drive improvement and improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in a clean, well maintained and well organised environment where they benefit from good daily routines and shared information between the childminder and parents. This also provides parents with opportunities to be actively engaged in children's learning. Children have easy access to enjoyable and challenging play experience across all the areas of learning both in and out of doors which effectively supports them in enjoying and achieving. However, systems to plan for children's individual needs through observation and assessment are not consistently developed to include the next steps for learning. Nonetheless, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a good range and depth of toys and resources are effectively deployed and supports the needs of all ages of children in making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments as a part

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and outcomes for children

of her practice which are effective in identifying hazards to the children indoors and on outings and supports the extent to which children are and feel safe. However, documentation does not clearly state when risk assessments were carried out and by whom. This is a breach of a requirement.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain an understanding of the society in which they live and the wider world within an enabling environment that depict positive images of diversity. Regular outings to local early years provisions where children engage in an appropriate range of activities and learning opportunities supports them in developing skills for the future. The childminder's knowledge of individual children supports them in showing a strong sense of security and belonging as they are happy, settled and form suitable relationships with familiar adults in the setting. Good behaviour management strategies support children in knowing and understanding boundaries, which supports them in making a positive contribution to the setting as they develop skills to play harmoniously with other children. Children are effectively supported in adopting healthy lifestyles as they practice suitable hand washing routines and have regular opportunities for fresh air and

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and outcomes for children

exercise. 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: Met

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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 (Suitability and safety of premises) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare register) 13/06/2011

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