The Orchards School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 148386 Inspection date 13/06/2011 Inspector Aileen Finan

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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 in Lower Earley, near Reading in Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding although children mainly play downstairs. 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 the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age; of which three children may be in the early years age range at any one time. The childminder is currently minding seven children aged under eight years on a full and part time basis. Of these, three children are in the early years age group and minded on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is supportive of children for whom English is a second language and children who have additional needs and require additional support. The childminder holds a Bachelor of Education Honours Degree. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder has acted fully upon the recommendation set at the last inspection. The childminder has a strong knowledge of how children learn and develop and therefore, on the whole children make strong progress at their own pace towards the early learning goals. Partnerships with parents are very effective. Children are kept safe and their well- being is enhanced by effective policies and procedures that are appropriately acted upon. Children are very happy and settled in the care of the childminder.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 build upon and adapt systems further to monitor children's learning in line with future developments planned for Early Years provision and to aid children's ongoing progression within the early learning goals; whilst exchanging ideas with other agencies and partnerships to enhance and improve continuous practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has high aspirations for the continuous improvement of her provision. She demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and how children learn and develop at their own pace. Children's well-being is significantly enhanced by the meticulous risk assessments which keep children safe within the home, garden and when out and about. The childminder has a strong understanding of how to safeguard the children she cares for. She is fully aware of her responsibilities to disclose any concerns she has about the children she cares for and has updated her safeguarding training recently. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and therefore, parents have a clear understanding of the medication and sickness, complaints and equal opportunities procedures. Children's confidential records, daily register, accident details, medication administered for example are

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the early years provision

The childminder has continued to work effectively since her last inspection and has taken on board the minor areas of weakness and fully addressed these within her commitment and vision for the future to enhance the outcomes for children. She constantly evaluates her plans for activities which help children to work towards their individual goals. Children are provided with a vast range of very good quality resources. Her home environment is exceptionally conducive to learning and to keeping children safe. Children have plenty of room to play and have fun. Consequently they achieve well and enjoy the time spent with the childminder. The childminder promotes equality and diversity throughout all areas of the care she provides. All children are valued as individuals. The childminder is effectively aware of children's starting points and family environments, their backgrounds, their likes and dislikes, how they are comforted and how best to support their needs. There

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the early years provision

are excellent partnerships with parents and extended families. Children cared for in the past continue to have close bonds with the childminder and keep in touch. Useful partnerships with others, such as professionals working with children, schools and nurseries are well-established. The childminder has proactively involved children and parents within the evaluation of her provision. She has identified that for the future she would like to build and adapt how she monitors children's progress as well as keeping in touch with others to ensure she remains on track in order to provide further improvement and maintain the strong provision she has already accomplished.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning and development exceptionally well. Play is a solid mix of child-led and adult-initiated activities and involves all six areas of learning. Parents are introduced to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and understand how well their children are developing. Daily diaries along with discussions about children's development books give parents and their extended This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 family a delightful account of how well children progress towards the early learning goals. Planned activities are enjoyable and challenging and are set to meet the individual interests of each child. Consequently, children thrive in their development in relation to their starting points. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to observe and assess children. Therefore, children become curious and inquisitive learners. The childminder has built upon the many years of

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and outcomes for children

her childminding practice and her strengths rooted in her expert knowledge as a previous teacher of early years provision. She completes a fluid long term plan which consists of ideas relating to each month of the year and encompasses many festivals, seasons, celebrations and other events. Each month she plans as to how she can adapt these to meet the needs of the children currently cared for and matches their current interests to current plans. Ongoing assessments and observations enable the childminder to evaluate the outcomes of the activities and how these have met children's needs. A monthly prcis advises of any gaps in children's development, mapping out and informing her of each child's next steps within all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are eager to attend and have a warm bond with the childminder. She expertly extends children's learning through purposeful play opportunities. For example, the use of open questions enable children to think and become more curious. The childminder repeats words and phrases as children speak and joins in with delightful chatter which reassures them and builds self confidence and esteem. All resources are of a high quality and are appropriate to children's stage of development. Children can access their toys easily and confidently choose what they want to do next. Children become engrossed in stories as the childminder reads and they look at the pictures together telling the stories without reading the text but expertly using the child's imagination to deliver the story.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is highly skilled and is sensitive in managing children's behaviour. She works sensitively with parents to find solutions to any minor or concerning issues they have. Children behave and settle well. They respect one another and their environment. Children understand that they are valued and learn about one another's similarities and differences from an early age. Children feel safe and demonstrate a strong sense of security from an early age. They take part in regular fire drill practice. Stair gates are up to shut off the kitchen and stairs. Children regularly learn about road safety. Children learn about healthy routines. They show an excellent understanding of healthy eating and making healthy choices at snack and lunchtime. They grow their own vegetables and fruits. Outdoors there is a plentiful supply of toys which children enjoy and therefore, they engage in regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder has updated her first aid training. She displays her certificate of registration, insurance details and information regarding Ofsted as the regulatory body. Children take part in various trips out within the local and wider community, such as local parks, garden centres, farm ships, toddler groups and the local children's centre. Children play a dramatic role in their learning and respond to challenges appropriate to the age and development in communication, literacy, numeracy and information technology with great enthusiasm. As a result children are equipping themselves with the skills to enhance their own learning in the future. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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