Continu Plus Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 139648 Inspection date 15/06/2011 Inspector Janet Thouless

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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 2000. The childminder lives in Wallington, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and includes a separate playroom and cloak room for minded children. There is a fully enclosed and well equipped garden available for outside play. The home is situated close to local bus and train routes. The family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged five to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She makes provision for children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is happy to walk or drive to local schools to drop off and collect children. She takes the children to toddler groups and places of interest. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Children and their families are welcomed into an extremely friendly child-orientated home. Children are at the heart of all that happens within this setting. They are provided with an excellent range of exciting experiences that enrich their overall development. Children's individual learning needs are extremely well met through innovative personalised planning, rigorous assessments and the childminder working in complete partnership with parents and others offering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has a very clear sense of direction and gives utmost priority to self-evaluation, continuous improvement and opportunities for training and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure confidentiality is maintained when the record of medication administered to children is shown to parents 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 implements an extremely comprehensive range of policies and procedures, which are updated on a regular basis and used effectively to underpin her practice. The accident record is appropriately completed and parents provide written permission for medication to be given to their children. However, it is possible for parents to see entries relating to other children; therefore, confidentiality is not maintained. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities for the protection of children and has highly effective systems in place to monitor record and report concerns in accordance with the Local Children Safeguarding Board. This ensures that children's care and welfare needs are effectively promoted to safeguard them. Comprehensive risk assessments of all areas children may come into contact with are recorded effectively. As a result, children are confident to explore and learn in a secure and

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the early years provision

safe, yet challenging indoor and outdoor space.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes extremely effective use of self-evaluation to help identify her strengths and priorities for future development, improving the quality of her provision for all children. She undertakes relevant training to enhance her skills and evaluates what she does in order to further improve her practice. Her dedicated professionalism results in excellent outcomes for children across all of their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from being cared for in an extremely enabling environment, which is very welcoming and child-friendly. The excellent range of activities and resources are extremely well presented, well maintained and in excellent condition; this contributes towards the sustainability of the childminder's provision. The childminder has organised her toys and equipment in attractive boxes so children of all ages can easily identify their content. As a result, children's independence and choice is promoted. The childminder provides good opportunities for children to develop their awareness of all areas of diversity through the toys and activities on offer.

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the early years provision

The childminder has in place effective communication systems to enhance partnership with parents. She seeks comprehensive information about all aspects of children's welfare and development needs before they attend, in order to establish their starting points. All parents receive a copy of her policies and procedures, which ensures they are fully aware of the service on offer. Observations link to the early learning goals, which provide a focus for the next steps in children's learning and are used to inform planning. Children's profiles are completed and shared with parents, so that children's progress is measurable and parents are able to be involved in supporting their children's learning and development at home. The childminder totally respects parents' views and acts on their comments and suggestions; for example, children now walk to school instead of being driven. Parents speak very highly of the care and learning provided and

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the early years provision

state that 'the week is planned to provide rich and varied activities' and 'the childminder is a very important person in our lives'. The childminder has established clear links with external agencies and other providers delivering the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Early Years Foundation Stage, as appropriate; to ensure children receive the support they need and benefit from continuity in learning and care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed strong and caring attachments with the children. Children are extremely happy, confident and settled and receive excellent support with their learning and development. As a result, children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. The childminder effectively monitors children's development through regular informal observations and assessments, identifying their next steps for learning so they are appropriately challenged in line with their individual needs and interests.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. She prepares activities that she knows children will enjoy but also follows their individual interests. For instance, children delight in discovering snails whilst picking rhubarb in the garden to make a crumble. The childminder extends this interest and children enjoy exploring the texture of snails stating it's 'slimy and slippery'. They line the snails up according to size. Children's learning is further enhanced through the excellent number of outings they participate in. They enjoy trips to wildlife and rare bread centres where they enjoy observing frogs, lizards and water dragons.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely well occupied and benefit from a balanced routine based around their individual needs. They are very keen to communicate with the childminder and use language well to start conversations to express their thoughts and ideas. Whilst playing with small world figures they state 'the ranger is cross look at his eyebrows'. The childminder helps the children to understand that the ranger is simply concentrating on what he is doing. Whilst preparing the mixture to bake muffins the childminder uses skilful questioning to help children weigh the amount of ingredients required. They delight in using the special twizzle stick for mixing. Children develop extremely well because the childminder knows how to engage their interests; she encourages them to explore, investigate and be curious.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder manages children's behaviour appropriately, providing a good role model for politeness and consideration of others; for example, children are encouraged to use good manners by saying please and thank you. This helps build important personal, social and moral development skills to help them establish and maintain positive relationships. Children know they are valued as the childminder listens to what they say. She responds in a kind and caring manner, supporting their self-esteem and confidence at all times.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of a healthy lifestyle is effectively promoted through the provision of home cooked and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks. Children delight in recalling the dragon fruit they had for snack. Children enjoy sociable meal times. They sit down to eat and drink and are learning good table manner, using 'please' This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and 'thank you'. They understand the importance of good hygiene practice, washing their hands after using the toilet and before and after meals. The childminder follows good hygiene routines throughout the provision, preventing the spread of infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical development is promoted extremely well. They enjoy daily opportunities to develop their large muscle movement in the well resourced garden or local park. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussion about road safety and know how to keep safe whilst out and about. These positive early experiences provide children with a good start in life to enable them to develop the skills needed for their future success. 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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