Iver Village Infant Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 149680 Inspection date 16/06/2011 Inspector Carol Cox

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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 2001. The childminder lives with her husband and two school-aged children in Warmley, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the home is used for childminding, and 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 to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age group, she currently cares for four children under five years at different times during the week. She is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register and offers care to older children before and after school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and has an Extended Childminding Practice certificate. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an accredited member of the South Gloucestershire Children Come First Network.

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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 make exceptional progress in relation to their starting points. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of how children learn, and uses highly effective records to record children's achievements and plan their next steps in learning. Overall, the childminder builds significant relationships with parents and others to identify and address the individual care, learning and development needs of children. Through highly reflective self-evaluation, feedback from parents and strong commitment to professional development, the childminder maintains a very high standard of care to promote the best outcomes for each child.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to share their comments and observations about their children''s development to help her provide the best possible care.

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the early years provision

Children are very effectively safeguarded as the childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of how to recognise signs and symptoms of different forms of abuse. She is vigilant in attending updating training and has a very good knowledge of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder asks all visitors to her home to identify themselves and their visits are recorded. There are rigorous systems in place to identify those who have responsibility for children and those who are authorised to collect them. To further safeguard children the childminder has arranged for two local childminders, known to the children, to assume care for them in case of emergency. Parents are kept fully informed of these arrangements and give their consent. The childminder makes robust risk assessments of all aspects of her practice and makes regular reviews as necessary to meet the needs

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the early years provision

of children. For example, she diligently reviewed her safety procedures for minded children in the school playground when collecting older children. Throughout their play children learn about keeping themselves safe; the childminder reminds them to pick up toys and be aware of others. The vast range of toys, materials and equipment are made freely accessible to stimulate and support children's own play. The childminder is constantly aware of the need to challenge children's development and support them when they wish to explore new resources. For example, one very young child loves to play with 'grown up' building blocks; the childminder is supportive and maintains close supervision so he can safely experiment and play with the tiny pieces. Children learn about the wider world through regular visits to local amenities and benefit from regular attendance at toddler groups where they socialise with others. They enjoy a rich selection of

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the early years provision

resources which portray positive images of others and learn to value diversity when discussing their own physical differences. The childminder cherishes each child as a unique individual and meets their needs extremely well.

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the early years provision

Parents benefit from comprehensive information about the childminder's practice. They are given copies of all policies and procedures and provided with details of the care on offer. They are welcomed as essential and expert partners in informing the childminder about the ever-changing care needs of their children. The childminder supports her relationships with parents through daily verbal and written feedback. Parents are encouraged to contribute their own comments and some are starting to do so; these are highly valued and play an important part in informing their child's on-going learning and development. The childminder has gained consent from parents to share records and build working partnerships with other settings attended by children. Children's learning records are beautifully documented with photographs and observations. These provide clear evidence of children's excellent progress and the vast range of activities which they enjoy.

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the early years provision

Parents comment about the 'nurturing, safe and stimulating environment', that the 'daily diary is fantastic' and that the childminder 'has been flexible and communication has always been easy'. She is highly appreciated by families who choose her care for successive siblings.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly organised and structures her practice in an exemplary manner. All necessary documentation and records are maintained in strict confidence and share with parents who sign to verify. The childminder is a extremely reflective practitioner and has made a meticulous self-evaluation of her practice. She identifies areas for future development and takes appropriate action. Currently she has identified the need to continue to encourage parents to share their comments and observations about their children's development to help her provide the best possible care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make extremely good progress in relation to their starting points in the childminder's expert care. She makes careful observations of children's achievements and uses these records to plan for next steps in learning. Children are enthusiastic and eager learners, bursting with energy and thriving from the attention lavished on them. The childminder knows each child's particular interests extremely well, she sets out the wooden train set which both boys love. Through this favourite toy she helps develop their learning in all areas. One boy painstakingly fits together pieces of track and connects the bridge, the childminder congratulates him and they all watch in admiration as the engine slides easily down the track. The child then finds the police station building, fits in the ''special'' window and sets off the alarm, explaining that the alarm rings when the window is opened and someone escapes! He begins to play 'escaping prisoners' using his

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and outcomes for children

fertile imagination. The childminder and children have made play dough and the boys expertly demonstrate their physical skills when cutting and rolling using a variety of tools. The toddler cuts two star shapes and echoes the older boy when he counts one, two. Through their everyday play children are encouraged to develop language skills. They sing twinkle, twinkle little star and talk about bigger and smaller stars as they are cutting. The childminder sits on the floor with the children, they play and laugh together and congratulate each other on their achievements. Children learn about their community and the wider world when on regular outings to the library, parks and green spaces, where they can explore the natural world and observe the changing seasons. The childminder takes one child swimming once a week, to the delight of her mother. Through sharing life experiences and hearing about each others' lives children learn to value and enjoy

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and outcomes for children

their differences and begin to build relationships.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle quickly and are confident and settled in the childminder's care. They learn to climb stairs safely under close supervision and recognise the importance of tidying away toys to prevent trips. One morning when walking back from school they observed a tree surgeon cutting down a tree with a chain saw, and one boy demonstrates how he held his hands over his ears to stop them hurting. The children enjoy choosing their favourite fruits and know they must sit to eat. They are excited to have an indoor picnic and quickly sit on the rug to enjoy their snack. The childminder helps children learn about the importance of keeping themselves clean and healthy through good everyday routines. All dietary and medical needs are discussed in great detail with parents so that the childminder is aware of any special considerations needed for each child. Children generally behave extremely well and through sensitive guidance start to learn that their behaviour can

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and outcomes for children

adversely affect others. The childminder appreciates their help in tidying away toys and praises them for their good behaviour. Children bask in the warmth of the childminder's joy in their company and make exceptional progress in all areas of care, learning and development. They are eager and excited to learn and develop excellent skills to support their future learning. 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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