Grangewood School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 138157 Inspection date 28/06/2011 Inspector Cathy Hill

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and adult son in Motspur Park, which is in the London borough of Merton. There are shops, local parks and transport links within walking distance of her home. The whole of the premises are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of which, no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for five children in this age group at various times during the week. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder attends local toddler groups, the library and visits parks on a regular basis.

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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

The childminder is extremely enthusiastic and professional and is dedicated to providing children with an exceptionally high level of care. Children flourish as a consequence of the childminder's highly committed approach. She very effectively organises her time, space and resources to provide children with generally excellent opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills both indoors and outside. Inclusion is positively promoted and excellent partnerships with parents and carers contributes significantly to children's care and well-being. The childminder's capacity for continuous improvement is outstanding and she is proactive in continually reflecting on her provision and taking action to ensure outcomes for all children are consistently high.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhancing children's understanding of print carrying meaning, for example, through the use of key word labels in the outdoor play area.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced and devotes her time to ensuring children are secure, happy and having fun within an excellent, stimulating, family environment. Children are totally at ease in the childminder's care and consistent routines and effective support ensure they feel a sense of belonging. For example, on arrival home from outings children take off their outdoor shoes and place them neatly to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 one side before eagerly entering the playroom. They have established secure, trusting relationships with the childminder and confidently approach her for support. Children's welfare is very effectively safeguarded by the childminder. She has attended specific training in this area and has detailed policies to support her practice. She maintains risk assessment records for her home and outings she takes children on and there is an ongoing safety check of all resources. The

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the early years provision

premises are kept secure and all identified hazards are minimised so children play safely both indoors and out in the garden. The childminder respects all children as individuals and has a thorough understanding of their unique needs. She treats all children with equal concern and ensures children have equal opportunity to access all age appropriate activities and resources. Children confidently and independently access an extensive variety of clean, good quality resources in the excellently equipped playroom. The childminder provides children with a meaningful range of activities and resources which promote a positive view of the wider world. She has been proactive in obtaining resources, such as picture/word cards, which provide children with opportunities to develop and use their dual languages during play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has highly positive partnerships with parents and other carers involved in children's care and education. She works closely with parents and others to ensure there is a relevant exchange of information about children's individual welfare and development needs. The childminder shares detailed information about her practice including her clear, well written policies. Information is also displayed for parents within the childminder's home, for example, she displays details of her activity plans on a notice board within the playroom. Parents are kept very well informed about their child's day through verbal discussion and through a daily diary completed by the childminder. Parents are effusive in their praise of the childminder who they find is 'exceptional' and 'very experienced and reliable'. The childminder is a reflective practitioner who devotes herself to ensuring children continually receive the best care possible. She

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the early years provision

has sustained an outstanding provision through dedication to a role that she clearly relishes. She is highly motivated and seeks and attends regular training opportunities. Within the past year she has attended a variety of training sessions including training, for example, about supporting children with speech and language difficulties and supporting children with medical needs. Her continuing professional development ensures she is well informed and able to implement new ideas within her childminding environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is exemplary due to the childminder's consistent and calm approach in promoting positive behaviour. They play very amicably together and show an understanding of sharing as they take turns to play with remote control cars. Children feel valued as their artwork is displayed and their achievements celebrated, with notes hung on a decorative tree. They develop a sense of ownership of their environment as their photographs are displayed in the dining This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 room showing them engaged in activities which promote learning in all areas. Within the downstairs toilet the childminder has used a photograph of minded children washing their hands as a reminder about hygiene procedures. Children move confidently and freely between the indoor minding areas and the garden. They take ownership of their health and well-being. For example, they go outside

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and outcomes for children

to develop their physical skills as they use the slide and wheeled toys. Indoors, they recognise when they are tired and settle themselves on a cushion in the cosy book area for a rest. Children have free access to their drink and the childminder provides them with a variety of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks. She has a healthy eating policy and displays posters for children about healthy eating in her kitchen. Children keep safe as they play as they receive high, but sensitive, levels of supervision. They show an understanding of safety as they carefully hold on as they go up the steps to the slide. They learn about road safety when out with the childminder and through activities, such as listening to taped songs about road safety procedures.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive and thoroughly enjoy themselves as they learn through fun, play activities. The childminder plans and provides children with excellent opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. She maintains individual development maps for all children on which she tracks their progress in all areas. Written and photographic evidence is maintained of children's development and the childminder records children's next steps in learning. Children are making excellent progress in developing their future skills. They show high levels of independence, curiosity and concentration as they play. They confidently change tapes in the cassette player to listen to African music and they demonstrate an understanding of technology as they competently operate the sound level controls. Children's communication skills are very good. The indoor print rich environment supports children in developing their understanding of print carrying meaning. Resources are clearly labelled

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and outcomes for children

indoors, although not in the outdoor play area. Children develop an understanding of shape as they sit with the childminder to complete inset shape puzzles. The childminder names the different objects, for example, the clock on the circle puzzle and envelope on the rectangle puzzle, and children repeat the words after her thereby reinforcing their own learning. Children smile and laugh as they play showing they are enjoying themselves as they learn. 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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