St Martins School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 113042 Inspection date 07/07/2011 Inspector Hazel Farrant

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children on the outskirts of Aldershot, Hampshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. Access to the property is at street level and there is a fully enclosed secure garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children, of which three may be in the early year's age range. She is also registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently seven children on roll, five of which are in the early years age range. Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family have cats, chickens and a tortoise as pets.

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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

Children are happy and settled because the childminder creates a safe, secure inclusive environment, where children are valued and supported. The childminder helps the children to feel comfortable whilst they attend the setting. The childminder has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement, because she continually evaluates the activities and experiences that are on offer to the children. Overall, children needs are very well met.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further develop systems, so that knowledge gained from observing children is used effectively so that records of children's progress clearly show the actual stage of development they are at in relation to the stepping stones of the early learning goals and what the intentions are for progressing them onto their next steps ensuring all children are supported to reach their full potential.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility and legal duties with regards to safeguarding children. Her effective policies and procedures work well in practice to ensure children are able to play in a safe, healthy, secure and stimulating environment. Her robust risk assessment procedures ensure measures are put in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury to enable children to play safely. For example, she has fitted an anti-closure device to the patio door so that the door can be left safely open in a vented position. The childminder has a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 current first aid certificate which means she understands how to deal with accidents appropriately. The childminder has completed a Level 3 qualification since her last inspection and has a strong commitment to driving improvements through identifying areas to improve through effective self-evaluation. The

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the early years provision

recommendation set at her last inspection has been successfully met.

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the early years provision

Children are clearly making good progress from their starting points. The childminder consults parents before they start at the setting to ensure they are fully aware of the children's abilities. The childminder is skilled in using open ended questions to enhance the children's learning. As a result, all children are attaining well. The childminder regularly observes children and keeps a record of their achievements in a detailed daily diary which is regularly shared with parents. However, although she is able to verbalise how she moves children on, their next steps are not clearly identified in her current method of record keeping. In addition to this, the areas of learning are not clearly identified either. Toys are easily accessible and are regularly rotated so that children remain engaged and excited about the resources that are on offer. Resources include a wide variety of multicultural toys and a wonderful 'homemade' book of pictures of people with

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the early years provision

varying needs. Therefore, children are accessing positive images of the wider world we live in, thus promoting equality and diversity effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder respects parents' wishes in the care of their child and has all appropriate consents in place. The effective daily two-way flow of verbal information ensures consistency. The parents are very happy with the service provided and this is evident through written testimonials, letters and cards. Parents appreciate the childminder meeting their children's individual needs and her professional as well as personal support with offering flexible care arrangements. Partnerships with other early years provisions that the children also attend are strong. Regular meetings with the child's key worker to exchange information regarding the child's development promotes continuity of care and development well.

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and outcomes for children

Children happily explore using a good range of different materials and resources, in a safe, supportive and caring environment. This greatly helps the children to confidently practise and acquire new skills. Children receive plenty of attention, from the childminder listening and responding to them throughout their activities. Children show they feel safe through confident and independent learning, and by making choices. They help themselves to toys that are easily accessible and readily approach the childminder if they need help or a cuddle. Children learn how to keep themselves safe through practicing the emergency evacuation process and by learning how to cross the road safely. The childminder gentle supports children to share resources and to take turns and as a result, children play co-operatively together.

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and outcomes for children

Children play and move around in a clean, tidy and well organised environment, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 therefore promoting their health and welfare well. They enjoy healthy snacks and are able to help themselves to their own drink bottles when they are feeling thirsty. Children learn about healthy lifestyles as they help to plant and tend tomatoes in the garden. They have access to a wonderful selection of outside resources where they are able to climb, slide and use wheeled toys. The good use of open ended questions makes the children think about what they are doing and aids their learning for skills for the future. Children particular enjoy playing impromptu tunes together as they shake a tambourine and play the guitar. Children choose what activities they would like to take part in. This builds on the children's self esteem as they are being listened to by the childminder and their

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and outcomes for children

views are being sought and acted upon. Children use skills of problem solving as they piece together the wooden train track. They learn about colours during art activities and understand that some colours are 'light' and other colours are 'dark'. 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: 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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