Dewlish House School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 128797 Inspection date 14/06/2011 Inspector Lara Hickson

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two adult children in a three bedroomed house in New Eltham, South East London. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for play activities with supervised access to the first floor toilet and bathroom. There is a large fully enclosed garden area for outdoor play activities. The family have no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group and one my be under one years old. There are currently six children under eight years on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder effectively supports the welfare and developmental needs of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are progressing very well in all areas of learning as a result of the childminder's knowledge of how children learn and develop through incidental play opportunities. This together with the use of her indoor and outdoor environments and outings in the local community and further afield fully enhances children's learning opportunities. The childminder has effective self- evaluation systems in place to identify her strengths and priorities for further development. Her capacity for improvement is good and all previous recommendations have been completed. The childminder has a positive approach towards completing additional training as a way of extending her knowledge of the childcare field and maintaining continuous improvement. Partnerships with parent/carers and other settings have been established and this is complimenting

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 further strengthen self-evaluation systems to take into account the views of others, for example, parent/carers and children attending the setting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Safeguarding is given high importance within the setting by the childminder. She demonstrates an excellent understanding of local safeguarding procedures and of her responsibilities with regards to recording and reporting any concerns with regards to abuse and or neglect. She has a very good understanding of the referral process and has liaised closely with Social Services to fully meet the needs of children in her care. All adults within the setting have been fully checked and additional policies are in place regarding this. Effective arrival and collection procedures are in operation to ensure children's safety.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of how to help children to feel and keep safe both within her setting and when out and about in the local community. She provides gentle reminders to children to make them aware of their own safety and that of others. For example, she reminds children playing tennis to be aware of the younger children, when swinging their rackets and encourages other children to give them some space to play their game. Extensive risk assessments are in place and include both the indoor and outdoor environments as well as outings both in the local community and further afield. The childminder reviews risk assessments on a monthly basis to ensure that any hazards are kept to a minimum. For example, she has noted that a fence panel in her garden is broken and has arranged for this to be replaced immediately. A detailed emergency plan is in place and fire drills are completed regularly to ensure that all

p.5

the early years provision

children are aware of the procedure to follow.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has effective self- evaluation systems in place. She reviews her practice constantly and makes amendments where necessary to keep abreast of any changes. For example, she reviews her policies and procedures on an annual basis and adds additional information as required. A written- self evaluation form has been completed and this demonstrates how the childminder meets the care and educational needs of the children she minds. She outlines her strengths as well as areas she plans to improve further. For example, she has developed a form which she intends to share with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder values and respects children's unique needs and individuality and ensures that her practice is fully inclusive. She has a range of resources that depict positive images of disability, gender and culture such as dolls, small world people and posters. The childminder promotes children's understanding of the world around them through the celebration of different festivals such as Chinese New Year, Divali and St George's Day. The children also enjoyed celebrating the recent Royal wedding and one child tells me all about the dress Kate wore and that she married Prince William!!. The childminder promotes children's language through the introduction and repetition of new vocabulary. For example, when talking about the Royal Wedding the childminder reintroduces the word ''veil'' as one child cannot remember ''the thingamabob Kate wore on her head''. Children are well behaved within the setting due to the childminder's firm, consistent approach

p.5

the early years provision

towards the management of any inappropriate behaviour. Children share resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fairly and negotiate their turns extremely well given their young ages. Children develop confidence and a positive self esteem due to the continual encouragement provided by the childminder.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are very happy, settled and at home in the childminder's welcoming setting. They are flourishing in the setting as the childminder spends a great deal of time interacting with them and skilfully uses resources to help children achieve and progress in all areas of their development. They show a strong sense of belonging as they independently select toys and resources from the well organised, low level shelving system and move happily around the indoor and outdoor areas at their leisure. They have formed extremely close relationships with the childminder and chatter and laugh together infectiously during the inspection. The childminder's warmth and consideration of their individual needs, enhances their confidence and feelings of security.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder introduces educational concepts to play activities. For example, children learn the names of colours, shapes and numbers through looking at books, playing with the different toys and during art and craft activities. Daily routines also give children the opportunity to learn about these concepts such as the colours of their cups at snack time and how many pieces of fruit they have. The childminder supports and extends children's imagination and creativity and becomes fully involved in their make- believe world when invited. For example, she is bandaged by a child pretending to be a doctor and then helps the child to make a sling. Counting and number association skills are extended continuously by the childminder such as when preparing the snack, counting the different fruit available and then how many pieces a child has. Physical skills are promoted through outdoor activities in the garden area and at local parks where children use

p.6

and outcomes for children

different play apparatus and through activities in the home that extend their fine motor skills. For example, children use different tools during cooking activities such as when mixing ingredients together to make homemade beef burgers, playdough and cakes.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are supported extremely well by the childminder to ensure that they make good progress across all areas of their learning and development. Observation and assessment is thorough and used effectively by the childminder to determine how children will be encouraged to learn and develop further. Next steps in children's learning are clearly identified and activities planned to develop any individual interest. Regular outings to toddler groups provide children with opportunities to take part in different activities to those offered at the childminder's setting and to socialise with other children as they learn to share and take turns. Children learn about their local community through outings such as trips to the local parks, to local shops and places of interest. For example, on a recent trip to the local garden centre children chose their own flowers from the choice available and came back to the setting where they plant them independently. The childminder introduces

p.6

and outcomes for children

the children to concepts of what plants need to survive and explains that plants This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and flowers grow quite slowly to avoid the children becoming impatient at their growth. The childminder ensures her explanations are at a level suitable to the level of each child's individual understanding. Visits to the local ecology centre encourage children's understanding of wildlife and their interest in bugs and mini beasts. They are able to catch different bugs in nets and on a recent visit were able to hold baby newts.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has established positive relationships with parent/carers and keeps them well informed about their child's care, learning and development needs through verbal feedback, daily contact books and through the developmental profiles. Parents comment that they really value these systems as they enable them to feel fully involved with what their child has been enjoying during their day and allows them to extend children's learning further at home. Observations are made on children, demonstrating what they have achieved and their next steps of learning. At the start of each placement the childminder identifies what each child is already capable of through discussion with their parents. She uses this information as an initial baseline assessment to plan age and stage appropriate activities for the child to enjoy. Parents comments show they are extremely happy with the service provided, for example, 'she is an excellent childminder'', 'she

p.7

and outcomes for children

encourages children to be independent and confident'' and 'she is very understanding and accommodating of parents childcare needs''.

p.7

and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the importance of building links with other settings a child attends that also delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage. Although currently only verbal feedback is exchanged, the childminder is to introduce a form which details interests observed, activities and themes being enjoyed at both settings and any additional activities that are planned to complement the child's learning.

p.7

and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health very well in the setting. Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play and for fresh air and exercise on walks in the local community. The childminder is aware of each child's individual dietary requirements and actively promotes these within the healthy, nutritious meals and snacks she provides. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 1 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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9