Meadowhead Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 119121 Inspection date 13/07/2011 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Bracknell, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is currently caring for two children in the early years age range. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and the local park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family have a dog, fish, a rabbit and a chinchilla as family 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 making good progress in their learning and development overall, in relation to their capabilities and starting points. They are happy, confident and very relaxed, which as a result enables them to make good progress towards the early learning goals in most of the six areas of learning. The childminder has good procedures in place to evaluate her setting. There are clearly strengths in aspects of current self-evaluation, which include clear plans for future development. Therefore, she demonstrates a good commitment to maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the programme for knowledge and understanding of the world by providing further activities that help children learn about cultural diversity and the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very good level of commitment to promoting children's safety. She has a good working awareness of child protection issues and has recently updated this to underpin her already good quality knowledge. The childminder's home is a warm and welcoming environment that children can explore safely. The house is secure and thoroughly risk assessed. Every action is taken to minimise any risks identified. Thorough risk assessments are also carried This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 out for the variety of outings that children participate in. Children are taught to be safety conscious without being fearful. They show a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good systems in place to evaluate her practice; she is able to reflect fully on her working practices and indentifies her strengths and weaknesses well. However, some areas are not fully developed, such as the programme for knowledge and understanding of the world. Nevertheless, target setting is realistic and challenging. Consequently, outcomes for children are good.

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the early years provision

Resources are good, fit for purpose and are used well to support children's learning and development. Children have access to a wealth of resources that promote positive images of diversity in their play. However, the planning of activities to promote equality and diversity are limited. Although children learn about a few festivals that are celebrated by people from other cultures, these are not frequent enough to fully promote children's understanding of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents and she regularly seeks their opinions of her service through one-to-one communication. The childminder ensures that the parents are fully aware of their child's day through detailed daily dairies and regular conversations. The childminder has good understanding of how to promote wider partnerships, she has developed these accordingly with the older children and fully understands the importance of working in collaboration with pre- schools, which in turn promotes consistency of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are self-assured, confident and extremely happy. They confidently explore the home and the available resources, and access these in the garden and home independently. Overall, children are making good progress in their learning and development. They show a strong sense of security in the childminder's company and have clearly formed trusting relationships with her. Children seek comfort and reassurance from the childminder; they actively involve her in their play and readily invite her into their games, for example, when playing 'peek-a-boo' in the garden tent. Children's expression and individual choices are very well promoted and supported and this enables them to chose, explore and enjoy activities, which meets their interests while supporting their all round development very well.

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and outcomes for children

Children quickly engage in and enjoy the activities on offer. They enjoy creating pictures for family members and have many opportunities to explore with paint and colours. The children enjoy looking at books and magazines and the childminder is skilful at developing the children's awareness of their bodily parts, celebrating their correct responses.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows each child's stage of development and is sufficiently confident in her knowledge and understanding of how the children are progressing towards the early learning goals. She observes the children during their play and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 plans activities to help them progress further. Children, therefore, experience activities that cover each of the six areas of learning regularly both indoors and outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is committed to promoting healthy eating and encourages parents to supply nutritious lunches and drinks which children enjoy according to their individual routines. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity within society and the wider world through books, toys, some activities and general outings; however, this is an area that is not fully developed. Children have regular opportunities to develop their understanding of safety, such as playing with puzzles that help develop their understanding of people who help us in the community, and learning when it is safe to cross a road. 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 3 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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