New Hutte Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104434 Inspection date 26/07/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two of her three children aged 8 and 14 yrs in Okehampton, Devon. Children play in a dedicated playroom on the ground floor. In addition they access the dining room, living room and toilet facilities in the basement. On the first floor is the childminder's own room, which is used for sleeping babies. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet cat and a dog. The dog is never present while minded children are on the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 well cared for in a caring family environment. They are clearly very happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder plans a variety of activities based around children's interests, enabling children to make good progress in their learning and development. A key strength is the childminder's working partnership with parents and other providers, which contributes to provide consistency and cohesive support for each child. Most of the required documentation is in place. Although the childminder strives to develop her provision she has yet to incorporate parents views in this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems of self-evaluation to incorporate views of parents  extend the current written risk assessment to cover anything with which a child may come into contact

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding about safeguarding children whilst in her care. All adults living on the premises have been checked for suitability. The childminder closely supervises children at all times and ensures they are protected from unvetted persons. She has a range of policies and procedures which are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shared and signed by the parents. Records are appropriately maintained, for example accidents are clearly documented and shared with parents. Risk assessments are conducted both in the home and for outings. However the written risk assessment for the childminder's home does not fully document all areas children have access too. Regular fire evacuations are undertaken with the children and outcomes clearly documented. This enables children to be familiar with processes to follow in the event of an emergency.

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the early years provision

The dedicated playroom is very well organised and provides a welcoming and enticing base for children to play in. Children are able to make choices in their play from the vast range of resources, many of which are of natural materials. Children benefit from good opportunities to develop respect and positive understanding of diversity of people through the range of resources, toys, discussions and role play.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to her professional development and practices; for example, she has considered various options and altered her home environment to provide dedicated childminding areas. She has incorporated additional ways in her practice to gain information about children's development using techniques acquired from attending a childcare training session. She has completed an evaluation of her service but has yet to include the views of others. All recommendations set at the childminder's previous inspection have been appropriately addressed maintaining confidentiality and children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed an excellent two-way partnership with parents. Working with parents to achieve good outcomes for all particularly through the settling in processes. Good two-way information is shared in a variety of ways such as posters, notice display board, daily diaries, discussions and photographs. Feedback from parents is exceptionally positive in relation to the care their children receive; the support, guidance and stability the childminder offers the whole family. In addition the childminder has built good links with other Early Years settings to develop a shared approach to children's care and learning

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's homely environment enables children to feel secure and confident; for example, children who attend less frequently than others happily settle and engage in activities provided. The majority of children have been cared for over a long period of time and have formed a strong and trusting relationship with the childminder and her family. As a result, they are very happy, settled and confident. The childminder clearly knows and responds well to all the children's individual needs. The resources and activities provided are built around children's interests and development; for instance children show a keen interest in construction using large bricks, so the childminder effectively introduced smaller forms of building blocks to encourage and develop children's physical and concentration skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children clearly enjoy playing outdoors, from making water marks on the paving This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with brushes and sponges to constructing models in the sand tray. The childminder talks with the children as they play, which helps to develop their language skills. Children show great delight as they throw stones in the river making splashes. They become familiar with the world about them as they observe different types of butterflies and watch insects wiggle on the ground. They become engrossed as they build with small bricks and develop their imaginative play as they look for the fairies in the special tree. The childminder uses lots of verbal praise and as a result children respond well. Good use is made of local community based groups providing children with variety and opportunities for play and interaction with other children, thereby allowing them to develop their social skills and an awareness of

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and outcomes for children

the diversity of people in the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her observation records achievements, photographs and detailed samples of children's creativity in various formats. It relates to the six areas of learning and identifies appropriate next steps in children's development. Parents are invited to share in their children's learning journey record and are actively encouraged to be involved in their child's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy lifestyles as they follow established hygiene procedures, such as regular hand washing throughout the day. They know, for example, that food gives them energy. Children are encouraged to eat meals provided by parents and parents are kept informed on how much they have eaten. Drinks are made available to children during the day and children are reminded to drink more particularly when it's hot or following some form of physical activity. Sun hats are used to protect children when outdoors. Children learn about keeping safe, for example sun hats are used when playing outdoors. Children reach to hold the childminder's hand before they go out of the front gate and they are encouraged to wait, look and listen for traffic noises before venturing to cross the road safely together. 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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