The Wickford Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 114814 Inspection date 26/07/2011 Inspector Jill Steer

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and children aged over 16 in Haywards Heath, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder's husband and one adult daughter also work as assistants when required. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms. The childminder is registered to 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 range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged up to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved

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Description of the childminding

childminding network and is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged three and four.

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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

Excellent relationships are established with the children's parents, which contribute to providing a rich and safe learning environment for all children. The childminder successfully promotes most aspects of children's care, welfare and development and they are cared for in a warm, friendly home environment where their individual needs are well met. The childminder has a positive attitude towards developing her practice through continuous professional development. She takes appropriate steps to identify and improve the quality of the service she offers. She develops partnerships with other providers to support children's development journeys.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend hygiene routines to enable children to look after themselves after eating.

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the early years provision

The childminder is clear about her responsibility to safeguard children and is aware of signs that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. This enables her to follow the appropriate procedures, should she ever have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder is suitably experienced and qualified to care for children and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has a good understanding of how children learn. She provides a very stimulating environment where children can play and learn safely. All the required documentation is in place to ensure the childminder knows about each child's care needs. Daily checks are completed of the childminder's home before the children arrive. Risk assessments are completed for the home, garden and places they visit, to identify and address any possible hazards and make sure they are safe for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is organised so that children have space to play and can easily access the range of resources on offer in the living room. As a result, children are able to make independent choices in their play and learning which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. All children are clearly happy and thrive as a result of the childminder's care and they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder helps children learn to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives, treating everyone as an individual, through her positive attitude to promoting equality and diversity. The childminder evaluates her practice effectively and is aware of her strengths as well as areas for further development.

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the early years provision

The childminder invests a lot of time developing extremely good relationships with the parents. She visits them in their own homes to get to know them and the children well before caring for them. She shares daily diaries detailing the children's activities as well as regularly meeting with the parents to share the children's development records. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the children's learning and discuss what their interests are. The views of the parents are invited in a questionnaire about the childminder. This helps her to review her practice and evaluate her strengths and areas for development. Partnerships with other providers are formed to ensure children's learning and care is consistent and information is shared in a three-way relationship.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is encouraged as they can access a good range of resources that are age appropriate and the childminder regularly asks them to choose what they would like to play with. She supports them well as they play, asking many questions to challenge their thinking and extend their learning. For example, when they add water to sand, the childminder asks them where they think it might have gone as it soaks in and disappears. Many activities are planned which stem from children's own interests such as looking at dinosaurs and using the opportunity to compare and discuss them. Children's development is recorded in detail in individual learning journals as well as in photograph albums. Their achievements and milestones are recorded in relation to the six areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This information is then effectively used to plan in the long, medium and short term so each child can progress steadily in

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and outcomes for children

their development and learning journey. A good balance of both adult and child-led activities ensures children are engaged and supported. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy many activities outdoors which provide them with the opportunity to be active and enjoy fresh air. They squirt water to make shapes on the ground, ride bikes and make sand castles. Many local outings help children learn about and become part of, their immediate community and some activities help them learn about the wider world. For example they socialise with other children at local groups and get active at soft play centres. Children behave well as they are engrossed in their play and observe the childminder role modelling courteous behaviour. Sensible guidelines help children learn right from wrong as well as how to keep safe. Their outings provide many opportunities for children to learn about

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and outcomes for children

keeping themselves safe while learning to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. This is also reflected in the healthy snacks of fruit they enjoy sitting together at the table. Children each have a plate and safety knife so they can try to cut their own banana. They are reminded to drink regularly from their cups which are always within reach for whenever they are thirsty. Children bring a packed lunch with them so their food is prepared according to their own dietary needs. The childminder is aware of any special diets to make sure each child only eats what is suitable for them. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and have formed close attachments to her. Good personal hygiene skills are developed as children wash their hands routinely after using the toilet and before meals, each using their own towel to protect them from cross-infection. However they do not wash again after eating and return to their play with sticky hands and faces .

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and outcomes for children

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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