Claycots School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 132089 Inspection date 25/07/2011 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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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 1995. She lives with her husband, who is also her registered co-childminder, and has two adult children, one of whom lives at home. They live in a house in Kingston-upon-Thames, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the property is used for childminding including a play room. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and a fully enclosed deck area for free-flow all year. The family has two tortoises.

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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 time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group when working on her own and six children may be in the early years age range, when working with her co-minder. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to nine years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises each child as an individual, this supports her in successfully promoting all aspects of children's welfare, learning and development. The excellent organisation of the premises contributes significantly to children's learning and development, and consequently they make excellent progress. Highly effective partnerships with parents and her co-minder ensure a highly inclusive provision where no child is disadvantaged. Most documentation and daily discussions keep parents well-informed. A strong commitment to continuous improvement ensures priorities for future development are identified and acted on, which impacts on outstanding outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 extending the information for parents on the excellent procedures followed with particular regard to equal opportunities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through the childminder's consistent implementation of extensive documentation. This includes highly effective risk assessments for on and off the premises, which enables independence while protecting children from risk. For example, the childminder closes the gate to the rest of the garden while she prepares lunch. This prevents the children from accessing the paddling pool until both she and her co-minder are present. The childminder has an excellent awareness of the changing risks to children as they develop and the need to keep them safe while challenging their development. She has a strong knowledge of child protection issues and receives regular training to keep her awareness up-to- date.

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the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to initiate their own learning through the enabling environment. The childminder encourages children to explore and use resources according to their own imagination. The new enclosed decking area enables children to have free-flow access to the outside all year. Children have access to the whole premises, including an extremely well-resourced play room. The childminder and her co-minder are very well deployed to enable children to choose where they want to play. For example, two children sing and explore instruments inside, while another child pretends to go camping using a pop-up tent in the garden. The excellent organisation of the environment and resources is conducive to learning both inside and outside, which meets the needs of children's different learning styles and ensures equal opportunities.

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the early years provision

Parents receive daily verbal and written information on their child's development and have excellent opportunities to make their own contributions. Children's individual needs are discussed thoroughly during the settling-in period and as an ongoing process. This actively promotes equality and diversity, as the childminder has an exceptional knowledge of children's backgrounds. Parents receive extensive information on the provision including written policies and procedures. Some of these, such as the equal opportunities policy, do not inform parents of all the outstanding procedures followed. However, it is not a requirement to inform them in writing. The childminder is pro-active in developing partnerships with other settings sharing care of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder accurately identifies her own development needs and attends courses in order to continually improve her childcare practices. Self-evaluation has been recently updated in conjunction with her co-minder, to identify their strengths and areas for improvement. She has recently been monitoring her observations and assessments in order to track children's progress and ensure she identifies children's learning priorities in all areas. Parents' questionnaires are used to ensure she is meeting the needs of her users and all parents were eager to contribute highly positive comments at the inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and confident in the childminder's home. Extensive observations and attention to meeting individual learning needs means children make excellent progress. They play extremely well together, build excellent relationships and are confident to discuss their feelings. Children share family experiences and celebrate each other's cultural differences. Children's interests are skilfully used to promote their learning and inspire all the children. For example, one child's interest in a microlight encourages all children to have a go at making their own. Ideas also come from children's enjoyment of books, such as making papier-mache planets and caterpillars. Children squeal with delight as they enjoy playing with water. Young children carefully carry buckets of water and use a watering can on the plants. This is extended by the childminder providing a range of brushes and children using them to make marks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder highly respects children's individuality and encourages their development through their own interests and ideas. Emphasis is placed on children respecting themselves and each other. The children have made a 'tree of life' with the older children as gardeners looking after the seedlings, who in turn look after the seeds, who are the youngest children. They attach a leaf to the tree each time they help each other, which promotes their confidence and pleasure in supporting each other. The childminder and her co-minder provide enthusiastic playmates for the children, role modelling a positive attitude to learning. Consequently, children are motivated, confident learners, who are prepared to have a go at new skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an exemplary awareness of a safe and healthy lifestyle. They learn the importance of road safety and appropriately discuss the procedures should anyone get lost. Younger children are secured in buggies and they all regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures. All children have been involved in making a road safety collage, showing their understanding of zebra crossings, reflective clothing, traffic lights and road signs. Young children who are learning how their body works are extremely pleased with themselves when they use the potty. All children develop excellent hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before eating, after using the toilet or potty, or being outside. Tissues, wipes and individual flannels are all available for children to access. They have lots of shaded areas to play in the sun and wear hats and sunscreen, which the childminder re-applies regularly.

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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 1 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 1 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 1

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

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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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