Rice Lane Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104585 Inspection date 23/08/2011 Inspector Sara Frost

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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 adult daughter in the village centre of Sampford Courtney in Devon. Children use the ground floor rooms of the house, which include a sitting-room, conservatory, dining room, kitchen and playroom. There are ground floor toilet and washing facilities. A large garden surrounds the property and this is used by the children for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted 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 the age of eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She currently cares for 10 children in the early years age group. She also offers care to older children aged up to 11 years. The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder's wealth of experience in childcare is used to effectively to promote children's progress and learning. Most children have been with the childminder for a stable period of time; consequently she knows the children well and plans activities around their interests. Her good relationship and information sharing with parents ensure she continues to meet children's individual needs very well. Partnerships with other settings are not effectively established. The childminder reflects on her practice and uses this to make continuous improvements to her provision. All legally required documentation is well maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop records of fire drills to aid the evacuation process  establish effective partnership working with other settings children attend, to ensure information is regularly shared and used to promote children's achievement and well-being  extend the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of what to do in the event that she has any concerns about a child in her care. Children are further safeguarded as all adults in the household have undertaken relevant suitability checks, and records are kept of visitors to the childminder's home when minded children are present.

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the early years provision

The childminder has updated her first aid qualification, as required, and has clear recording systems to detail any accidents which occur and these are fully shared with parents. Children are kept safe in the childminder's home as the childminder is vigilant in her supervision and carries out thorough risk assessments of all areas used. She records and reviews these regularly. Although the childminder is able to confidently talk through the steps taken to minimise risks that she has identified for all outings which children experience she has not recognised the benefits of recording them to aid future reviews. Fire drills are undertaken on a regular basis to familiarise children with emergency evacuation procedures but again the childminder has not considered the benefits of making a record of them to monitor their effectiveness.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well organised allowing children to move freely and safely between rooms. The interesting range of resources and playthings provided are in good condition and are within children's easy reach, providing them with choices in their play. Children benefit from good opportunities to develop a positive respect and understanding of the diversity of people in the community through use of a suitable range of toys, resources, discussions and role play.

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the early years provision

The childminder reviews her practice and the effectiveness of her provision. She demonstrates an accurate awareness of her strengths and has identified well- targeted areas for future development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has been childminding for a considerable time and uses her experience and knowledge gained over this period effectively. She has cared for some children for a long time and has developed a strong working relationship with parents. She also has good engagement with newer parents, sharing information which contributes to consistent care and support for each child's individual needs. Parents and childminder share children's development both verbally and through use of 'special books' indentifying areas for support. The childminder recognises the need to improve partnership working with other settings children attend. Currently she is reliant upon parents sharing information about what children do and how they are progressing elsewhere. Therefore she cannot be sure that her provision enhances the experiences children have in the other settings fully. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a homely environment where children clearly enjoy themselves. They are settled, happy and benefit from the opportunity to meet and play with others. Children have established very good relationships both with the childminder and each other. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of children's development and the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She successfully promotes children's learning and development through purposeful play activities and daily routines. Photographs displayed around her home and in folders provide evidence of children engaged in a good range of activities, which promotes the six areas of learning. The childminder has developed a range of systems which she uses to assess children's capabilities and identify the next steps in their learning and development. She clearly knows the children well and is confident in providing suitable challenges to enable all children to make good progress and

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and outcomes for children

extend their learning in a fun and interesting way. For example, children become involved in their play as they construct their own play town, assembling tracks, building bridges, setting up shops and people. The childminder skillfully introduces problem solving concepts and increases children's vocabulary as they play. Children enjoy stories, confidently re-telling stories to themselves. Children relish in the achievement and praise received as they complete various puzzles. Additional resources are provided to help children develop hand/eye coordination and concentration skills as they thread various shapes onto laces.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a clean well kept welcoming and homely environment. They have access to a vast range of accessible resources, plus additional resources to choose from in a very well stocked play room. Planned themed activities enable children to learn about their own community and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about personal hygiene through the daily routine and the childminder's own high standards. They are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times and know to remove their shoes upon arrival and dispose of used tissues hygienically. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise as they make regular use of the childminder's large garden, visit local play parks or go on walks around the village. They are provided with opportunities to socialise with others and develop an awareness of the local community as they attend various groups. The children demonstrate safety awareness and learn about keeping themselves safe during everyday activities such as when out crossing roads and by regular fire evacuations. Children are gaining important social skills as they play, share and interact with each other. 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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