Northfield Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 117916 Inspection date 08/09/2011 Inspector Arda Halls

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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 1993. She lives in West Ealing in the London Borough of Ealing. The whole of the ground floor of the house plus the toilet on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play and children are regularly taken to the local parks, playgroups and the public library. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in this age group on a full-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no 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 successfully progress in all areas of learning. Arrangements are in place to ensure their health and safety needs are promoted effectively. Good relationships with parents promote children's care and education well. The childminder is well organised overall and is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. She consistently takes steps to improve the service she offers to young children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider ways of developing effective continuity and progression for the child by sharing relevant information with other settings that they may attend

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised in a clean and inviting home. She demonstrates a good understanding of how to keep children safe and knows what to do if she has a child protection concern. Policies and procedures are unique to her setting including what to do in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against her. The complaints procedure clearly informs parents how they may contact the regulator if they should wish to make a complaint. Risk assessments covering risks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 both indoors and on outings have been prepared. The childminder recognises the benefits of updating them at regular intervals to fully promote children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity practices well. Children's individual care needs are identified as they start at the childminder's home. This means their daily routines are designed to take their needs into account. For example, the childminder provides food as prepared by parents and knows the signs of children needing a sleep. She knows that they will not enjoy the latter part of the day if they do not sleep. She knows when the best time is to go out for a walk in the park or to visit the local playgroups. The childminder provides children with resources and outings that help them develop a good awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder seeks the opinions of the parents by asking them to record their opinions about the care she provides. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress at the end of the day at which time they may also voice their views verbally. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with other professionals and settings that the children may attend. This does not currently apply to any children she cares for, although she is positive about establishing links in the near future when children start school.

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the early years provision

The family home is well organised with toys and resources and a place where they can rest. Children are engaged in their play for different periods of time according to their age. They are able to play and explore a wide range of toys and resources that meet the needs of all children. Low level storage means that their independence is promoted as they can make free choices about what they like to do. The childminder reflects enthusiastically on her practice and strives to improve where necessary. She has developed a self-evaluation document that portrays her commitment to enhance and develop her childcare practice. She establishes effective daily routines that help children learn about the order of the day. She explains clearly to children when she will be changing their nappy, when they will eat and when they will have a sleep. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively engaged in their play. They especially like playing with the dolls. They explore their surroundings smiling and laughing and talking confidently with the childminder. They are encouraged to be active and inquisitive and as a result are independent learners. There is a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities which means children are fully occupied and enjoying their learning. They like to draw with crayons and enjoy colouring books that can be wiped clean. They proudly show the childminder their finished work and she praises and encourages them in their efforts. She has a good understanding of how children learn and this is evident from child observations. Observations are linked to the areas of learning with the next steps of children's learning clearly identified. It is clear to see how children's learning is progressing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal development, care and understanding of a healthy lifestyle is well promoted. Children know to wash their hands if they have something sticky on them and before lunch is served. The childminder has an effective nappy changing routine in which she wipes down the changing mat after each child and disposes of nappies in carrier bags outside in the covered plastic box. She washes her hands thoroughly as soon as she completes the change. The childminder explains how she introduces toilet training according to the parent's wishes and when the children are ready using a toilet seat and a small step. All areas of the home are orderly and good hygiene is practised at all times. The children know they can ask for a drink or food whenever they are hungry. The childminder displays great patience and thoughtfulness as she assists children when eating. She has developed systems to encourage children to eat but recognises that it can take

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and outcomes for children

sometime before children accept and enjoy new foods. She works effectively within the Early Years Foundation Stage to consistently provide care for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted and recognised. Children have a good sense of belonging and self-esteem which is reinforced throughout the day. Children's safety is maintained successfully as the childminder strives to raise their awareness of how to keep safe. They are reminded not to run when inside the home and older children are beginning to learn about road safety. They practise leaving the house quickly as they practise the fire evacuation procedure, using the smoke alarm as the fire bell.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing good basic skills for their future learning. They learn about numbers through the stories they read, they learn to recognise shapes when playing with blocks or assembling puzzles. Some creative play is on offer at home in the garden while more is experienced in the local playgroups. Here children are fully supported to express themselves with a variety of play materials. They also experience a good range of physical activities both indoors and out while in the childminder's care. She explains how much they enjoy moving around in the play car and taking the 'babies' for walks in the toy pushchair. Children are free to access books in the home. They have their favourite stories which the childminder reads frequently. She recognises the importance of following the children's interests. She explains how she uses the public library to extend children's learning about their own cultures and those of others. Children's language is successfully

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and outcomes for children

promoted with good descriptive conversations as they play. The childminder is fully involved in all aspects of the children's play, which promotes their learning and development well. 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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