Southlands School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116564 Inspection date 07/09/2011 Inspector Mandy Gannon

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and three of her four children aged 17,10 and five years old in a three bedroom property in Stokenchurch near High Wycombe. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with toilet and sleeping facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder may care for five children at any one time, of these a maximum of three may be in the early years age group. She currently has 11 children on roll, of these four are in the early years age range. The childminder supports children with special education needs and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder is currently undertaking a

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Description of the childminding

level three qualification. The family have a dog.

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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 settled, secure and happy in a warm and caring environment where they are actively involved and interested in activities. The childminder has an accurate understanding of children's individual needs, although home languages are not sufficiently used in their play and learning. Positive partnerships with parents, carers and others promote all working together in order to best meet the individual needs of each child. However, not all parents are actively involved in contributing to their learning journals. The commitment in improving outcomes for children is evident in a setting where parents and children contribute to the monitoring and evaluation systems. The strong drive for improvement is evident as areas for further improvement are identified and training courses are identified in order to support the needs of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop parental contribution to their child's learning and development record in order to help and support their children's progress  value linguistic diversity and provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in their play and learning. 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 as the childminder has robust, detailed and relevant required polices, procedures and information in place, which are regularly reviewed and updated when required. Children are protected as the childminder has an accurate understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect; she is aware of the actions to follow should she have concerns and local contact details are readily available. Children benefit from a well organised environment which enables them to freely, independently and confidently make choices and decisions as they select what they want to play with and where. Effective routines and accurate detailed risk assessments promote children's safety in an environment where hazards have been minimised. For example, children are aware of well organised routines, as older children safely wait by the gate as younger children are put in or taken out of the car first on a busy road. Children are taught to be

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the early years provision

safety conscious without being fearful as they learn about road safety and stranger danger. Children show a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and are aware of procedures to follow in the event of an evacuation of the premises. Fire drills are regularly undertaken and details are recorded in a fire log of the persons present and any problems encountered. Children's safety is successfully promoted through the accurate maintenance of a record of their arrival and departure; detailed risk assessments are completed, documented and reviewed.

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the early years provision

Children freely and confidently access a broad range of toys and activities which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Toys and resources are stored in accessible clear boxes and rotated with the extensive range of toys stored in the garage. The childminder is motivated to promote sustainability as children create models from recycled materials, they regularly walk in the local area, and toys and resources are purchased through local car boot sales and charity shops. Children achieve well in a conducive learning environment. Children benefit from the skills and enthusiasm of a childminder who has an accurate understanding of her provision. She frequently reflects and evaluates her practice, identifying her strengths and areas for further development showing motivation for further develop in this strong provision.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted as the uniqueness of each individual is celebrated. Children successfully develop their understanding of the wider world through toys, resources and planned activities, as they learn about their local community, other cultures and festivals. Posters around the setting show other languages, including Makaton, which the childminder and children use, although the home language of dual language speakers in the setting are not promoted and valued in their play and learning. The childminder has an accurate understanding and successfully meets the needs of each individual child through effective communication channels, daily discussions, diaries and learning journals. The views of others are actively sought through successful links with parents, pre- schools and nurseries. Although, some parents continue to need encouragement to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

contribute to their child's learning journal. The childminder takes effective steps to narrow achievement gaps, she identified a child's reluctance to speak so used signing, and following adaptations to communicating, the child is now a confident speaker. Parental and children's questionnaires are issued to seek views and ideas of strengths and areas for further improvement and have been used effectively to inform the evaluation processes. All questionnaires were very positive and commented on the commitment of the childminder, the wide range of activities available and her warm welcoming environment. For example ' more than just meets the needs. She has gone the extra mile to help and reach out ' and ' the best thing I ever did - trusting my daughter to Lisa'. Children commented ' the best thing is playing with the other children and there is no worst thing' and ' the best thing is playing with my friends and the worst is leaving at 5 pm'.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a setting where the childminder has an accurate understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as children make good or better progress in their learning and development. Accurate regular observations and assessments are effectively used to plan the next steps in their learning and development. Children show they feel safe and secure as they cuddle into the childminder when they are feeling tired or upset. They excitedly come back from collecting another child from pre-school and enthusiastically greet adults in the house and cuddle the dog. Children develop a strong sense of belonging as they proudly show what they have made, pictures and art work are displayed and a poster shows their birthday. Children show interest and determination to complete a fire engine puzzle, spending a considerable amount of time and concentration and smiling with a sense of achievement when completed. Children

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and outcomes for children

are becoming well equipped with the skills to enhance and secure their future, learning as they enthusiastically show me photographs on the childminder's mobile phone of pizza's they had made the previous day. A stimulating environment is provided where children are effectively supported by a skilled practitioner.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is successfully promoted, they develop a good understanding of developing a healthy lifestyle as they are aware of washing their hands before food and after toileting, using paper towels to minimise cross infection. Posters remind children of hand washing and healthy eating, and regular cooking activities involve and develop children's understanding of preparing and eating a well balanced diet. Parents provide packed lunches which are stored appropriately and the childminder works closely with parents being aware of any dietary requirements and/or preferences. Children freely access water to drink when they are thirsty, confidently asking for a refill when necessary. Children benefit from regular opportunities to participate in physical activities as they use chairs and blankets in the garden as they build dens. They skilfully use a wide range of toys and equipment in the garden and go on walks to nearby parks and

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and outcomes for children

on outings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children build positive relationships with other children and the childminder, which are further detailed in recent questionnaires. Children excitedly look at their learning journal with the childminder and enthusiastically identify their friends. Children confidently explain where they have been as they return from pre-school and make choices of activities they wish to participate in. Children are sensitively supported to understand sharing and taking turns, as the childminder acts as a calm, consistent role model. Children's behaviour is good and children enthusiastically show an awareness of responsibility and respond well to adult requests. Children are confident, settled and happy in a setting where they are highly valued. 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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