Montem Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 133327 Inspection date 29/09/2011 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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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 registered in 1989. She lives with her husband, an adult daughter and one school-aged son in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Childminding mainly takes place on the whole of the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years of age. Of these, three children may attend in the early years age group. She is currently caring for four children, and of these, two are within the early years age group. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder's home is within walking distance of local shops, parks, pre-school and school.

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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 progressing well in their learning and development overall. The childminder has very strong relationships with parents, which helps to promote the children's individual needs. Children's well-being and safety are managed effectively overall. The childminder has started to implement a programme of self- evaluation, which generally highlights areas for future development well. She demonstrates a clear capacity to maintain ongoing improvement and promote good outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessments of children's achievements, to identify and plan learning priorities relevant to their next stages in learning  strengthen the systems for self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of her role in safeguarding children, which helps her to protect them securely. She helps to ensure that the children are safeguarded from strangers and that the environments in which they play and explore are safe. She has a good understanding of the procedures to follow for child protection and has recently attended training to underpin her knowledge. Effective policies and procedures are in place. Records are clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maintained, such as those for risk assessment. The risk assessments cover all areas that the children come into contact with and as a result, minimises all possible hazards to their safety. The childminder provides parents with an overview of her policies and procedures for them to refer to at home. In addition, a more inclusive range of policies are available within the childminder's setting, to

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the early years provision

support children's health and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is well maintained and provides a warm and welcoming child-friendly play space. All areas used for childminding are conducive to learning. Resources are good, fit for purpose and support children's learning and development competently. The childminder has effective systems in place to promote diversity and equality and to meet children's individual needs. She works with the local school to ensure her planning incorporates various festivals and cultures. This successfully promotes children's understanding of the world around them

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the early years provision

The childminder's self-evaluation procedures are in their infancy. However, she has made a good start in reflecting on the care and education she offers to the children. She accurately identifies the strength of the activities on offer and has clear plans for the future. As a result, she is committed to securing ongoing improvement and promoting good outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents and regularly seeks their views through questionnaires, one-to-one feedback and meetings. Children are developing effectively in their learning in the care of this experienced childminder. The childminder has very strong relationships with parents and ensures documentation is up to date. This is consistently available to them, to enable them all to meet the children's well-being and safety overall. Good quality methods are in place to aid the working partnership with other settings children attend, such as preschools and schools, which in turn promotes consistency of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are self-confident and feel safe in the care of this childminder. The childminder is committed to promoting children's development and stimulates their learning through good quality activities and interaction. She successfully tailors learning to meet their individual interests and developmental stages. All children receive good one-to-one support. They enjoy, and often seek, emotional support and reassurance through cuddles, eye contact and consistent interaction. This enables them to feel safe and secure. The children are provided with meaningful activities, which promote good learning outcomes. The childminder's secure understanding of how children learn helps the children develop and achieve their full potential. Children's profiles and planning are in place, although not fully reflective of the children's progression, attainment and next steps. However, the children do experience the six areas of learning daily, and the childminder is fully

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and outcomes for children

aware of how she can promote learning outcomes for all children, which meets the children's individual needs effectively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children confidently access toys and resources and become absorbed in their chosen games. They enjoy adult-led activities, such as playing with the block shape sorters. Children develop their understanding of sequencing and problem solving, for example, as they move their chosen shape into the correct slots. They play with balls in the garden, figuring out how many are missing, discussing the sizes, numbers and shapes. The childminder supports the children's learning effectively as she questions and talks to them about their activities. Children become excited when the childminder plays football games with them. They master new ball skills and clearly enjoy running and chasing the childminder before

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy exploring creative activities. They explore and create pictures with a variety of paints, pens and pencils. Their smaller muscle movements and imaginations are further promoted as they play with dough and make cakes and biscuits. These activities support the children's creative development very well. The children have a good range of physical play equipment available to them in the garden, such as climbing frames, slides, bikes and cars. They enjoy regular outings in the local environment, such as attending local children's groups and visiting parks. This encourages them to be active on a regular basis.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good overall, which is due to the childminder's consistent approach, as she praises positive behaviour and encourages children to show respect and care for others. They move around freely, making their own decisions about what to do. Children develop understanding of technology as they enjoy using simple programmable toys and explore letter sounds and numbers, developing useful skills for their future lives as they do so. Children demonstrate a good awareness of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. For example, they do topic work on healthy living and at meals times the childminder explains about nutrition. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to healthy eating. She works with the parents to supply nutritious snacks and drinks, which children enjoy according to their individual routines. Children have regular opportunities to develop their understanding of safety, such as learning the importance of the fire

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and outcomes for children

drill. They learn about keeping themselves safe whilst out in the community and playing at the local parks. The childminder teaches them about crossing the road and the different things to look for. As a result, children develop a good understanding of personal safety. 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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