Brimsdown Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 101979 Inspection date 29/09/2011 Inspector Helen Steven

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in June 1992. She lives with her partner, adult daughter and eight-year-old son in a three bedroom maisonette in the London borough of Camden. A lounge and kitchen diner are the main areas used for childminding purposes. There is a secure patio garden for children's outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. She currently has two part- time children on roll in the early years age range.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, warm and welcoming environment where their individual needs are supported well. The childminder provides a wide range of activities for the children and overall, ensures that they are making good progress in their learning and development. The documentation required to promote the safe and effective management of the setting is in place and well maintained. The childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to continually improve her service. She has good relationships with parents, carers and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to support children's ongoing care and learning.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the systems for self-evaluation to build on areas of strength as well identifying priorities to continuously improve outcomes for children  strengthen the planning of activities and monitoring of children's progress towards the early learning goals  enable young children to develop good hygiene practices by encouraging them to routinely wash their hands prior to eating.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and is aware of where to seek guidance. She has attended ongoing training to ensure her knowledge is up to date and has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guidance to hand from the local authority. The childminder undertakes detailed risk assessments for each type of outing and for her home. She also undertakes a visual daily check prior to children arriving. The children make use of the space on the top level of her home where they can access a range of high quality toys and resources. Required documentation and relevant policies and procedures are maintained well in order to promote children's good health and welfare. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate, which enables her to deal appropriately with any accidents.

p.4

the early years provision

The process of self-evaluation is effective overall, although some areas of the childminder's practice are not fully considered. She uses an 'about me' document to reflect on her practice and includes the views of parents in the self-evaluation process. She demonstrates a strong ambition to improve her service by attending ongoing training. For example, she is booked onto a series of welfare and development workshops and has already updated her training in safeguarding children. She has also improved her record keeping which she identified as a weakness. Overall, the childminder's clear commitment to ongoing improvement benefits the children in her care.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates that she has a good knowledge of children's individual needs and provides a service that is inclusive for all children. Children are supported in valuing diversity through regular outings to local drop in groups where they can mix with others whose backgrounds are different to their own

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a very good relationship with parents and carers. She obtains useful information from them at the start of the placement and during verbal exchanges each day. They note that they are very pleased and feel confident with the level of care she provides. They confirm that she has made a significant contribution to their children's development. In addition, they feel their children have very good attachments to the childminder. The childminder is keen to work alongside other agencies as and when the need arises in order to support children's individual needs. She has good links with other settings that the children attend in order to share relevant information to provide children with continuity.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals as the childminder provides a range of interesting activities across all areas of learning. Children form good relationships with the childminder and her family. Children demonstrate confidence as they move freely between the indoor and outdoor areas choosing the resources they wish to play with. The childminder asks them to carry out simple tasks, such as placing the lid on their own drinks to encourage them to become independent. They behave well as the childminder has effective strategies in place to prevent and manage unwanted behaviour. Children's individual needs are known to the childminder and she meets these well. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has implemented systems to observe and monitor children's progress by using photographs, samples of their creative work and observations. Although

p.5

and outcomes for children

systems for planning and observation are established, the childminder acknowledges these are not consistent for each child.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Toddlers are encouraged to communicate, for example, by saying 'hello' when using toy phones. The childminder commentates throughout the day, asks questions and responds to communications, both non-verbal and verbal, to encourage their language development. Young children explore how to problem solve by placing items into different containers. They discover that large items cannot fit into the small toy kettle but many items can be hidden in the larger toy oven. Children enjoy peeping through the outer gate, watching local people go by. They take pleasure in pressing buttons on electronic toys and enjoy the sound effects made. Overall, the range of experiences provided helps all children to develop good skills for their future learning and development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Young children are not always encouraged to wash their hands prior to handling food. However, the childminder demonstrates how and when this is normally done in order to develop children's understanding of good personal hygiene. Children are provided with nutritious food in line with their dietary requirements. They can access drinking water at all times and they are reminded that they need to drink regularly as it is hot weather today. They benefit from free-flow access between indoors and outdoors affording them plenty of fresh air and exercise. In addition, local outings provide opportunities for physical activities. As a result, children are learning about adopting healthy lifestyles. Children are benefit from opportunities to take controlled risks. For example, they learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder encourages and supports them in using the slide safely. Children begin to develop an understanding of sustainability as they help the childminder

p.6

and outcomes for children

recycle household waste. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8