The Woodbridge Park Education Service

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 131201 Inspection date 11/10/2011 Inspector Maxine Coulson

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 registered in 1997. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her adult child in a three bedroom semi-detached house in a cul-de-sac in the village of Gawcott, on the outskirts of Buckingham. Childminding takes place on the whole of the ground floor only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for the children's outside play. Her home is within walking distance of local parks, pre- school and school.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of 8 years; of these three may be in the early years age group. She currently has eight children on roll; of these, three are in the early years age range and two are over the age of 8 years. Children attend for various days and sessions. The family have one cat.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers all children and their parents a warm and friendly welcome. She generally ensures there are suitable opportunities for children to make progress in their learning and development. Systems for planning activities and monitoring children's achievements are being developed. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to offering an inclusive environment. The childminder is beginning to develop an awareness of the value of reflecting on her practice to help maintain steady continuous improvement. There are some lapses in meeting all the legal welfare requirements, mainly linked to documentation.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 engage with parents and ensure they are fully informed of all policies and procedures . (Safeguarding and welfare) 28/10/2011

p.4

further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 28/10/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop the use of observations by linking them to the six areas of learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and using them to plan children's next steps in their progress towards the early learning goals  refresh knowledge of safeguarding children to be fully up-to-date with any recent changes to child protection issues and procedures.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has satisfactory arrangements in place to safeguard children. She understands her responsibility to report any allegations or concerns about the children's welfare. However, her knowledge and awareness of child protection issues and procedures has not been updated for a considerable length of time. There are appropriate systems in place to check people who have regular contact with the children are suitable to do so. Risk assessments and daily checking systems help to ensure that the environment is safe for children. However, on risk assessment documentation it is not clearly recorded by whom and when the risk assessment was completed. This is a breach of the welfare requirements. The childminder keeps a clean and well-maintained home, with space for children to move around freely. She makes a wide range of suitable toys available to children and adapts activities so all ages can participate. However, she sometimes does not

p.5

the early years provision

use the resources to extend learning effectively.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works reasonably well with parents and ensures that a personal welcome is given to everyone. This promotes suitable levels of communication and creates a sense of belonging. However, parents are not fully informed of the childminder's policies and procedures, including safeguarding; this is a breach of the welfare requirements. The childminder does, however, ensure she has written agreements, permission forms and clear information about the children, to help meet their individual needs. This demonstrates her positive attitude to inclusion and support for all the families. Each day parents receive sound verbal feedback about their child's care and achievements. Parents' comments express how happy they are with the childminder's care and how much their children enjoy coming to her; they describe her as reliable, trustworthy and accommodating. A generally positive relationship with others who provide the Early Years Foundation Stage is in

p.5

the early years provision

place. The childminder is developing a commitment towards continuous improvement and is aware of the benefits of reflecting on her practice. She is beginning to use a self-evaluation record, identifying some areas for development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder generally understands the type of activities and experiences required to promote children's learning and development. She ensures that children enjoy a suitable range of activities across most areas of learning, which take account of their interests and needs. The childminder knows the children in her care well and identifies what they can do and what they enjoy. However, she is not using this information to help her effectively plan children's next steps of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning to ensure they make as much progress as they can towards the early learning goals.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Warm relationships are clearly in evidence and the children are settled and confident. They freely approach the childminder and enjoy close contact through activities. For example, they snuggle up on her lap as they draw pictures together identifying different coloured pencils. Hands are drawn round and fingers and thumbs counted. Children enjoy books and songs and have access to toys and resources that promote imagination and role-play. They visit the local community to play with toys and resources that promote positive images of diversity. They are beginning to learn about the wider world and their place in it. The children are developing some skills for the future as they learn to take instruction and share. Consistent praise from the childminder means they are developing positive self- esteem. Their confidence is growing as they make independent choices about their play.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are successfully learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy healthy snacks, such as a variety of different fruits and have free access to drinks so that they can help themselves when they are thirsty. The childminder promotes their good health by taking positive steps to reduce the risk of cross infection and children adopt effective hygiene practices. Children enjoy daily fresh air by going on walks to and from school or visiting the local park. They access a very wide range of toys in the garden that promote their physical development well. Children explore, play and learn in a secure environment. They are beginning to learn about safe practice. For example, they know house rules and are aware of the need to follow instructions when they practise fire evacuation procedures. Children develop a sense of security and awareness of hazards, which impacts positively on their ability to keep themselves safe.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 childminders must have a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 25/10/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 28/10/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises) 28/10/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 28/10/2011

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises) 28/10/2011

p.8