Newbury Hall School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 135819 Inspection date 07/10/2011 Inspector Samantha Smith

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 has been registered since 1988. She lives with her husband and adult children in Winchmore Hill, in the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and toilet facilities are available on the first floor if the premises. There is also an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

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 four children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding three children, all are in the early years age range and attend various sessions throughout the week. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 happy and well cared for in this safe and stimulating environment. Where their learning and welfare needs are effectively met by the childminder who knows them well. The childminder recognises their individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice. Children are making good progress in all areas of learning and are supported well through the positive interactions that they share with the childminder, who demonstrates a good understanding of her role to support them to learn new skills. Secure partnerships have been established with parents and the highly effective relationships have been established with other settings, providing a cohesive and consistent approach to support the children. The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice and uses this to identify areas of success. However, she has not yet extended this to identify areas for future improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the use of self-evaluation to highlight strengths as well as priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted well. All of the required documentation is in place for the safe and efficient running of the setting. Clear policies and procedures outline the important aspects of the service provided. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is proactive in safety matters. She has a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and recognises her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm and she supervises children vigilantly. Children are able to move freely around the home because the childminder takes effective steps to minimise hazards and supervises them at all times. Daily safety checks are completed before children arrive, in addition to comprehensive risk assessments of the premises, garden and outings. These are used effectively to monitor and reduce possible hazards.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has created a child-orientated, welcoming environment. Both the indoor and outdoor environment provides children with access to a good range of play materials and equipment that are well maintained and well stored. The childminder makes good use of local facilities, combining a range of home based play with visits to parent and toddler groups and other places of interest. The childminder plans and provides a good range of experiences relating to children's individual needs, interests and stages of development. This encourages children's learning and development and supports them in developing future skills. Various cultures and abilities are reflected in the range of resources provided and the childminder includes festival and cultural celebration in her planning. Information regarding children's development is recorded by the childminder in sensitive observations, illustrated by photographs and linked to a record system to track

p.5

the early years provision

their development. Records are shared periodically with parents and their observations and comments are included.

p.5

the early years provision

Good relationships are built with parents and result in information being shared well. On initial contact the childminder obtains in-depth information about the child from parents' and uses this to build positive relationships to support the care arrangement. There are a good range of comprehensive policies and procedures in place to complement the service and these are shared. Parents views are sought through six monthly questionnaires and their responses illustrate that they are happy with the care and learning their children receive. The childminder is highly committed to working in partnerships with other settings children attend. She has initiated effective relationships with them and uses information gathered from them effectively to support individual children's learning and development. For example, she incorporates her planning for individual children with the topics from the other settings and she maintains effective dialogue with staff and parents. This

p.5

the early years provision

has a positive impact on children's learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to attending training to the benefit of children. She has begun to use self-evaluation as a tool to highlight aspects of her practice that is working well. However, there is still some room for improvement to include possible areas for further development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy in the childminder's home and especially enjoy attending. They benefit from a well experienced childminder, who has an extensive knowledge of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child development and provides a broad range of well planned activities and play opportunities. They have developed warm, affectionate relationships and enjoy positive interactions with her and her family. This contributes to their sense of belonging and gives them confidence and security to explore their environment. The consistent daily routines help them to settle well. As a result they appear confident and secure in the childminder's care. They demonstrate this through their vocalization, smiles and expressions of excitement and pleasure. They move around freely and independently enjoying their play as they explore without restraint, both inside and outside of the environment.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder's organisation and good levels of support helps children to make progress in all areas of learning and gain new skills that they will use in the future. For example, young children develop their language skills because the childminder involves them in lots of conversation whilst engaging them in play. They are learning about the natural world as they explore the seasons and learn how to grow things. They become aware of nature and living creatures as they show an interest in the birds and squirrels that come into the childminder's garden. They have access to programmable musical toys and media equipment, which encourages their interest in information and technology. They are learning about size and volume as they investigate weight of different objects.

p.6

and outcomes for children

All children are treated with equal concern and respected individually. They have daily access to a range of play resources and books which provide positive images of diversity and also books that help children to deal with different life experiences such as dealing with loss and moving to a new school. The childminder knows their particular interests and responds to these by ensuring that their individual interests are reflected in the planning and through the provision of resources. She takes young children to local playgroups where they learn to mix with others and participate in a variety of activities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved and are busy and interested in their play. They take an active role in learning and they listen to the childminder and respond to her questions and conversation. Their achievements are praised and valued, increasing their self-confidence and encouraging their developing independence.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Their well-being and welfare are promoted in this safe and healthy environment, where they are beginning to become aware of good hygiene practice and personal safety. They learn about keeping themselves safe as they take part in regularly emergency evacuation practise and as the childminder highlights other dangers when they are out. They experience good hygiene procedures, such as regular hand washing and using wet wipes as part of the daily routine. They enjoy healthy meals and snacks provided by the parents, which the childminder ensures is heated up appropriately. Children sit comfortably at the child size table to eat their meals. They feed themselves with increasing independence which the childminder encourages through words of praise. 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 1 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 2 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