Malton Montessori School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 145497 Inspection date 03/11/2011 Inspector Marie Thompson

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and their 13 year old child in the village of Winsley. The whole of the house apart from one bedroom is available to use for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

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 a maximum of six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding nine children on a part-time basis. The childminder does not provide overnight care. There are currently 20 children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a relevant qualification in childcare. The family has two dogs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are at home and thrive in the child-orientated environment. They receive excellent support from the childminder. She spends her time actively involved in their play, extending their learning and development. The partnership with parents and others is exceptional. This ensures that all adults work together to support and meet children's individual needs. The childminder is very motivated to improve her provision of high quality care. Her capacity for continuous improvement is excellent. Overall, she is developing her systems for self-evaluation.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further self-evaluation skills, assessing what the setting offers against robust and challenging criteria.

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the early years provision

The utmost priority is given to ensuring that children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has a superb understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She has excellent measures in place to ensure children's safety at all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 times. She undertakes thorough risk assessments and is aware of how to keep children safe on outings. As a result, children feel extremely safe and secure in their environment, and are ready to learn. Policies and procedures are detailed, carefully catalogued and regularly reviewed. These reflect her practice and provision accurately. Overall, the childminder demonstrates an excellent commitment to ongoing improvement. She generally reflects on her practice to identify strengths and areas for development. However, there is capacity for improving the current system, to ensure all areas of the provision are given equal

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the early years provision

attention, to assess what the setting offers against robust and challenging criteria.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes excellent partnerships with parents based on mutual respect. All parents receive comprehensive, regular information about their children's progress. This is done through texts, e-mails, photographs, diaries and daily chats. Parents comment extremely highly on her reliability and her diligence. They value the high levels of information they receive, her flexibility and her willingness to work in partnership during children's different developmental stages, such as potty training or starting school. The childminder has superb links with other Early Years Foundation Stage provisions that children attend. Working closely with these provisions helps ensure smooth transitions to the next setting, and provides excellent continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

Children thrive in the extremely well organised and resourced indoor and outdoor environment. The creative organisation and use of rich, varied and quality resources enables all children to self-select and be fully included in all activities. This means they develop high levels of independence. They learn to make choices about the toys they wish to play with. They are encouraged to get plenty of fresh air to promote their good health. The promotion of equality and diversity is an integral part of the daily programme. Children learn to value themselves and respect difference in others, so they can grow up making a positive contribution to society. The childminder has a clear understanding of inclusive practice. She has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the best way to nurture children's individuality, to meet their welfare and learning needs. She does all she can to help children develop their potential through exciting play.

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and outcomes for children

Children excel in the excellent care of the childminder. She clearly enjoys her relationships with them and their families. She is very patient and is skilled in ensuring that each child receives individual time and attention. Praise and encouragement promote children's self-esteem and ensure that they develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude to learning. Children are valued as unique individuals. The childminder's passion for promoting the outcomes for all children is at the heart of her practice. This makes children feel very safe. Children play in a stimulating environment. They access an extensive range of high quality resources from picture-labelled boxes and cupboards. In addition, the childminder has devised a picture catalogue of resources to aid children's self-selection. There is an excellent balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Very good use is made This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

of spontaneous everyday experiences to follow children's questions and interests. Children enjoy a wealth of learning opportunities which are fun and help to develop many skills for the future. For example, dressing up, playing shops or post offices and having tea parties, all encourage imagination and help children learn about their world in a safe environment. Cooking activities introduce children to a range of useful mathematical processes. Children thoroughly enjoy going to the local shops or supermarkets to buy the ingredients for this activity. They have many opportunities to develop their creative skills. They paint, draw and experiment with colour, texture and a range of materials. The childminder skilfully challenges and extends children's thinking by asking open questions. This also helps children make connections in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a substantial understanding of each child's individual needs. She has tailored planning around children's next steps and this helps them to make significant progress in their learning. The childminder supports and extends the children's learning and development meticulously. For example, they learn about the cycle of life through topics such as 'All about me' and stories and resources about animals, for example butterflies and frogs, as well as the plants that they have grown from seeds. These activities significantly enhance the children's skills to help them to make sense of the world. The play environment is adorned with positive images of different cultures, ethnicity, gender and disability. Resource books and packs aid children's knowledge. The childminder is enthusiastic and wholly committed to providing the highest level of provision to support children's care and learning. She dedicates every part of her working day to creating the best

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and outcomes for children

possible outcomes for all children in her care. Consequently, children are extremely motivated learners and make excellent progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children relish the opportunity for free-flow play between the house and garden. They move freely and comfortably between the two. This provides daily fresh air and exercise. The outdoor area is particularly well resourced and imaginatively laid out, covering all six areas of learning effectively. Children's physical development is encouraged by the use of the climbing frames, going to gym activities and walking along the nature trail at Brokers Wood. They enjoy outings to Longleat Safari Park, the cinema and swimming pool. Children had great fun at Trowbridge Country Park where they looked at the animals and had a snack in the cafe. Hygiene practices are exemplary and healthy lifestyles are actively promoted, in order to fully promote the very good health of the children attending. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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