Summerfield Education Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 133531 Inspection date 16/11/2011 Inspector Tom Radcliffe

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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 was originally registered in 1989. She lives with her husband and one adult child in Hook Norton, a rural village in North West Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children under five all day and three children over five after school. The childminder also provides care for two children over eight years of age after school. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She walks to local schools to collect children and attends local carer and toddler groups. The family has pet rabbits, fish and a dog.

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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

The experienced childminder provides children with a range of interesting and appropriate play opportunities. Consequently they make good progress in their learning, overall. The childminder has a good understanding of children's individuality and is well placed to meet their learning and welfare needs. Children are able to make choices, be independent and talk about the activities that they take part in. An effective use of self-evaluation enables the childminder to continually improve her provision to improve 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 use of observational assessments to match children's achievement to the expectations of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The thoughtful use of written policies and procedures is used to inform parents about the service that is provided. This promotes the efficient management of the child-friendly provision. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues. This helps to ensure that children are safeguarded well, as procedures are implemented to protect their welfare. Children are supervised This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attentively and play in a safe environment. The childminder achieves through the use of thorough risk assessments to minimise potential hazards. Children are able to play safely indoors, outdoors and on local outings. This has a positive impact on children's confidence and learning. Children's good health and well-being is consistently promoted by the childminder. She is able to manage accidents and illness and implements hygienic daily routines.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates all aspects of her provision in order to identify any improvements that may be required. She gains feedback from parents and observes children to give her a valuable source of information about her provision. She is willing to modify what she does and has secured improvements since the last inspection. As an experienced childminder she is able to set targets and priorities for ongoing improvements. In addition she updates her skills through the use of training and professional development. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the role of effective partnerships. She has informal but effective links with parents to share information, discuss approaches and ways of meeting children's needs. She also develops secure partnerships with other settings to support children's ongoing learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children play in spacious accommodation and use a dedicated play room in the childminder's home. The childminder has ample toys and resources that support children's all round development. She supports children's choices well and stays close by to offer help and support. This ensures that play remains fresh and she can offer a new direction for play to go in, as required. This enhances children's enjoyment and their ability to make choices and decisions about their play. The provision is inclusive as all children are treated as individuals, each with the ability to build on what they can already do. In addition, children access activities and use resources that help them appreciate their diverse world in an age appropriate way.

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and outcomes for children

Children make progress and access a range of well planned play experiences. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's starting points and interests. She also has a good grasp of what motivates children to learn and play. The childminder observes children as they play to observe and understand the progress that they make and how they interact with others. Assessment information is shared with parents and used to plan future learning. Parents value this approach and feel that they have all the information that they need about their children's progress. The childminder uses assessment information to design the children's play environment which includes outdoor play and the use of local drop-in facilities. This helps to ensure that children's development is supported by interesting and challenging play opportunities. The childminder does not always use what she knows about children to track their actual progress towards early

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and outcomes for children

learning goals. However she does have a good all round understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. In addition she fully understands how young children learn through play and first hand experiences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy being able to make independent choices about what they do. They construct imaginative scenes with trains, tracks and vehicles. While doing this they take part in conversations about characters and what may be happening to them, promoting their language and communication. They meet mathematical ideas through practical experiences. They are able to recognise number, count and talk about different shapes. They also enjoy playing with electronic toys, construction sets and messy play resources. The childminder develops their spoken language effectively and shares books with children regularly. Children also respond well

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and outcomes for children

when they work with an adult lead. They enjoy useful learning experiences as they take part in cooking and walk to local shops. Children also use role play equipment and have opportunities to develop their early writing skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and emotional security is promoted by the childminder consistently well. Children grow with a good understanding of their own safety and that of others, through consistent discussion and reinforcement. They show good standards of cooperative behaviour. Children are able to share, take turns and include each other in their play. The childminder enables children to understand that all children are different. This takes place as children of different ages and capabilities mix within the childminder's home and when on outings. Children are able to engage themselves in play for long periods of time. In addition they understand that harmonious play often depends on their own behaviour and attitude to others.

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and outcomes for children

Outcomes for children are consistently promoted by the childminder. Children settle very well, make choices and use their imaginations. They freely explore play space and usually show enthusiasm for what they decide to do. Children also have a trusting and secure relationship with the childminder. This boosts their self- esteem and provides a good basis for learning and development. Children have a good understanding of healthy lifestyles and choices. They talk about healthy food and value exercise while understanding the importance of personal hygiene. Children respond well to challenge and the expectations that are placed on them as young learners. Children acquire skills and abilities which are age appropriate. Their progress ensures that most children are prepared well for future learning needs. 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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