Overthorpe Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior, Infant and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 107708 Inspection date 30/11/2011 Inspector Lynne Lewington

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder mainly uses the ground floor for childminding, with rest facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family keeps chickens.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She drives to local schools to collect children. The childminder attends the local parent toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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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

Children make excellent progress in this warm, nurturing and interesting homely environment. They experience a broad range of activities enabling them to develop their individual interests and skills in all areas of learning. The childminder has an excellent awareness of how to nurture and meet individual needs. Overall, she has an effective working relationship with parents and involves them in all aspects of their children's care and learning. She shows enthusiasm and passion for her role and has an excellent capacity for continuous development.

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further?

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

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further?

 involving parents further in their child's continuous learning and development by improving opportunities for sharing records of observations and development plans.

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the early years provision

The childminder prioritises safeguarding children. A clear safeguarding policy is made available to all parents which informs them of her role and responsibilities in reporting concerns. She demonstrates an excellent awareness of the action she would take if she was concerned about a child in her care. Hazards throughout the premises have been minimised to promote the children's safety. For example, the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 front door is secure, and chemicals are stored securely away from children. The childminder organises space particularly effectively to provide the children with a wealth of opportunities using a variety of play activities and experiences. The well equipped playroom leads from the kitchen area and provides an excellent variety of good quality age appropriate resources. The children can self select their play items enabling a high level of independence and self reliance. The broad variety of

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the early years provision

resources encourages all areas of learning and development exceptionally well.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of the importance of effective communication and develops secure relationships with parents and others involved in children's care. She shares information face-to-face on a daily basis and uses daily diaries which include information about activities and the progress children are making. Daily contact provides good opportunities to discuss children's individual needs and enables the childminder to get to know each child well. Parents know that they can see their children's development records at any time. However, the childminder does not routinely share these with them to involve them further in their children's learning. Regular contact and conversations with pre-school staff enable an excellent understanding to develop between all involved with each child.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes extensive steps to help children learn about wider society. Children take part in activities related to traditional and cultural events which increases their awareness of important events in people's lives. There is an excellent range of resources that reflect diversity. Welcome posters in different languages are displayed and used by children. For example, they learn how to say hello in French. A clear policy regarding equality and diversity is in place and reflects the childminder's strong commitment to supporting all children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has high expectations for the service that she provides. She reflects knowledgeably on her practice and accurately identifies aspects for further development. She has addressed the recommendation from her previous inspection and keeps her knowledge and skills up-to-date through training opportunities. This includes undertaking at least two training events a year relevant to her role. She also keeps abreast of developments in childcare by regularly sharing ideas and practice with other providers and by reading various publications. Parents comment very highly on the quality of the service offered.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise, receive lots of encouragement to eat healthy meals and drink plenty of milk and water. They develop a high level of awareness of healthy routines such as hand washing and nose blowing which help to prevent the spread of germs. Meal and snack times are social happy occasions where the children sit together at the table to enjoy their food. This also enables the younger children to learn from their older playmates as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they chat about experiences and activities. Children have a responsible attitude to safety. For example, even the youngest children help to pick up items to prevent tripping as they help to tidy away.

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent relationships with the childminder who understands them exceptionally well. These positive relationships enable children to feel confident and secure in her care and consequently make the best of the learning opportunities available to them. Children can self select toys and games throughout the day from a wide range of high quality age appropriate resources. In addition to this the childminder introduces ideas and activities which extend children's knowledge and skills. For example, using photographs, card and glue they produce a calendar gift. Children make choices and use various physical skills in the process. They position the hole punch and spread the glue to fix the photo and calendar. The childminder is skilled at encouraging children to think about what they are doing by chatting to them as they concentrate on the task in hand. She skilfully encourages children, taking account of their abilities and lending a

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and outcomes for children

hand when required. She offers meaningful praise that encourages individual children and encourages others to behave in a similar way. Self esteem is encouraged exceptionally well as the children are encouraged to feel proud of their achievements and develop their independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children have easy access to high quality fact and fiction books and various writing materials which help them develop early communication skills. Young children demonstrate an excellent grasp of language as they ask questions, talk out aloud as they undertake activities and express feelings and ideas. Children sort, count and match as they play games together, building with construction toys and completing puzzles. Regular cookery activities, such as making soup, increase their awareness of healthy eating and encourage their physical skills as they cut the vegetables. It also shows them how food changes when it is cooked. They learn about the natural world as they visit many local nature parks, feed the chickens in the garden and talk about and experience the changing weather. Outings in the local community provide many opportunities to learn about the wider world, the people who help us, and the local community. These positive experiences enable

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and outcomes for children

children to develop their social skills with both children and adults. Behaviour is exemplary. Children demonstrate good manners in their interactions with each other and the childminder. They share, take turns and demonstrate an increasing awareness of the feelings of others. 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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