Axe Valley Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 144392 Inspection date 14/12/2011 Inspector Siobhan O'Callaghan

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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and their adult daughter in Stoke Newington in the London Borough of Hackney. The home is close to local shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. Children also have access to the living room and bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed patio area to the front of the house that can be used by children under supervision.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. Of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group and one child after school. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and childminding support groups.

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

The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive home environment for all children. Their welfare is effectively maintained through many good practices alongside secure safeguarding procedures. Children are supported to make good progress overall in their learning and development. There are generally successful partnerships with parents and schools that older children attend which supports children's continuity of care and learning. The childminder has developed positive self-evaluation systems which overall support continuous improvement within the provision.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further opportunities for parents to review their children's progress and contribute to their children's learning and development assessments  develop further self-evaluation systems to include the views of parents/children and carers on the care and learning you provide and use this information to implement improvements in the provision.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has established a successful range of policies and procedures to support her childminding practices. She has secure systems in place to ensure that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 all adults in the home undergo essential suitability checks. She has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures. She is aware of her duty to work in partnership with parents and outside agencies to promote children's welfare. The childminder organises a safe and secure home environment for children. She has effective risk assessments in place to monitor and remove potential hazards to children. She ensures that all outings that she enjoys with children are carefully planned and organised prior to the event.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder organises an accessible and child friendly home environment. Children are able to make independent choices from a broad range of resources. There is a good focus on promoting equality and diversity. For example, all children are supported to join in with the activities available as the childminder effectively engages their attention. They have good access to resources which promote a positive view of the diverse community in which they live. The childminder works effectively with parents to support their home routines so that children's individual care needs are met. She has established positive relationships with the schools that children attend. They communicate regularly to support children's continuous care and learning. Recent parental questionnaires demonstrate that parents' are very happy with the services provided. Parents' comments include, 'My childminder is fantastic I trust her judgement without

p.5

the early years provision

hesitation. She is fair and encourages children to develop good social skills such as sharing and showing consideration to others.' And 'We are very happy with the care our child receives. Whenever we pick him up he is full of energy and is clearly very happy.' These successful partnerships support children's continuity of care. Although, the childminder is yet to fully engage parents in their children's observation and learning assessments.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to developing her provision as well as her own knowledge and skills. Since her last inspection she has attended numerous courses to enhance her practices with children. For example, she has attended courses to further develop children's opportunities to explore mathematical concepts through singing and fun games. She has attended training to support her in developing further children's early communication skills. Consequently she is duly focused on improving learning outcomes for children. She has also attended training within first aid and safeguarding children to support her in promoting children's welfare. The childminder has developed positive self- evaluation tools to reflect on her practices and to help initiate improvements. However, she is yet to fully include parents and children's views to enable them to be involved within these processes.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of how young children learn. She plans an interesting range of activities and experiences to support children's learning both indoors and out in the local community. Children enjoy opportunities to engage in both adult-led and free play experiences. They respond well to the childminder's positive interaction as she sensitively extends This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their learning through their play. For example, she explores number concepts and problem solving skills through stories and singing songs. The childminder maintains bright and informative observations of children's achievements. She includes lots of photos of the children at play and effectively links these into the six areas of learning. There are clear next steps recorded for their future learning to ensure that all children are supported to make progress.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and comfortable in their environment. They confidently initiate their own play and make their wishes known. For example, they inform the childminder when they have had enough to drink or when they want more fruit. Children help themselves to a good range of resources which are well organised to promote their independence and safety. They are developing good communication and language skills as the childminder continually speaks with them and encourages their self-expression. Children enjoy opportunities to be creative. They sit and concentrate for long periods of time as they make Christmas cards with glitter and different materials. They are confident to build with bricks and to play with trains as they learn how to effectively use these resources. Children have good opportunities to be active and to develop their physical skills. They enjoy participating in energetic action rhymes where they jump and hop as they pretend

p.6

and outcomes for children

to be little bunny rabbits. The childminder also plans daily trips to the local park and toddler groups where children can climb, run and generally be energetic.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is promoted through many successful practices within the setting. For example, the childminder teaches children about the importance of personal safety, and following responsible rules. Older children are supported to make their own traffic lights as they learn how these help them to cross roads safely. It is evident that children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care; they enjoy her cuddles and warm interaction. Children's health and well-being is given due focus. For example, children are offered healthy meals and snacks and follow good personal hygiene habits. They are developing polite and respectful behaviour as they respond well to the childminder's calm and patient disposition. She encourages children to cooperate and to share resources as she focuses on praising their responsible behaviour. Overall, children are developing many valuable skills which help to set secure foundations for their future learning.

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 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

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