Highfields Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 138083 Inspection date 23/01/2012 Inspector Liz Caluori

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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 registered in 1988. She lives with her husband and three of their children, two of whom are adults and one is aged 12 years. The family lives in Morden, in the London Borough of Merton. They have three pet cats, a small dog and a rabbit. Childminding generally takes place on the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside 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 may care for a maximum of four children under eight years; of these, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for one child who is in the early years age group. There were no children present at the time of the inspection.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends toddler groups 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are provided with a clean, stimulating and very child-centred environment in which to play and learn. The childminder's records and photographs evidence the good progress that they make in their all-round development. Excellent arrangements are in place to promote children's safety and well-being and good focus is also placed on respecting diversity. The childminder has a strong commitment to ongoing improvement and is supported by generally effective recording systems and working practices. She maintains very positive relationships with parents, carers and other professionals in order to provide consistency and coordinated care.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the systems for monitoring children's progress in order to more clearly identify the rate at which they are progressing, and to identify any gaps in their achievements.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being is exceptionally well prioritised. Extremely vigorous risk assessments are undertaken to identify any potential hazards and these are constantly reviewed and updated to reflect the changing needs of the children attending. The childminder implements a number of safety precautions including This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 providing children with high visibility jackets to wear when out and about. A range of clear and up-to-date written policies outline the arrangements to be followed should any concerns arise about children's well-being. The childminder also regularly attends child protection training to ensure that her knowledge remains current.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a broad range of processes and recording systems in place and overall, these are extremely effective in supporting her in the efficient running of her service. She undertakes observations of children as they play. She uses these to plan activities which she is confident they will enjoy and which will promote their development. She has yet to establish an effective arrangement to use this information in order to monitor the rate at which children are progressing, in order to easily identify any gaps in achievement.

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the early years provision

Effective self-evaluation and an extremely strong commitment to training helps the childminder to recognise the strengths and address the weaknesses of her service. The views of parents and carers are also sought on a regular basis. They express very high levels of satisfaction with the care their children receive and the progress they are making. The childminder also has effective arrangements in place to foster similarly good partnerships with other early years settings attended by the children.

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the early years provision

Children are provided with a very good range of well maintained and attractively presented toys and resources. These are specifically aimed at promoting all areas of their development and are stored at a low-level for them to select independently. The childminder's garden is also well equipped and inviting with resources to promote children's physical development, as well as items such as water trays. The childminder also makes very good use of the facilities local to her, such as parks and libraries, to offer children a greater range of experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder has experience of working with children from diverse backgrounds. She liaises with parents and carers to ensure that she fully understands their family background and any traditions or beliefs which are followed. She also organises events and activities to support children in learning about the lives and customs of others, including a recent trip to a Mosque. There are also toys which reflect positive images of different people including those with disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a range of strategies in place to support children in feeling secure and to learn how to keep themselves and others safe. She understands their need to have a carefully planned period of settling-in and ensures that they are aware of all routines and boundaries in place. She also supports them in developing practical skills, such as safe road crossing and organises for them an opportunity to meet with the local 'lollipop' person. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder's observation records show that children take part in experiences and activities which are specifically planned to cover all areas of learning. She also has written records, which she shares with parents and carers. These indicate the next steps that she has identified to promote their child's development. These indicate that children are making good progress in relation to their ages and

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and outcomes for children

starting points. Children benefit from the opportunities they receive to explore their environment and choose the activities they wish to take part in. Much of the time spent in the childminder's home is used for children to play freely and this supports them in becoming independent in their learning. However, they also take part in a range of more adult-directed activities, such as cooking, which help them to develop and reinforce their understanding and to develop important life skills. Their communication, language and literacy are promoted through regular conversations, looking at books and very frequent opportunities practising mark- making. Similar focus is placed on promoting their problem solving and numeracy with activities such as puzzles, matching and sorting games and work to learn about numbers.

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and outcomes for children

Children attend local groups. This helps them to develop their social skills by mixing with familiar and new friends. They also spent a lot of time outdoors, playing in the fresh air and engaging in more physical games. Within the childminder's home, children are able to use a range of electronic and information communication and technology equipment, including cameras and computers. The childminder's records indicate that they are becoming very proficient in this area. Collectively, these activities help children to develop appropriate skills for the future. 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 1 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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