Boldon Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 108665 Inspection date 08/02/2012 Inspector Carol Cox

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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 partner and five year-old daughter adult daughter in the Toothill district of West Swindon. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has pet fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group and, of these, no more than one may be under one year at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age group. She is also registered on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

She has gained a level three qualification in childcare. She attends a local childminder's group regularly and works closely with a local school attended by minded children.

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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

The childminder provides excellent care for children who make very good progress in all areas of learning and development. Highly effective partnerships with parents and other settings contribute significantly to the excellent progress made by all children in relation to their starting points, ages and abilities. The childminder makes meticulous and detailed risk assessments to secure children's safety and well-being. Overall, resources are made easily accessible to children and these support and stimulate children's interests and curiosity. The childminder makes rigorous and thoughtful self-evaluations of her practice to maintain very high standards and continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extending opportunities for children's play and learning in the garden.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her provision very effectively to meet the individual needs of every child. She puts high priority on safeguarding children and attends This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regular training to consolidate her knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Board procedures. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring only those adults authorised to do so are allowed to collect children from her care. She maintains all necessary records and documentation meticulously and shares her comprehensive policies and procedures in writing with parents. Children enjoy freedom to explore and investigate her home and the wider world in safety because the childminder carries out extensive and detailed risk assessments of all aspects of her provision. She is vigilant in addressing all risks to children and taking pre-emptive action. For example, although she does not drive herself, she recently attended a car seat

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the early years provision

training session to ensure that when children are transported in cars they are safe. Arrangements have been made with local registered childminders to provide emergency care if needed, with full consent of parents. Children regularly practise fire evacuation procedures and these are carefully logged, along with details of all smoke detector checks. Children learn good self-help skills as they choose and access resources to support their play and learning. The childminder provides an extensive range of resources, which she makes accessible for children to access and choose. Some resources are homemade; some are recycled, and all are thoughtfully provided to excite and prompt children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children learn about their local community and the wider world through regular trips and visits. They enjoy activities which enhance their knowledge of how people live differently. For example, children have worked with the childminder to produce a beautiful scrapbook to show what they have found out about different countries. They choose the countries which reflect their own experiences or interests. The childminder keeps in constant contact with parents; meeting daily at collection times, sharing records of children's learning and daily diaries. She downloads photographs onto CDs so parents can see for themselves how their children enjoy themselves in her care. Through excellent relationships built with parents, the childminder is able to provide each child with rich experiences to support and promote their care, learning and development in all areas. In testimonials and questionnaires, parents report their 'great peace of mind during the working day',

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the early years provision

knowing their children enjoy such high quality care. To further secure consistent and high quality care, the childminder builds close links with key persons caring for minded children in other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very strong commitment to continually reviewing the quality of her provision and uses parental comments to inform her actions. She attends regular training to up date her skills and knowledge and maintain exceptionally high standards. For example, she has recently completed a level three qualification in childcare. Parents and children enjoy the security of the excellent care provided by this knowledgeable childminder in her very safe and welcoming home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn and an in- depth knowledge of each child's progress. This significantly enhances children's learning in all areas. Children have access to an extensive selection of toys, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources and tools to challenge and excite their curiosity and desire to learn. As the childminder's immediate storage space is limited, she provides a pictorial catalogue of her full range which children use to choose additional items. She maintains meticulous records of children's learning and reviews of their progress, which she shares regularly with parents. The childminder supports her good knowledge of child development by referring to the practice guidance of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which means that she is confident of planning activities to challenge and promote each child's learning and development. For example, on

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and outcomes for children

observing that children confidently identify and name primary colours, she plans activities to introduce tones and shades. The childminder is skilful at making sensitive interactions to offer further challenges and extend children's vocabularies. She uses children's own interests to extend learning. For example, she explains to a child that a moon shape can also be called a crescent. Children are enthusiastic about their learning and love to explore and experiment. With clear explanations that the hourglass icon means 'the computer is thinking what to do' children confidently use the computer, and even very young children begin to control and use the mouse. They demonstrate a good understanding of how things work and develop fine physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children of different ages and abilities work together on projects such as 'animals around the world'. They all contribute to the finished work and proudly point out their own pictures. Children learn about the needs of others through discussions and observations of people they meet on their daily excursions. The childminder uses simple sign language with them, which helps children understand how other people communicate. The childminder develops children's speech and language skills through meaningful discussions and they are challenged to think about their learning and choose their own activities. Children make superb progress in all areas and develop valuable skills to support their future learning. They become enthusiastic about learning and enjoy being challenged in the childminder's excellent care.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about healthy lifestyles through choosing and enjoying healthy and nutritious snacks and drinks. The childminder ensures children's individual dietary needs are meticulously identified and met through excellent partnerships with parents and others. Even young children learn good hygiene routines and demonstrate their thorough hand washing practice. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise, both inside and out. Although there is limited use of the garden, the childminder uses local play parks, groups and amenities to supplement opportunities for large physical play. The childminder is vigilant in observing children's health needs and works closely with parents and medical services to promote good outcomes. Through everyday activities, children learn about safety. They practise road crossing on daily walks and regularly take part in fire drills, which are recorded in detail, with all children taking part. Children behave

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and outcomes for children

exceedingly well and learn to interact with individual children and in larger groups. They begin to form friendships with others. One child talks animatedly about her friend who is away in New Zealand and finds his photograph. The childminder provides consistent support to help children learn how their behaviour may affect others and praises and encourages their thoughtful and kind behaviours. Children show a good sense of belonging in the childminder's home and thoroughly enjoy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her attention and well- informed nurturing. 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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