Alexandra Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 135746 Inspection date 14/03/2012 Inspector Seema Parmar

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and children aged 18, 14 and seven years in the area of New Southgate, in the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years of whom three may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children in the early years age range on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the children's centre, toddler groups, library and local parks.

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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 childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and develop. Systems for observations for monitoring children's learning and development are in place, and the childminder demonstrates her commitment to develop these further. Although the childminder keeps parents very well informed about their children's care and routines, she is aware she needs to include parents in their ongoing learning and development. The childminder is able to evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement in her provision and strives to improve the support and experiences she offers to children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the systems for observations, planning and assessment for children's learning  develop effective ways in which parents are supported and encouraged to share, contribute and update information, to become fully involved in their child's continuous learning and assessment .

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates that she has a good knowledge of how to safeguard children in her care. For example, she knows what to do if she has concerns about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child protection and is familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. The childminder is very conscious of aspects of safety, as she carries out visual checks daily and has written risk assessments in place to support safe practices. For example, indoor and outdoors risk assessments include identified potential hazards, the level of risk and preventative steps taken to reduce the risk.

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the early years provision

Resources are good, fit for purpose and support children's learning and development. The environment is conducive to learning, and helps ensure children are safe and well cared for. The childminder organises her home and play resources effectively in order to encourage children's independence. For example, children choose from an exciting and stimulating range of toys that are well presented.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a self-evaluation form identifying her strengths and areas to improve for her role as a childminder. She has a good understanding of what she needs to do, to further improve her knowledge, understanding and practice in meeting children's individual care and learning needs. For example, the childminder demonstrates her understanding of the importance of establishing links with the local early years team and to attend training to improve outcomes for children. Equality and diversity are threaded through many activities, so that children are gaining a strong awareness of the needs of others. This creates an inclusive environment that encourages children to feel a sense of belonging and promotes their self-esteem. The childminder has a positive attitude to developing and forming links with other providers to ensure continuity of care and learning for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has comprehensive records, polices and procedures that underpin all aspects of her day-to-day practice. Additionally, policies and procedures are shared well with parents. In addition, information displayed in the hallway of the premises allows parents to know of the childminder's ethos and practice. The childminder keeps parents verbally informed about their children's daily routine to ensure their individual needs are met. She also shares each child's individual profile with photographic evidence of their time spent with the childminder. However, the childminder has not developed ways to seek and share children's starting points, contribute and update information, for parents to become fully involved in their child's continuous learning and assessment.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy being with the childminder and present as being very settled, relaxed and happy. The childminder ensures that children participate in a wide range of exciting and challenging activities that engages all the senses, to help them make good progress in all areas of their learning and development. Planning is tailored to the needs of each individual as the childminder is flexible in her approach to children's learning and builds on their current interests. The childminder is beginning to record her observations of the children's progress. She uses these observations to plan activities. This helps children to take the next This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 steps in their learning journey. She is however; keen to make further improvements to her observational assessments to further enhance children's learning towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder; they are engaged, happy and interested in their play. The childminder builds on children's experiences through actively being involved in their play and learning. For example, she sits on the floor and engages very well, talking, praising and smiling with the children. Children demonstrate a sense of security and confidence as they easily approach the childminder if they need help or would like a change of activity. Children develop their problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills very well. To cite an example, children investigate and explore a playhouse with different numbered keys that they then have to locate on the different doors with the same number. Children show their interest and excitement as they continue with this activity. They first ring a door bell and then try to fit the key into a lock and do so successfully by opening a door to revealing a toy 'mummy' or 'daddy', figurine. Children have daily

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to visit a variety of toddler groups, the local children's centre, indoor soft play centres and parks. This provides further learning experiences and opportunities, in order to extend their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep safe, as the childminder gives gentle reminders and supervises them vigilantly as they play. In addition, children have fire drill practice to build their understanding of emergency evacuation procedures, to ensure they are kept safe at all times. Overall, children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure within the childminder's care, which supports children to develop many valuable skills and set secure foundations for their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children's good health is promoted. Children learn good hygiene practices, as they learn about the importance of hand washing. Children are provided with healthy and nutritious snacks that consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, children have good opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise. For example, they visit the local parks developing their large muscle skills, as they climb, jump, run and play on the apparatus.

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and outcomes for children

Children's confidence and self-esteem is very well promoted as the childminder encourages and praises the children when they do something well. Experiences provided, resources available and interaction from the childminder help also to ensure children 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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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