Parkside Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 107398 Inspection date 20/03/2012 Inspector Linda Coccia

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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 1993. She lives with her partner and three children in the Kennington area of the London Borough of Southwark. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time; of these, up to three children may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding four children between the ages of 16 months and four years who are all within the early years age range. The childminder is available to walk to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent/toddler groups and local childminding group.

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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's extensive knowledge of each child's needs makes sure that she is highly effective in promoting children's welfare and learning. Activities are challenging and innovative which means that children are highly motivated. Overall, parents' involvement in their children's learning and development is excellent. The childminder regularly evaluates her service and the activities provided for children. She implements changes following discussion with parents. This shows she is highly effective in maintaining the continuous improvement of her setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 strengthening the procedures to allow parents regular opportunities to add to the written records.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her setting in an exemplary manner. She has numerous excellent procedures in place to help her safeguard children. For example, she has compiled the children's emergency contact details on laminated cards so that they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are available to her during outings. This means that parents are contactable in an emergency. All adults who reside on the premises hold current Criminal Record Bureau enhanced disclosures. The childminder's regulatory paperwork is meticulously completed. Her risk assessments are very thorough and carried out regularly. Children learn about keeping themselves safe because they use the childminder's excellent procedures for emergency evacuation and road safety. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. Children's well-being is thoroughly considered.

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the early years provision

The childminder has thoroughly evaluated her service. She primarily uses comments from parents and children in her evaluation but has also sought the views of childminder colleagues and her network co-ordinator. She has identified some areas for improvement relating these to the benefit they will have on the children. For example, she is improving the content of the learning journeys for each child to enable her to plot their progress in their development and learning in a more exacting manner. She uses the space in her home extremely well and regularly changes the layout to enhance children's play, such as using large boxes for role-play activities. Children regularly visit exciting venues with the childminder. For example, they visit Chinatown to see the festivities for Chinese New Year. The range of toys and activities available are highly stimulating and encourage children to be interested and inquisitive learners.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of equality and diversity issues and enthusiastically promotes these with the children in all areas of their learning. This means that children readily accept that everyone is different. The childminder teaches the children about different countries of the world which leads to learning about cultural differences. The wealth of posters and toys depicting different people and abilities are constant reminders for children. The childminder provides a fully inclusive service for all children. She works extremely closely with other carers and educational professionals in order provide exceptional support for children in the different areas of their lives. The childminder is highly effective in engaging with parents and they report that they are extremely satisfied with the service offered. Parents know about their children's well-being because the childminder provides informative daily diaries, instructive conversation, and useful

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the early years provision

texts and emails. One interviewed parent stated that the childminder was primarily responsible for his child's smooth transition to school. She did this by providing enthusiastic conversation and regular visits to school to help the child understand about the imminent changes in his life. Through the extensive exchange of information children receive excellent consistent care.

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish with the childminder. Her highly effective procedures for settling new children into her care include visits to their home. She collects extensive information about their interests and abilities. This means that children settle quickly. They are confident, inquisitive and happily chat with visitors. They direct This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their own play and request activities they know are available. This shows they feel extremely safe and secure in the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in activities which are challenging and use toys which are of excellent quality. Children regularly review their learning with the childminder. For example, they plant vegetable seeds and watch them grow. They look at photographs of how they planted them and use their reasoning skills to select the correct order of the corresponding 'what comes next' cards. They make excellent use of books as they choose to sit quietly and look at pictures on their own. They also like to selecting books for the childminder to read. The childminder points out words as she reads to help children understand the link between verbal and written communication.

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and outcomes for children

Children choose their own music to dance and sing along to and are creative with an extensive range of craft mediums. For example, glitter paper and skin colour crayons. The children develop their sensory skills through the use of innovative equipment. For example, by using pencils with a tree bark outer texture, or smelling different spices brought back from trips abroad. Children plan their outings with the childminder. They choose their favourite places to visit as well as visiting new ones during festivals or for topics. They particularly like the local market where they buy fresh food for their snacks. They are totally involved in selecting foods and paying for them. They enthusiastically use cameras and computers that help to develop their ICT skills. They also have many excellent opportunities to help them develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder keeps excellent written learning and development records on the children. She has chosen to keep these in writing, as it is not a requirement to do so. However, parents do not have regular opportunities to add their own written contributions to the records. The records clearly show that children are making significant gains in their learning and development and are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals. They are building an excellent repertoire of skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children engage in excellent self-care activities such as taking themselves to the toilet and using the childminder's excellent hygiene procedures. They understand about germs and help to stop the spread of infection by regularly wiping their own noses. They willingly help the childminder to clean the workspaces. Children eat food which is healthy and nutritious. The snack choices are extensive and encourage children to try different types of foods. The childminder regularly discusses children's individual dietary needs with their parents. She displays a daily menu showing a balanced selection of meals and snacks which children have helped to choose.

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and outcomes for children

The children take supervised risks in their physical play, such as jumping from different heights, climbing and balancing. They talk about what their bodies need in order to grow big and strong. Children adopt healthy lifestyles because the childminder is outstanding in promoting healthy eating and active play. Children show concern for each other when they are feeling poorly. They readily take turns and share toys and equipment and usually manage to control their own behaviour because they know the childminder's house rules so well. The childminder uses This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 excellent active listening skills. This means that children's choices are valued and acted upon. They make positive contributions to the setting on a daily basis and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. 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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