Sir Thomas Wharton Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 144364 Inspection date 26/03/2012 Inspector Jennifer Liverpool

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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 1996. She lives with her two children aged 11 and 13 years in Clapton, in the London Borough of Hackney, close to public transport, schools, parks and shops. The childminder's home is on the first floor of a block of flats, with no lift access. The lounge is used for childminding. She has a cat as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time; of these, no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for one child in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder goes to several toddler groups regularly. She is a member of an approved childminding network and also the National Childminder Association.

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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 provides effective policies and procedures that safeguard and promote children's well-being. Overall, children are making good progress in their learning and development, because the childminder interacts well with them and provides purposeful activities that appeal to their interests. In the main, the assessments are effective, but do not consistently cover children's progress in all areas of learning. The childminder has established good relationships with parents, but has not yet included their feedback in the evaluation of her provision. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity for ongoing improvement through her self-evaluation process.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self assessment process to include parents' views about the provision  strengthen the system for observation and assessment by monitoring children's progress across all areas of learning, to enhance their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is fully supported by the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues. The childminder has recently attended up- to-date training in child protection and safeguarding, and is able to demonstrate a good understanding of the procedures for recording and reporting matters of concern. Required procedures and records are in place and reflect the daily practices which contribute to the children's well-being. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments that enable her to identify and reduce potential hazards. She also regularly checks toys and equipment, to ensure that there are no broken parts that could harm the children. The childminder effectively deploys resources to meet the needs of the children. For example, she provides a good variety of toys and equipment that are developmentally appropriate for younger and older children. She makes good use of the local facilities to support children's interests

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the early years provision

and promote their learning. The childminder has contingency arrangements in place for emergency absences, to ensure that children are always supervised. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box, which enables her to give appropriate care to children if there is an accident.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. All of the required information in respect of children's personal details is gathered and this enables her to ensure that children's needs are met. She treats children as individuals and acknowledges their interests and preferences. Children's understanding of diversity is encouraged, through activities and resources that reflect positive images. Partnerships with parents are good. Parents contribute to an initial assessment of their child. This enables the childminder to have a good knowledge of children's development, which helps her to build on what children already know. A good two way flow of information between the childminder and the parent ensures consistency of care. Parents are provided with written policies and information about the Early Years Foundation Stage, so that they are well informed about the provision and how children learn. The childminder shares children's written

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the early years provision

assessments with their parents, so that parents are well informed about the progress their child is making. Parents comment that they are happy with the care provided for their child. The childminder encourages parents to complete a questionnaire about the provision for their child; however, parents' written feedback is not yet used as part of the self-evaluation process. The childminder demonstrates an understanding of working in partnership with other providers to support continuity in children's care and early education. The childminder has successfully responded to the recommendations set at the last inspection, thus supporting children's health and well-being. She has attended training courses to keep up to date with childcare practices. The childminder monitors her practice through a self-evaluation process, which has enabled her to identify her strengths and some areas to develop. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled in a caring environment where trusting relationships enable them to feel secure. Children's emotional well-being is fully promoted, as the childminder respect parents' wishes and works closely with them to meet individual needs regarding routines. This ensures continuity of care. Children develop a healthy dependence on the childminder, because she is receptive to their needs. Children benefit immensely from visits to local toddler groups, where they develop relationships with their peers and take part in group situations, such as outdoor play and story time sessions. This helps to support children's social development, as they learn to share and take turns during group activities. Children behave well and benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes regular observations, records children's achievements and is beginning to use these records to identify the next stage of children's development and their next steps. However, the observation records indicate that children are not always consistently observed in all areas of learning, in particular, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy and creative development. Children are beginning to develop their own preferences and make choices for themselves. For example, children select items of naturally made resources that they enjoy playing with from the treasure basket. They discover how things work when pressing buttons and lifting up flaps. Also, the childminder provides children with good opportunities to explore mini computers.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder carefully selects toys and resources to ensure that they are suitable for children. In addition, children can freely and safely access a wide range of toys that are appropriate for their stage of development. The childminder knows the children very well and provides resources that appeal to children's interests in boxes and animals. The children are beginning to concentrate on their self-chosen activities. They enjoy putting objects into boxes and taking them out of the boxes. Children learn about their environment through visits to the parks and also the fields where they see horses. Children are able to make themselves understood through sign language, verbal communication and actions. They demonstrate good book handling skills and enjoy making marks.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a clean and tidy environment. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. Children demonstrate growing independence as they feed themselves and use the step up stool to reach up to the washbasin in the bathroom. There are effective storage facilities for the food provided by parents, to stop it from spoiling. In agreement with parents, the childminder occasionally offers children food from other cultures. This helps them to develop wider tastes in foods. Children have access to drinks of water throughout the day, to prevent them from getting thirsty. They enjoy a wide range of physical activities that contribute to keeping them healthy. For example, children participate in music and movement at the toddler group and use physical play equipment when visiting local physical play facilities and parks. Gentle reminders help children learn about safety within the setting and regular fire drills help

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children become familiar with emergency evacuation procedures. 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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