Castle Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116083 Inspection date 18/04/2012 Inspector Jacqueline Munden

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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 2000. She lives with her three children aged five, 10 and 16 years, in Isleworth, Middlesex. All areas of the home, which is town house laid out over three floors, are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

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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 five children under eight years. Of these, three may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children, both of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a relevant level 3 qualification.

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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

All children are very happy and included in the safe and nurturing environment. The childminder forges strong relationships with parents and together they work generally very successfully to meet children's welfare and learning needs. Systems for observation, assessment and planning are mostly effective in promoting children's learning and development and as a result children are making good progress overall towards the early learning goals. The childminder evaluates her practice effectively and shows a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a systematic and routine approach to using observations and assessment to ensure any gaps in children's individual learning are identified increase opportunities for parents to contribute to their children's learning and development records.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder and those living in the house are suitably vetted. The childminder is clear about the procedure to follow should she have a child protection concern regarding a child in her care. The childminder risk assesses the home and outings thoroughly and takes effective measures to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 minimise possible risks. The wide range of policies and procedures that are shared with parents, underpin the childminder's good practice. All the appropriate records and parental consents are in place to promote children's good health and welfare. The childminder spends her time focussed on children and ensuring their needs are met well. Her home is clean and well organised allowing children to easily access the wide range of resources indoors and outside safely.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality and diversity well. The broad range of resources enables all children to take part at their own development level. There are no children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or children who speak English as an additional language attending at present. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates the careful consideration she has given to how she will support children's individual needs by working closely with parents and professionals involved in children's care and learning. The childminder initiates engagement with parents from the outset. They regularly share useful information through discussion. Parents report they are very pleased with the high level of care provided by the caring childminder. They feel children benefit greatly from the activities she provides that help them to develop language and counting skills. The childminder informs parents of the progress their children make. However, parents

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the early years provision

are not regularly invited to contribute to their child's learning and development record to involved them fully as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process. There are no children attending other early years settings at present. However, the childminder is clear how she will liaise with them to promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her practice well which helps her identify areas for development. She has made good improvement since her last inspection by meeting the recommendation made. The childminder has increased her professional skills through attending training. She uses the knowledge gained to further develop her practice. For example, after an outdoor play workshop, the childminder broadened the range of activities she provides outdoors. Parents are invited to complete questionnaires to help the childminder evaluate her provision. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to driving improvements to improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the caring childminder. They show they feel safe and secure due to the strong relationships they form with her. Children confidently move around selecting activities to take part in. Overall, children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder assesses their progress and makes plans of how to aid this further. Systems for tracking children's progression towards the early learning goals are in place. However, these are not always completed systematically to monitor all areas of learning and identify any gaps.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the wide range of interesting activities provided both in and outside This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the home. For example, children attending, who are both aged two years benefit from visits to toddler groups and soft play areas where they develop social and physical skills. The childminder plans activities to provide new experiences, such as a bus journey. Children enjoyed a trip on a 'big red bus'; viewing the world around them from a different aspect, communicating with other travellers and ringing the bell to indicate when they want the bus to stop. The childminder recognises the benefits of playing outdoors especially as certain groups of children prefer to play and learn outdoors. As a result, many activities including physical play are provided outside, such as painting in the garden. This makes sure children have plenty of fresh air and exercise which has a positive impact on their good health.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn good skills for the future as they are developing good communication skills as they play. For example, they speak on the play telephone, prompted by the childminder to say 'hello'. They have many opportunities to use numbers in their everyday routines, such as counting the steps as they go up and down the stairs to the playroom. The childminder encourages them to count the pieces of play fruit they share between the toy animals. They learn about size as they sort and name the 'big tiger' and the 'small tiger'. Some age appropriate electronic toys are available. Children respond well to the childminder's clear and consistent approach to managing their behaviour. For example, they learn to share and take turns playing with the cups, making cups of tea. Children are learning about the wider world through the range of toys and books they use that promote diversity. They develop creative skills as they decorate a picture of a dragon to

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy lifestyles well. They benefit from large amounts of time spent outdoors developing muscles and physical skills. Children are learning about healthy foods and are learning effective hygiene routines, such as cleaning their hands before eating. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices of foods and learn about this further through playing and talking about the play food. Children are developing a good understanding of keeping safe through following procedures. For example, they learn how to respond in case of a fire and how to cross the road safely. 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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