Matthew Arnold Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 104557 Inspection date 08/06/2012 Inspector Bridget Copson

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in the village of Harbertonford near Totnes, Devon. Minded children have access to the whole of the bungalow but not the flat conversion in the roof. There is a garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog, two cats, seven hens, and a cockerel.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for six children under eight years at any one time, of these three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group.

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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

Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works consistently with other settings children attend. The systems in place help protect children's welfare and provide a generally clean and hygienic environment. Children's learning is promoted effectively and they are making good progress. Children use a good range of play provision but this is not always easily accessible The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining continuous improvement and has effective systems for self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve standards of health and hygiene by keeping all equipment and play provision clean  improve the organisation of play provision to make resources more easily accessible to all children.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has effective systems in place to help ensure their safety and well-being. She has a clear understanding of her child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns. The childminder's risk assessments, daily checklists and evacuation procedures help maintain a good standard of safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality of her provision. She has completed a self-evaluation form that includes examples of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 how she promotes aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage and some areas for improvement. The childminder has also established links with the local authority. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment and drive to maintain continuous improvement. She attends a wealth of training courses and workshops and has made improvements to the quality of her provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment for children. There is a good range of play provision but most of this is not easily accessible to all children, to support their independence. The childminder dedicates her time to observing, interacting and supporting children. She is a positive role model and encourages children to respect one another and each other's differences. As a result, children are included and their individuality reflected within her home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established a successful partnership with parents. They are provided with comprehensive information regarding her service. Parents are kept well informed through displays, daily communication and home link books. Their views are sought through questionnaires and parents state their children are always happy. The childminder works in partnership with another setting some children also attend. They maintain the same records to promote consistency and support children's transition between the settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning is promoted effectively according to their stage of development and interests. They benefit from a balance of free-play time, organised activities and trips out and about locally. Children's choices are respected and planned activities changed to meet their needs and requests. The childminder monitors children's progress well. She records observations of children's achievements, which she illustrates with examples of their work and photographs. This information is used to write a summary of their achievements each term and to identify next steps in their learning. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and knows the children well. She interacts with enthusiasm and provides children with on-going challenge. As a result, children are active and involved.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a good sense of well-being. They choose resources for themselves but not always independently due to the storage arrangements. Children focus for long periods at their chosen activity and laugh together at many shared jokes. Children behave very well. They learn about the needs and feelings of others while sharing and playing with consideration. Their self-confidence and self-esteem is nurtured through lots of encouragement and praise. Children's communication, language and literacy are developing well. They express their needs and feelings through lots of discussion and are asked many questions to make them think and decide. Children have access to a good range of books. They have opportunities to develop their early writing skills, for example, they make a menu of food and drinks available in the role play kitchen. 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 developing an understanding of numbers and shapes. They count aloud during play, name the shapes they see and use the correct descriptive language for size and position. Children problem solve while using construction equipment, completing puzzles and finding out how things work. Children are involved within the local community. They walk and shop in the village and enjoy outings to places of interest. Children plant and grow vegetables in the garden, collect eggs from the chickens and learn to re-cycle responsibly. Children are supported well in learning about diversity within their community and the wider world. For example, they play with resources that reflect positive images of culture, explore different festivals and taste food from other countries. Children use their imaginations well during role play, cooking and serving many meals and drinks they create with many imaginative play resources. Children enjoy music and

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and outcomes for children

explore different instruments, which they play, march and dance to.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure. They are confident to explore and have a warm relationship with the childminder. Children are supported well in learning about keeping safe. For example, learning the house rules, road safety on walks and practising the fire drill. Children's health is promoted effectively within the generally clean and hygienic environment. However, not all play provision is cleaned regularly to further promote good health and hygiene. Children's physical development is promoted well. They use many small and large scale resources in the garden, where they have space to run freely. They also benefit from regular walks and trips to play parks in the village. 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 2 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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