Winshill Infant School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 124042 Inspection date 04/11/2008 Inspector Jill Nugent

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Type of setting Childminder 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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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. 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 three adult children in a house in Hoddesdon. There is good access to the house at ground level by means of a short path from the front gate. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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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 is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time. Currently she is minding 15 children, of whom seven are within the Early Years Foundation Stage and eight are on the childcare register. She travels to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and provides advice and support to other childminders.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides successfully for children through offering a dynamic play environment where children enjoy themselves and flourish. She excels in her organisational skills, compiling documentation and using an extensive range of resources to help children progress towards the early learning goals. Her provision welcomes, and includes, children of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. Through self-evaluation she is aware of her strengths and works continually towards further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the observation and planning systems in order to incoporate children's next steps.

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provision

The childminder is committed to providing high quality care for children and is innovative and professional in her management. Her documentation is extremely well organised and all records are maintained appropriately. She works hard on collecting information and evidence, including numerous photographs of children, thereby providing a comprehensive record of her practice and their development. She evaluates her practice over time and takes many opportunities to attend training courses so as to continually improve. For example, since her previous inspection she has attended training in areas such as diversity, special needs, positive behaviour and observing children. She has also renewed her Hertfordshire This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Quality Standards accreditation. At present she is working towards a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification and intends to use her acquired knowledge and

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provision

skills to further improve aspects of her practice.

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provision

The childminder has efficient procedures in place regarding the safeguarding of children. All adults living on the premises are vetted and children are only allowed to leave the setting with a known adult. She has an excellent working partnership with parents and carers. They receive clear information about her provision in a welcome pack, including her key policies and procedures. In addition there is guidance for settling children in and details of her record keeping and safety procedures. Extra information is displayed on a notice board along with children's artwork. The childminder keeps parents of younger children informed on a daily basis through written diaries and she shares children's learning records regularly with parents. She liaises with other providers to ensure children's continuity of learning. Parents are highly satisfied with the care their children receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a vibrant and stimulating play environment for children. She has an extraordinary variety of resources and offers activities which cover all six learning areas. Children benefit from this wide choice in being able to explore in different play situations for as long as they wish, never running out of things to do. They gain independence, and confidence, and learn to persevere at chosen tasks. They develop close relationships with each other and learn to behave responsibly. The childminder is proactive in her support, interacting to promote and extend children's learning. She engages them in conversation, enhancing their play and suggesting ideas that encourage children to think. Children are all very happy in the setting and develop a real sense of belonging. The childminder is adept at offering an inclusive provision catering for children of differing ages. Older children enjoy a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

range of organised activities whereas younger children value the time to explore and learn through play. Children increase their awareness of diversity in many ways, for example, talking about different cultures and festivals, creating flags and masks, or dressing up.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thrive in the childminder's care, making significant progress in their learning. They are encouraged to communicate and especially enjoy sharing books. Young children have fun counting and often sing spontaneously. They become absorbed in role play, for example, pretending to care for baby dolls. There are excellent opportunities for children to experiment with mark-making tools or explore creatively using different materials, for instance, making owls using leaves or collages of paper shapes. The childminder prioritises outdoor play and exploration, encouraging gardening activities and taking children on visits to parks, woods and animal centres. She plans her activities around themes, such as Autumn, putting together 'theme files' which include activity ideas, graded worksheets and photographs. These are particularly useful in illustrating how her plans work in practice. Alongside these she builds up records of children's learning though

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

collecting and annotating photographs, making focused observations and highlighting their next steps of learning. She is keen to develop a system for linking these individual targets to her overall activity plans. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is particularly attentive to children's welfare and promotes their health and safety effectively. She has collated information regarding children's safety and this has helped her to place an emphasis on safety issues throughout her practice. Thorough risk assessments of her house and garden are carried out regularly. All outings are routinely risk assessed so that action can be taken to minimise any risks to children. A variety of healthy and nutritious meals are offered and these include tasty extras, such as home-cooked sauces and fresh fruits. The childminder ensures children are aware of personal hygiene and safety. She

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

supervises them closely and reminds them how to keep safe when taking part in activities. Older children are aware of the house rules and respond appropriately to her expectations. The childminder's superb organisation and firm, friendly approach results in a high level of well-being for all children. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Outstanding The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Outstanding

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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