Bolton School Infant & Nursery 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 149361 Inspection date 13/11/2008 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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

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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and three grown-up children in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the main bedroom of childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and during school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory parts of the Childcare register and voluntary Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There are currently two children on roll in this age range. The childminder provides three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides very well for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which children thrive. She offers continuity of care often caring for the children since they were very young babies. She also builds trusting relationships with the parents and pre-schools to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. The childminder's effective approach to planning ensures that the children's interests and development are promoted and that they enjoy their time with her. By self- evaluating she has a clear picture of her strengths and areas for improvement. Therefore, she is able to make effective changes to improve the daily care and experiences for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of planning to demonstrate which areas of learning are covered and children's future progress  ensure the complaints procedure contains all the contact details of the regulator  improve further the risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, when and by whom they have been checked and the regularity of these checks according to the assessment of the significance of individual risks.

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provision

Effective safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children are well protected at all times. For example, the childminder has attended additional training to increase her knowledge of child protection and has all the required contact numbers for concerns. The childminder uses clear and practical procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for monitoring the environment and her practice. She carries out safety checks of the premises before the children arrive and adapts the environment to the children she has in her care. For example, as the children present have learnt that they must not go in the kitchen area when cooking is taking place the safety gate is not closed. However, it remains in place for if younger children attend so that it can be closed until their level of understanding hash developed. Although full risk assessments are in place, these do not contain the required level of detail

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provision

potentially affecting children's safety. The childminder continuously evaluates her practice ensuring that she keeps up to date with training and adopts a positive attitude to feedback. She seeks regular information from parents and uses compliment sheets to help her reflect on her practice.

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provision

The children's individual development is well promoted because the childminder has practical procedures in place to monitor and evaluate their learning and progress. A close and effective partnership with parents, carers and local pre- schools ensures that all relevant information is shared and involves the parents in their child's learning. The use of photographs and assessment records help all those involved further the children's progression. A comprehensive prospectus ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminder's policies and procedures detailing her working ethos and good practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress in all areas of learning and development. Planning is organised to ensure that all areas of learning are covered although this and the areas for children's further progression are not always clear to see on the written plans currently provided. Information from observation and assessment is however used well to ensure that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder uses her flexible planning to ensure that there is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. For example, children fully participate in a themed activity about the 'Hungry Caterpillar.' They read the book with the childminder reminding themselves of the story and predicting what the caterpillar will eat next and on what days of the week. They then move onto creating their own caterpillar with circles of paper and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

pipe cleaners stuck onto paper developing their creative skills and problem solving as they count how many legs are on the picture and making sure their caterpillar has the same amount. They then confidently state that they would like to do some drawing and ask for some paper and pens.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her weekly planning offers children an balanced and broad range of activities, both inside and outside the home, that are fun, enjoyable and encourage children to learn through play. For example, they enjoy using cardboard tubes as telescopes to look for flowers and bugs in the garden and planting crocus bulbs to watch and nurture and they learn about their local area as they visit the farm, fire station and childminder groups developing their social skills and interaction with others. The childminder thoughtfully organises the environment children use by providing toys and resources stored at a low level to encourage them to self-select and freely choose what they want to do. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, on returning from nursery they decide to do the 'Hungry Caterpillar' puzzle with one asking the other if they would like to help. When the answer is not

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as positive as they would have hoped they become a bit agitated. The childminder then steps in encouraging the children to play nicely together reminding them of the expected behaviour and acting as a positive role model.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to minimise the spread of infection and provide the children with a well-balanced diet. They develop a good understanding of protecting their own safety as they practise the emergency evacuation procedure proudly explaining to their parent the following morning that 'if you hear the alarm go off leave what your doing and go straight to the back door, and if you're ill you call the ambulance'. Children's understanding of the wider world is developed as they celebrate festivals and experience different foods such as their favourite dinner of chicken korma with poppadoms. Overall the childminder effectively plans and organises their systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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. 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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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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