Caldecott Junior 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 129755 Inspection date 27/01/2009 Inspector Gail Groves

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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 registered in 1992. She lives in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire with her husband, one adult child and one child aged 15 years. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house as well as the bathroom upstairs is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the premises is via a flat path and one step. The family has two dogs.

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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 to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, two of whom are within the early years age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides appropriately for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are respected as individuals and their individual needs are appropriately met in partnership with their parents and carers. The childminder provides an inclusive and welcoming environment in which all children can feel comfortable and at home and works hard to make continuous improvements in the care and learning she provides. However, she is hindered by her lack of a current first aid certificate and her limited knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of how to meet and put into practice the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  improve the planning of activities to support the identified next steps in children's learning and development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident; this also applies to risk assessments for each type of outing (Documentation) 10/02/2009  complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 23/03/2009. (Promoting good health; also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children’s welfare, care and safety are promoted appropriately. The childminder has generally sound policies and procedures in place to protect children's safety and she organises her home to provide a safe and welcoming environment which meets the needs of all children. Toys are easily and safely accessible in order to encourage children's independence and self-esteem and she ensures that resources for planned activities are prepared and kept readily to hand in order that children's involvement in activities is well supported. Most of the documentation required to meet children's needs and for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. However, the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements for the childminder to hold a current paediatric first aid certificate and to complete written risk assessments for the premises and for each outing are not met.

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provision

The childminder is just beginning to use self-evaluation to assess her strengths and areas for improvement and plans to improve her practice by increasing the level of her training and qualifications. For example, she has recently gained a food safety qualification and is booked to attend training on the observation and assessment of children. Children are appropriately safeguarded because the childminder ensures that all of the suitability checks for her family are completed when they become due and she knows the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about their welfare.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to meet children's individual needs and their wishes and views are respected and valued at all times. She keeps them informed about their children's progress and achievements through daily discussions and if they wish to her to do so, she also provides them with daily diaries. Routines such as potty training and methods of managing behaviour are discussed fully with parents so that the childminder can ensure that children experience continuity in their care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare, learning and development effectively. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks and are beginning to learn about the importance that healthy eating and physical exercise plays in developing a healthy lifestyle. For example, they have regular opportunities to enjoy exercise and fresh air and the childminder discusses the importance of walking to school to encourage their hearts to work hard. Children who have particular medical needs are well supported and are encouraged to think about their diet and the importance of having enough to drink. Safety is prioritised and children learn to keep themselves safe through discussions and practical experiences within their daily routine. For example, they learn that they must not walk in front of the swings at the park and know that they must wear a seat belt in the car which they must not remove until the car has stopped.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's calm and consistent approach to dealing with issues of unwanted behaviour allows children to clearly understand what is required of them. As a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 result, they behave well. All children are encouraged to share and take turns and to learn to play together so that they develop social skills. Regular trips to the local toddler group for younger children supports their social skills still further. Older children are encouraged to be aware of the needs of younger ones and the childminder ensures that each child is supported to take part in activities at an appropriate level for their development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children enjoy a play environment in which they can safely and independently explore and experiment with a range of good quality resources to develop and extend their learning. They feel comfortable and at home and develop confidence and self-esteem because they develop affectionate relationships with the childminder and her family. Their physical skills are supported during trips to the park to use the large scale apparatus and on visits to the ice rink to skate and children have opportunities to use scissors and pencils to develop hand to eye coordination and small muscle skills. Trips into the local environment to walk in the woods and visits to London to look at the sights and enjoy a boat ride on the Thames allow children to learn about the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well supported to develop their understanding about counting and numbers and to develop phonic skills through a variety of interesting and challenging games. Their communication and language skills are reinforced throughout their interactions with the childminder because she listens to them carefully and values what they have to say. As a result, they are becoming confident communicators. Opportunities to enjoy creative activities such as drawing, gluing and painting are regularly provided and a range of imaginative play using small world figures is freely available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and understands what the next steps in each child's learning should be. However, because her knowledge and understanding about the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage is limited, play activities are not always sufficiently focused to ensure that all areas of children's individual learning and development are being fully supported. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Welfare of the children being cared for) 23/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Welfare of the children being cared for) 23/03/2009 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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