Wynstream Primary School Academy

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 149629 Inspection date 22/01/2009 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and their two children aged eight and 11 years, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with the bathroom, and a bedroom, used for children requiring a sleep, upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The home is accessible to most users.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently minding four children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. The childminder also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a judgement about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included at the end of the report. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group with minded children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are safe and secure at all times and enjoy the range of activities and resources on offer. Systems for planning and assessment are evolving and are starting to identify children’s current development, learning and interests. Self- evaluation by the childminder effectively identifies areas for future development and she acts on her findings, resulting in a service that meets current legislation and that is responsive to the needs of all of its users. The childminder builds secure relationships with children and effective partnerships with parents, which has ensured that she is able to identify and take some action to meet children’s individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems to promote linguistic diversity  develop children’s assessment records further so that they can be used to inform planning, identify next steps in children’s learning and build on what they already know; ensuring that parents have regular opportunities to contribute to these records  ensure that children are provided with suitable facilities for hand washing  continue to develop the system for planning to ensure that it is reflective of information which is collected from observations, assessments and information from parents and that activities promote children’s next steps in learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Good safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children are well protected. For example, the childminder is secure in her understanding of safeguarding and has recent training to underpin her knowledge. Clear and comprehensive information is readily available which would help the childminder to act promptly should a concern arise about a child in her care. The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge base and regularly attends short training courses. Recent courses include food hygiene, behaviour management and the six areas of learning.

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provision

The childminder has just started to monitor the provision and has identified some areas to improve the service offered. For example, she intends to develop a system to share the observations that she makes of children’s achievements, with parents. As part of her self-evaluation, the childminder has also asked parents to complete a questionnaire about the setting. In response to the comments received the childminder has adapted her practice.

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provision

There is a range of written records, policies and procedures in place which the childminder regularly shares with parents. These are reviewed and adapted where necessary to ensure the smooth running of the setting. The childminder stores some records and has registered as a data controller for data protection purposes. The childminder establishes effective relationships to ensure that she is suitably informed about each child’s individual needs. However, the childminder is yet to establish links with local pre-schools to ensure that the children’s needs are planned for across the differing provisions that they attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a secure and child-friendly environment where they are able to self-select from a suitable range of resources which capture their interest. These are stored in child height- baskets in the lounge, which promotes independence and decision making. Children are learning to keep themselves safe. All children take part in fire evacuations practises, and on outings the childminder reinforces road safety rules. The childminder keeps a 'fire drill record book' in which she records details such as the children present and the time taken to evacuate. The childminder then adds comments and suggestions to improve the procedure at the next practise. This, in addition to a full and effective risk assessment helps to keep children safe. Generally, good procedures are in place to promote children's good health. However, young children are not always provided with suitable resources to wash their hands before eating.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

In response to the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder has started to implement a system for planning and assessment to ensure that she meets the requirements. Planning shows the range of activities offered and how the childminder will ensure that she promotes all six areas of learning. However, the planning does not currently reflect the next steps in promoting children’s development and learning. The childminder makes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observations of children’s progress and records these in the newly developed assessment portfolios, which also include photos and samples of their work. However, there is not currently a system to share these records with parents or gather information about children’s starting points. This makes it difficult to evaluate their rate of progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a suitable range of activities and experiences which help them to make progress across all areas of learning. They enjoy expressing their ideas and playing imaginatively as they dress up in builders’ hats and announce ‘I’m Bob’. Children enjoy using construction toys and competently build train tracks, taking time to sort and match the pieces. They learn about the world around them as they watch the development of caterpillars into butterflies before releasing them into the garden. Children learn about keeping themselves healthy. For example, in response to an exercise promotion scheme each morning the children take part in a few exercises with the childminder. Most children’s speaking and listening skills are developing well. They confidently sing songs as they play and initiate conversations. Children have access to a suitable range of books and have opportunities to mix and socialise with children of similar ages at local play

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and toddler groups. The childminder has recently started to find out familiar words and phrases of children who also speak additional languages at home. 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? 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? 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: 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 registration or 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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