Hilda First 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

p.1

Unique reference number 129200 Inspection date 26/01/2009 Inspector Lindsay Hare

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Welwyn Garden City. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. There is a small step leading to the front entrance of the property. The childminder works during term-time and school holidays.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently caring for four children in the EYFS. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary part of the childcare register but currently the childminder cares for no children within this group. The childminder works in partnership with parents.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. They have access to a range of activities and experiences that are suitable for their age and stage of development and follow their interests. Inclusive practice is generally promoted to ensure that each child reaches their potential and is becoming aware of the wider world. Most of the documentation relating to the care of the children is in place, although some policies and procedures lack detail. The childminder has addressed the recommendations from the last inspection and is aware of the areas of the setting she needs to improve.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 improve the safeguarding children statement to include the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against a member of the household  improve the complaints procedure to include detail about notifying the complainant within 28 days and the correct Ofsted contact number  improve fire safety by ensuring that there is a working smoke alarm on each level of the premises and practising the emergency evacuation procedure  undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment and review it regularly, at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises  improve the observation and assessment system to include links to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the next steps for individual children.

p.3

provision

The childminder has completed a self-evaluation online, which shows she is able to monitor and evaluate her practice effectively. She is able to identify the strengths of the provision and has taken steps to address the areas of improvement such as developing her website and improving her observational system. This shows her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 capacity to improve.

p.3

provision

She communicates well with the parents, gaining a good understanding of the children in her care. Parents are regularly kept informed about what their child has been doing during the day as the childminder e-mails them daily summaries as well as chatting to them as they collect their children. Children make good progress in their learning and development and the childminder observes and assesses children. However, the assessment does not show how their learning is linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or how it is used to identify the next steps for individual children. There is a complaints procedure in place which lacks a contact number and some detail and this may mean that parents' concerns are not acknowledged or dealt with appropriately.

p.4

provision

The childminder's awareness of the procedures to safeguard children from possible abuse or neglect ensures children are protected at all times, although some detail is missing from the safeguarding statement.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy learning and benefit from a varied range of opportunities that support them in making progress in all areas of learning and development. The childminder is guided by the children's likes and interests when organising what activities and experiences to provide. She has completed some observations of the children and gathered evidence through photographs and examples of children's work. However, this assessment does not show how it is linked to the EYFS or how it is used to inform future planning for individual children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children are offered a balanced range of activities and are encouraged to explore their environment. For example, as they plant, water and measure their sunflowers and grow mustard and cress to eat in their sandwiches. Children enjoy regular walks to feed the ducks and look for squirrels and set up tents in the garden. The children's gross motor skills are promoted as they play on climbing apparatus at the park and use walkers and ride trikes at toddler group. They enjoy marching to the 'Grand old duke of York' and participating in other action rhymes.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop their independence as they enjoy some responsibility, such as, spreading butter on their bread and laying the table for lunch. They learn to share the resources at toddler group and are encouraged to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children have stories read to them and join in telling familiar stories to the childminder and other children. They use stencils and draw and some of the older children are writing recognisable letters. Children freely create with paint, glue and play dough, making shakers with pasta and threading straws and beads to make bracelets. Children bake cakes regularly, weighing out the ingredients and counting out sweets to decorate their biscuits. All the children measure and record their height on the height chart and enjoy number rhymes.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment where hazards have been minimised. However, no risk assessment has been conducted and there is no This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 smoke alarm on the first floor of the premises. This means that potentially children's safety may be compromised. A fire procedure is displayed, but the children have not practised an escape plan and are therefore not familiar with the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency evacuation. All the necessary parental consents are in place. Children are provided with a well-balanced diet and are encouraged to try different foods and eat at least three portions of fruit and vegetables whilst with the childminder. Children behave well as the childminder encourages positive behaviour, uses appropriate strategies and explains the reasons for them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

p.8

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.

p.8