Bellgate Junior Mixed 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 129122 Inspection date 23/02/2009 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 1999. She lives with her two children aged 13 and 10 years in the Birchwood area of Hatfield. The whole of the downstairs 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight and there are four children attending within the early years age range. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children make good progress in their learning and development. A varied range of exciting resources and activities enable children to be active learners, investigating and exploring in a well- supported and stimulating environment. Inclusive practice is promoted throughout the provision to ensure all children achieve as much as they can. Children are able to access toys and resources appropriate to their ages and developmental stage. The childminder has a very clear understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement. Recommendations from her last inspection have been implemented well and her plans for the future are focused to bring about further improvements to the provision and outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the observation and assessment system so that it identifies learning priorities and shows the next steps for individual children  improve the safeguarding policy to include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of the household  carry out regular evacuation drills and record in a fire log book any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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provision

The childminder's developing procedures for monitoring and evaluating her practice, such as completing her self-evaluation means that she is able to clearly identify the areas for improvement and has begun to implement these changes. The childminder continues to improve her practice as she takes advantage of the training available to her and discusses current childcare issues within the childminding group she is a part of. Children's development is promoted as the childminder monitors their learning and progress through careful observation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, the information gained from these observations is not fully evaluated in order to identify the next steps in individual children's learning.

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provision

The childminder's effective safeguarding policies and knowledge of child protection issues ensure that children are protected at all times. However, some detail is missing from the safeguarding children policy and this means that parents are not fully informed about the procedure.

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provision

The childminder communicates well with the parents to gain information from them about their children and to share details about their child's day, their achievements and messages from the school or other groups that children attend. She obtains positive feedback from parents through the questionnaire and newsletter she sends out. Children benefit because both their views and those of their parents are listened to and valued and then taken into consideration in the care provided. For example, she works closely with the parents to provide continuity when dealing with temper tantrums and offers flexibility as she takes account of parents' working hours. The childminder is part of a close support network such as the local Children's Centre and childminding group and this enables her to keep up to date with current childcare issues.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a varied range of opportunities that support them in making good progress in all areas of learning and development. The flexible approach to planning ensures that children's needs and interests are always included. The childminder plans exciting activities, loosely based around a topic but that encompass the childminding provision as a whole. For example, during the topic on space, children cut out stars from cheese at snack time and enjoy finding books about stars and space at the library. The childminder keeps evidence of children's learning in the form of dated samples of children's work, photographs and detailed observations. However, the observations are not always evaluated in order to identify what children have learnt and the next steps for them in their learning and development.

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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. For example, they use scoops and funnels to fill containers with coloured rice and talk about the pots being empty or full, counting out how many scoops they have used. The childminder makes sure her house and resources are interesting, attractive and accessible to every child. For example, low storage units and a photo album of pictures of resources ensure that even young children can make choices about what they want to play with. The childminder also gathers additional play items from the toy library and uses a website for ideas on how to create her own games, such as a magnetic fishing game based on the space topic.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children well and positively encourages them to be active in their learning, to reason and work together. For example, they learn to fix the magnetic train carriages together and problem solve as they find matching cards to complete a picture of an alien. Children celebrate multicultural festivals with other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children at the childminding group and play with a range of resources and books that reflect positive images of diversity, enabling them to gain an awareness of the wider world. Children create freely and make patterns in the cornflour mixture. They enjoy filling up containers to make their own shakers and make their own rockets with support from the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The warm environment and sensitive support gives children confidence to share their thoughts, explore further and develop their independence and ideas. For example, children wash their hands independently and spread butter on their crackers for snack. Children are offered numerous opportunities to learn about the relevance of healthy lifestyles. The range of physical activities, 'the five a day' game, where they collect pictures of fruit and vegetables they have eaten and stick them on a chart and the picture signs around the home depicting ways to keep healthy, promote their understanding of this area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of this area. The environment is well maintained and free from hazards. A regular risk assessment of the premises and garden is carried out. Children have a good understanding of keeping safe because the childminder explains to them the reasons why hazard reducing equipment is in place to protect them such as the door chain and the cupboard locks. However, the fire evacuation plan has not been practised and this means that children are not familiar with how to escape in the event of an emergency. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children, she has attended training and has the relevant information and contact details in order to protect 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

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.

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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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