Hazelbury 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 102010 Inspection date 12/05/2009 Inspector Caren Carpenter

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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 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 school aged daughter in a three bedroom house within the London borough of Camden. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. There are no steps to access the premises. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding six children in the early years age group on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to local parks and toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled and effective systems ensure their individual needs are recognised and identified. The well-organised learning environment captures children’s interest exceptionally well, because the childminder plans extremely well for each child’s individual needs based on their starting points and capabilities. Excellent involvement with parents and other settings children attend promotes integrated care and learning. The childminder is highly committed towards evaluating and improving the service she provides to children and parents.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children outdoors are kept to a minimum.

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provision

The early years provision is exceptionally well managed by the childminder. She ensures that records, policies and procedures are very well organised and maintained to ensure that the needs of children are met effectively.

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provision

Overall safeguarding procedures are robust and ensure children are protected from harm and neglect. In addition, children’s safety is exceptionally well promoted. The written risk assessment is reviewed regularly and supports the visual checks carried out daily which ensures children are safe at all times.

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provision

The childminder ensures the continuous improvement of her provision by assessing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and recording what is being done well and what needs to improve. She shows excellent commitment to developing and improving her practice, for example, by continuing to improve children’s safety during outdoor play. In addition, she has attended additional training courses to enhance the care and learning experiences she provides to the children.

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provision

Information about each child and their interest is used exceptionally well by the childminder to plan and provide an excellent range of interesting and stimulating activities that successfully supports children to build on skills they already have.

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provision

The childminder organises her home and play resources tremendously well enabling children to make choices about their play, promoting their independence. For example, children choose from an exciting and attractive range of quality play resources that are stored in boxes that are labelled with the pictures and names of the toys supporting their independence skills. Flexible routines and a superb balance of indoor and outdoor activities mean that children can play in a spontaneous manner and can make decisions about their play. In addition, children also benefit from regular trips out to the local library, children’s centre and play groups, this provides further learning experiences and opportunities to extend and enhance their learning and social skills.

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provision

Remarkably detailed assessments and photographic observation records show children engage in a superb range of activities across the six areas of learning and the next steps for their development link successfully to the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

Inclusive practice is a tremendous strength of this provision. Children benefit remarkably well from the superb partnerships the childminder has developed with parents and others. For example, she works exceptional well with parents and has established fantastic links with a range of professional agencies and the local children’s centre. This ensures that children who need additional support receive the very best care to meet their individual needs. In addition, parents are kept exceptionally well informed about their children’s achievements; there is an effective two-way flow of information and the childminder provides parents with written feedback each day in the form of a daily communication book. The childminder values parents’ comments and seeks their views through a parents’ questionnaire survey on what she is doing well and areas for improvement. Written comments from parents say the childminder is very caring and loving and she

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provision

provides excellent care to their children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the learning and development requirements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder; they are engaged, happy and interested in their play. The childminder builds on children’s experiences through actively being involved in their play and learning. For example, she sits on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the floor with the children reading a selection of exciting and interesting stories, capturing and engaging them by asking various questions, such as how many and what happens next, promoting their communication, language and problem solving skills. In addition, children have superb opportunities to take home a soft toy ‘Travelling Ted’ for a week. Parents take photographs of the children with the bear as they visit various places, such as going on holidays and trips to the museum to learn about dinosaurs. The childminder uses story times effectively to encourage the children to talk about their special time with ‘Travelling Ted’. This contributes

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

effectively in valuing and listening to what children say.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children gain extremely good understanding of staying healthy. The childminder actively promotes a healthy environment because she is a good role model. She teaches children well how to stop germs from spreading by washing their hands after visiting the toilet. They are provided with their own hand towels to dry their hands. In addition, they are learning exceptionally well about the importance of brushing their teeth after meal times to keep them healthy and clean. Children take great pride in selecting their tooth brushes independently and enjoy brushing their teeth.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder considers children’s dietary needs exceptionally well when planning the weekly menu. Children are offered healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and a selection of fresh fruits daily. They enjoy a variety of home cooked Mediterranean meals, such as rice potatoes, chicken stew and soup. In addition, children enjoy helping to prepare their own sandwiches for their lunch. The childminder ensures all children have regular drinks that are available at all times. Children have extremely good opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise, for example, they play in the garden and visit the local park, toddler groups and the children’s centre which promotes a healthy lifestyle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has very clear and meaningful written guidelines for acceptable behaviour for children. These are fully discussed and agreed with parents to ensure consistency. The childminder understands how to manage children’s behaviour effectively. For example, she praises children’s achievements and rewards them with colourful reward stickers to promote confidence and self- esteem. She has built close and loving relationships with the children. As a result, children are very happy and settled in her care. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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