Hartford 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 110696 Inspection date 06/03/2009 Inspector Jenny Scarlett

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and three children, two of whom are school age in a small village on the outskirts of Andover. Minded children have access to the whole house with toilet facilities provided on the ground floor. There is a large fully enclosed garden. Sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. The family own sheepdogs which are housed in kennels outside and a family pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years and is currently caring for four children in the early years age range on a part time basis. The childminder is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a recognised qualification in Early Years and is an accredited childminder caring for children in receipt of nursery education funding.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The children are confident and settled because the childminder strives to meet their individual needs. She offers a fully inclusive setting and the very good relationships with parents ensure that children and their families are well supported which means the continuity of care is maintained. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework; as a result, children are making good progress in their development. Self-evaluation is effective in identifying strengths and weaknesses and the childminder is able to demonstrate how she has made improvements to her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 find alternative ways for children to experiment with mark making and writing for themselves.

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provision

Parents receive clear and detailed information about the children's care and education through daily discussions with the childminder. Further information is available through a parents' information pack, which contains a copy of the childminder's policies and procedures. The childminder has developed close links with the local pre-school and schools for example to promote continuity of care and learning for the children she minds.

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provision

The childminder attends training and is committed to improving her knowledge of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childcare. She has a good understanding of the importance of regular risk assessments of the home and garden to ensure children's safety. All outings are assessed and her secure knowledge of child protection issues and procedures help to safeguard the children's welfare. She has written fire evacuation procedures which are practised regularly with the children. She has appropriate contingency plans in place to ensure children are safe at all times and all adults within the household have undergone appropriate checks.

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provision

The childminder's home is clean and the childminder is meticulous in her procedures to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is committed to improving outcomes for children. She takes account of the parents and children's views when considering where to make changes to the provision and she recognises that there is always room for improvement. She maintains a friendly but supportive and professional relationship with parents and shares valuable information about children's achievements. This allows parents to support their child's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident and relaxed in the childminder's home. They enjoy their play together in a comfortable environment where they have plenty of free choice and many opportunities to develop new skills. They enjoy warm relationships with the childminder. They interact well during social events such as snack and activity time. They enjoy recalling past events and express themselves well using good vocabulary. Children's politeness reflects that of the childminder who encourages good manners and respect. Children learn acceptable behaviour because the childminder sets clear boundaries and explains the reasons for her requests. Praise and encouragement promote children's self-esteem and aids them in developing knowledge of right and wrong.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted extremely well within this provision. They access individual labelled towels and flannels for hand washing, which are hung at children's height in the bathroom. Younger children receive gentle reminders and very good support during bathroom routine times when washing their hands before meals or after craft activities. They choose to use individual laminated placemats at meal times which are wiped clean before and after meals to reduce the risk of infection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are good systems in place to assess children's starting points. Planning covers all areas of learning and is flexible enough to allow for their individual preferences. The childminder makes observations that identify where children are in their learning which helps her plan for their next steps. Craft activities, drawing and colouring encourage children's creativity as well as pre-writing skills. Although the childminder uses work sheets which are not always conducive to promoting children's early literacy and writing skills. Children enjoy making ladybirds with collage materials and mould shapes with neon coloured foam putty. Their independence is encouraged as children choose toys, resources and activities according to their interests using the choice book. Young children's language This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development is supported well as the childminder talks about the activities they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are engaged in. Indoors children enjoy imaginary play using the farm and the play house as well as looking at books. Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor play in the garden and regularly visit local parks and recreation grounds. This allows them to play on large equipment such as climbing frames and roundabouts. 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? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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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