Gillshill Primary 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 117720 Inspection date 28/01/2009 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 years, in Baldock, Hertfordshire. Access to the childminder home is by a path up to the front door from the drive which is off from the main road . The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and older children are able to access two further first floor bedrooms as additional play areas. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently minding five children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and none on the compulsory or voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has two rabbits in a run in the garden and a gold fish. The childminder holds an NVQ level 3 in childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children have excellent play and learning opportunities within the Early Years Foundation Stage, with generally sound observations and assessment procedures. Children’s health, welfare and safeguarding is given high priority by the childminder. There are the beginnings of systems to fully reflect and monitor the childminder’s performance to assist with further developing activities which may challenge the learning needs of children. The childminder has a very positive working partnership with parents and carers and this contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all children are met and any additional support is achieved. The documentation is of a high standard to fully support the childminder’s practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the process to self-evaluate and monitor the practice and systems in the setting recognising how these processes can extend effective practice and help improve outcomes for children  develop observation and assessment procedures to further plan the next steps in children's developmental progress and regularly review this approach.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of how to protect children and recognises this as her first priority. This is done through having effective risk assessments and taking positive steps to support her knowledge and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of safeguarding children, such as attending training. To further support this knowledge she has clear and up-to-date guidance and information and highly effective safeguarding policies.

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provision

The childminder is extremely well organised with her resources and documentation which support her promotion of inclusive practice and protecting children in her care. The childminder has developed very clear policies and procedures which she links where possible to the Early Years Foundation Stage, Every Child Matters outcomes and the welfare requirements. Children’s progress is reasonably well tracked through the use of observations and assessment records of their achievements and possible next steps. This is achieved through the use of photographic and written evidence in individual scrap books. However, at yet these assessments do not fully extend and challenge children’s learning and developmental progress. The children’s progress records, topics and general day to day care are shared with the parents which help them keep informed about their individual child’s progress and enables the parents to continue their children’s

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provision

The childminder is extremely keen to develop her knowledge and understanding of childcare by undertaking training and short courses. She is currently undertaking a childcare degree. The childminder has begun to focus and develop the evaluation of her practice through discussion with the parents, by checking the assessment procedures she carries out on the children and addressing recommendations raised at the last inspection. As yet the process is not firmly established to fully support her practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s learning and development is successfully supported by the childminder who takes great care in her planning and organising of resources and topics to enable children to successfully achieve. The childminder celebrates their achievements by photographs and art work which is displayed in individual scrap books which she readily shares with their parents. Children are keen to explore the toys on offer, for example, very young children enjoy tactile type play materials, and toddler age children confidently build the train track and discuss what they find in the train box. Children have good opportunities to practice their mark making skills through using crayons, paints and painting with their fingers, as well as making marks as they play with cooked noodles. The atmosphere is very relaxed as nursery rhymes play in the background. Now and again children join in with the songs playing. The childminder is excellent at chatting and engaging with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

all the children whatever their age. For example, babies happily babble and smile and show contentment, older children are keen to share their news and their thoughts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Through well-planned activities children confidently learn how to use tools such as rolling pins and cutters when using play dough or scissors for cutting. The childminder supports children by reminding them of previous occasions when they did cutting and how they held the scissors, helping their learning. Low level baskets of books and toys enable children to independently select and make their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 own choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are achieved through daily counting as well as in planned activities. Children find out about their environment and talk about those features they like and dislike through trips out within the local community, learning about different festivals and cultures such as Chinese New Year. For example, the childminder talks about how noodles are made, how people eat them, and gives children opportunities to experiment and explore chop sticks. The childminder is very good at ensuring all children are included and will adapt an activity so that all children can join in. They have good opportunities to learn to share, take turns and respect one another. Children’s learning opportunities are expanded as the childminder takes children on trips to local recreational facilities where they get to use their physical skills, receive fresh air and exercise and through playing out in the garden. Trips to local toddler groups give children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

different play and learning experiences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to keep themselves safe and healthy as they are supported by the childminder. For example, the childminder provides healthy snacks and children either sit at a low table or in the high chair so they have snack time together which is a very social time as lots of discussion take place. She works with the parents to ensure the children’s packed lunches have healthy options included, additionally a healthy eating poster on display helps to reinforce children’s learning. The use of risk assessments ensure that children are safe both inside and outside and these are regularly reviewed to ensure they promote children’s safety and health. Children’s welfare is further enhanced by the childminder holding an up to date first aid training certificate and having relevant documentation in place to support the care and welfare of the 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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