Heckmondwike 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 130351 Inspection date 03/02/2009 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and ten years. They live on the outskirts of Watford town centre. The ground floor of the property is fully accessible, there is a downstairs cloakroom. All areas of the property are used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a small dog, tropical fish, a cat and fancy rats in appropriate housing.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a qualified teacher. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. She is currently minding four children, part time, in the early years age group and three children over the age of eight years around school times. At the time of the inspection two children in the early years age group were being cared alongside the childminder's own children who were off school due to extreme weather conditions.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is highly effective in providing an inclusive environment and in promoting children's progress in all areas. Observations and planning are being developed to ensure children's achievements are recorded to extend and plan for future learning. Most documents are in place for the smooth running of the setting and for the safety and well-being of all children. The childminder has a very positive attitude to developing her practice. She has established strategies to ensure there is capacity to monitor and maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for planning activities that meets children's individual learning needs using observations of their development to plan for future learning.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure risk assessments are recorded in sufficient detail for each type of outing with the children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 13/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The leadership and management of the setting is very effective. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to keep children safe through robust procedures and routines. The childminder sets herself high standards, this is evident through the comprehensive documents that are in place. A comprehensive self-evaluation process includes information from parents. Their comments assist in identifying strengths and areas of her practice that are to be further developed. Letters from children are also included in this process.

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provision

The childminder ensures an inclusive environment for all children. She is fully aware of family backgrounds and encourages children to talk about important family events. Most of the children cared for have been very long standing arrangements. Children previously cared for many years ago are still frequent visitors to the family home. Where children need additional support this is identified and ideas to promote language and to develop particular skills is shared with parents. The partnership with parents is exceptionally good. When children have enjoyed a particular activity photographs are taken on a mobile phone to send to parents. Children are fully involved in the process and show great delight as the childminder shows them the text replies that are full of praise from their parents.

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provision

The care environment is welcoming and provides children with interesting and stimulating areas to play and to learn. Children's safety within the home and garden are consistently monitored. However, risk assessments for outings are not in place which means that procedures are not consistent. Children are given clear boundaries as they learn about safety in the home and out in the community through discussions and home made posters. These remind them of simple day to day routines such as hand washing and road safety rules.

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provision

Children's understanding about healthy living is consistently promoted. Posters around the home support their learning about a healthy diet. Individual dietary requirements are integrated into the meals provided for all children. Day to day routines and events give children a strong sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how children learn. All children are extremely well supported to enable them to make progress in all areas of their learning and development. Photographs in the children's scrap books show them taking part in varied range of exciting and interesting play and learning opportunities. There is a very good balance of child and adult-led activities. Parents are well informed about their children's achievements. But observations and planning are not linked to the early learning goals. The plans do not show how the activities are extended for the more able children and how children are making progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Resources for all children are readily available around the home. Older children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 able to access age appropriate toys and games and make independent decisions about their play. They have use of the family computer and may play the piano.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All areas of learning are covered in the activities and opportunities made available for children in the early years age group. They show great concentration as they settle to do jigsaw puzzles with the help of older children. Language is extended, experiences are shared and a strong sense of achievement is felt as complex puzzles are completed and shown to the childminder and visitors. Babies are provided with toys and games that promote their specific early skills. They receive great encouragement as they are helped to stand and to walk with help from their carer. Babies show great strength of character as they try to reach puzzles set on the floor for the older children. They are given large puzzle pieces but continue to try to 'play' with the older children who are very understanding to the needs of the much younger babies. When routines are disrupted by snow children enjoy the opportunity to play with the older children. Their physical skills are tested with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children very well. She plans activities to meet the needs of the range of ages that she cares for. She gives praise and encouragement and promotes language development. She asks appropriate questions which gives all children opportunities to think for themselves and to take advantage of the well-resourced environment. Children use photographs to register themselves on the wall display. They talk about their friends and anticipate other children coming to join them on different days.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well behaved. They have a growing awareness of the needs of others. The young children enjoy going to toddler groups where they have established very good social skills. They are encouraged to explore in a new but safe environment and to take part in a range of social and play activities. Children form excellent relationships with adults and their peers. Different views, cultures, beliefs and abilities are recognised and respected. Day to day routines and activities are adapted to ensure all children's individual needs and interests are recognised and met. 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? 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? 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 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 registration that has required the provider to take any actions.

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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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