Henbury View First 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 147710 Inspection date 19/03/2009 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 registered in 2000. She lives with her husband, three children aged six, 11 and 13 and a foster child, aged 12 in a hamlet within walking distance to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is at ground level. The family has a dog, some tropical fish, a hamster, a chameleon, a cat and a horse which is kept in a field close by.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group, all of whom are part-time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has established links with parents. She holds a Level 3 Cache certificate in Childminding Practise and a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification in childcare and education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers all children a safe, secure and welcoming environment. She offers effective support in order for them to thrive in their environment and make good progress in their learning and development. The partnership she has with parents is a key strength and greatly contributes to ensuring that the individual needs of all children are met. The childminder's thoughtful approach to planning ensures that children's interests and development are promoted and that they enjoy their time with her. The childminder has good procedures in place for monitoring and self-evaluating her practice, enabling her to have a clear understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement, therefore she is able to make effective changes to improve the daily care and experiences for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the evacuation drill is carried out regularly to ensure that all children are aware of the procedure to be followed and develop a procedure to be followed in the event of a child not being collected  ensure that assessments are used effectively to monitor and track children's developmental progress.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  complete a full risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken, which includes an assessment of required adult: child ratios and ensure that this is reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 09/04/2009

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provision

The childminder has devised a range of well-written policies and procedures to safeguard children in her care. She has completed additional training and has the necessary guidance in place to support her knowledge. She has a written procedure in place to protect children should they become lost, however, there is no procedure in place for uncollected children. There is an emergency evacuation procedure which is practised with the children, although, there are some children being cared for who are unaware of the procedure to be followed should an emergency arise, potentially affecting their safety.

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provision

The childminder plans activities on a weekly basis which are age and stage appropriate as well as being based on the children's interests and ideas. She effectively involves parents in her setting, for example, they are regularly welcomed in to discuss their children's development and the childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to their feedback, making changes where necessary. The childminder has a vast collection of thank you cards and letters from parents stating that they are very happy with the care their children receive.

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provision

All children, regardless of their background, are offered meaningful support, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of their learning. Their individual development is well-promoted because the childminder has practical procedures in place to monitor and evaluate this. The effective procedures for self-evaluating her own practice demonstrates that the childminder has the capacity to improve.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled. They are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that supports them in making good progress in all areas of their learning and development. The planning is well-organised, on a weekly basis, to ensure that all areas of learning are covered and children's individual needs are taken into account. Individual observations, for each child, are carried out on a regular basis and their next steps are recorded and used to inform the planning of future activities. The childminder uses assessments to record children's achievements, although these do not fully show where developmental progress is made. The childminder ensures that her planning offers children a balanced and broad range of activities and incorporates a balance of inside and outside activities. The activities offered are fun, enjoyable and fully enable children to learn through their play and daily experiences, for example, as children make mother's day

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

flowers out of tissue paper and straws they talk about different colours and textures of the paper. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder actively involves herself in the planned and child-led activities and thoughtfully organises the welcoming environment with clearly labelled boxes so that children can self-select resources for themselves. Children are fully encouraged to do things for themselves, promoting their independence. They are encouraged to put on and take off their coats and shoes and older children are fully encouraged to help prepare snack and pour their own drinks out. The activities and opportunities offered are easily adapted to ensure that all children can participate in what is offered. The children have built up a friendly bond with the childminder who interacts and fully involves herself in their play. They respond well to her, and each other, and are settled in the warm and welcoming

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare is mostly promoted as the childminder takes some steps to minimise the spread of infection. Toys and resources are checked on a regular basis and children are encouraged to wash their hands before meal times. Children are cared for in a safe environment because the childminder has a good understanding of this area. She ensures that she offers clear explanations which help children gain an understanding of taking care of themselves and others. The childminder carries out safety checks in the areas used by children but she does not carry out a full risk assessment for outings with the children which potentially affects their safety. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 09/04/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 09/04/2009

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