Harlescott House 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

p.1

Unique reference number 149268 Inspection date 09/03/2009 Inspector Jo Rowley

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children, one is aged 11 years and one is an adult, in 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 down seven steps. The family has a dog, a cat and a rabbit.

p.3

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 three children in this age group, all of which are full-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.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has established links with the local pre-school and nursery and she is currently studying for a Level 3 National Vocational Qualification.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides children with a warm and welcoming environment. She offers meaningful support to all children, ensuring that they thrive in their environment and make good progress in their learning and development. The partnership she has with parents and the local pre- school is a key strength and greatly contributes to ensuring that the individual needs of all children are met. The childminder's thoughtful approach to the 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 which enables 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.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure that the six areas of learning and children’s next steps are incorporated into the planning of activities  ensure that there is a procedure to be followed in the event of a parent failing to collect a child.

p.3

provision

The childminder has devised a range of well-written policies and procedures to assist her in safeguarding the children in her care. She has a comprehensive This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding policy and she completes a regular risk assessment within her home and for outings the children take part in. The emergency evacuation procedure is clearly displayed on all exits and children regularly take part in the procedure to extend their knowledge of what to do should an emergency arise. However, there is no procedure to be followed in the event of a parent failing to collect, potentially affecting children's safety.

p.3

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. The childminder fully involves parents in her setting. For example, they are regularly welcomed in to discuss their children's development and have two-way daily diaries in place. The childminder has created questionnaires for parents to complete and she demonstrates a positive and meaningful attitude to their feedback, making changes where necessary. Parents say that they are very happy with the care their children receive and that their children are very settled in the atmosphere that the childminder provides.

p.4

provision

Children are very well-supported, enabling them to make good progress in their learning. Their individual development is well-promoted because the childminder has practical procedures in place to monitor and evaluate this. The written procedures for self-evaluating her own practice demonstrates that the childminder has the capacity to improve.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that supports them in making good progress in all their learning and development. Planning is organised on a weekly basis and takes in to account children's individual needs, although, the six areas of learning are not always effectively covered. Individual observations for all children, in the early years age group, are completed and assessment records are used to track each child's ongoing progress. However, although children's next steps are recorded on each observation these are not used to influence the planning of activities and therefore, children's development is not always effectively extended. The childminder ensures that her flexible planning offers children a balanced and broad range of activities, both inside and outside the home.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a range of adult-led and child-initiated activities because the childminder allows them to extend the activities planned. An example of this is where children are playing with a plastic toy potato with interchangeable parts. They use the potato figures to create their own game of Mums and children. Together the children make up their own story and use different voices to play the different characters. Children enjoy the activities offered because they are fun and they fully enable children to learn through their play and daily experiences. The childminder actively involves herself in the children's play and she thoughtfully organises the very welcoming environment with posters and colourful displays of children's own work and photographs on the walls.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's independence is very well-promoted as they are consistently encouraged This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to do things for themselves. An example of this is where children choose, from a selection, which fruit they would like for snack. They peel and cut the fruit independently with the childminder supporting the children and effectively developing their understanding further as they talk about different fruits and healthy eating. All activities and opportunities offered are easily adapted to ensure that all children can participate in what is offered. Children have good opportunities to develop their knowledge of the wider world as they use resources such as dressing up clothes, books and jigsaw puzzles. The children have built up a strong bond with the childminder and they respond well to her as she interacts and fully involves herself in their play. Children share resources with each other, visibly

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoy playing with each other and are clearly settled in the warm and friendly atmosphere.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare are well-promoted as the childminder takes effective steps to minimise the spread of infection. For example, children are fully encouraged to wash their hands regularly, they learn about germs and why it's important to keep clean. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder has a good understanding of this area. For example, she ensures that she offers clear explanations which help children gain an understanding of taking care of themselves and others and she has completed additional safeguarding training. The childminder ensures that she carries a first aid kit when out of the home and both herself and the children carry an emergency card with details of who to contact should an accident occur, further safeguarding children in her care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8