Walton Alison Margaret

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 EY244867 Inspection date 24/03/2009 Inspector Ann Marie Cozzi

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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 2003. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, three of which may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered to care for children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with daughter aged ten years. They live in a residential area of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. There is one small step into the setting. A downstairs toilet is available, helping to promote an inclusive environment. The whole of the house, managed by the childminder, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The needs of children are met as the uniqueness of each child is recognised. Children make satisfactory progress as they enjoy a suitable range of learning experiences across all areas of development. However, systems to promote and monitor children's progress in relation to the early learning goals are insecure. On the whole there are appropriate systems in place to ensure that children's welfare is protected, however, there are some weaknesses in risk assessment. The childminder undertakes some evaluation and monitoring of her service. At the start of placement all relevant information is gathered from parents and carers this ensures that no child is disadvantaged.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a regular two-way flow of information with parents and between providers to promote children's learning and development  develop further sensitive observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that the premises is secure to ensure that children do not leave unescorted (Safeguarding and welfare; also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 07/04/2009  undertake a risk assessment which identifies aspects of the environment which need to be checked on a regular basis: maintain a record of these particular aspects and when and by whom they have been checked; take all reasonable steps to ensure that 07/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hazards to children are kept to a minimum (Safeguarding and welfare; also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register).

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provision

The childminder has attended some related training since her last inspection, for example, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This assists her in keeping up-to- date with current childcare practice. She has a range of policies and procedures in place which are made available to parents and carers. For example, her child protection policy is clear and ensures that those using her service are made fully aware of the procedure. The organisation of the setting is sound and the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to promote children’s welfare in line with the EYFS. The childminder has made improvements recommended at her last inspection and has undertaken a reflective review of her service which further promotes a culture for future improvement.

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provision

There are some systems in place to keep parents and carers informed about their children. This is in the main based on informal discussions about how children have spent their time whilst with the childminder and any relevant care issues that arise. However, ongoing communication with parents and other providers is not focused on children's learning and development. This does not ensure that children’s individual needs are accurately and consistently identified in order, to fully promote their progress towards the early learning goals.

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provision

Most records are accurately maintained, although, risk assessment is limited. For example, whilst there are full risk assessments in place for outings, information relating to the home environment does not address everyday potential hazards children may come in to contact with. The childminder promotes children's good health through her daily routine, for example, children are supported to wash their hands at appropriate times and a balanced range of snacks including fresh fruit are available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They are provided with a warm, sensitive and caring environment. There is ample space available and children are encouraged to independently investigate a variety of play materials. They enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and have fun as they play with and explore resources. The childminder provides children with opportunities to develop and extend their skills. She knows the children well and uses this knowledge to extend their learning. For example, activities which promote problem solving, reasoning and numeracy. Although the childminder does not have any formal planning or assessment systems, she has begun to undertake some observations of children at play. However, these are limited and do not link to all areas of learning in order to accurately assess children’s next steps. As a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

consequence, planning is not effective in ensuring that children’s learning is consistently and effectively challenged in all areas. This has the potential to limit children's progress towards the early learning goals at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have plenty of opportunity for physical activity as they explore their environment and use outdoor play equipment in the rear garden. They are encouraged to adopt healthy habits which is promoted by the option of healthy snacks and learning about washing their hands at appropriate times. Behaviour management strategies include clear boundaries which are appropriate for each child’s level of understanding and maturity. This encourages children to learn to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others. However, as a result of the lack of risk assessments children are not fully protected from potential hazards, for example, possible unsupervised exit from the premises and access to the first floor of the home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's language is developed through access to books and lots of interesting conversations with the childminder. She is adept at using facial gestures and intonation in her voice to encourage participation and interactive communication. For example, whilst at play she talks with children about what they are doing and numbers, shapes and sounds. At times children work independently and enjoy working in cooperation with the childminder. Support from the childminder and her organisation of the setting promotes choices and enables children to make decisions independently. They are actively encouraged to learn about their local environment and the natural world as they observe changing seasons on their regular walks to the local river. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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 (safeguarding and welfare ) 07/04/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (safeguarding and welfare ) 07/04/2009

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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 (safeguarding and welfare ) 07/04/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (safeguarding and welfare ) 07/04/2009 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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