Atherton St George's CofE 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 130300 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Gail Groves

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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 has been childminding for 27 years. She lives with her husband in Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools and from their homes. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children make generally effective progress in their learning and development within a stimulating and homely environment. Their welfare is well promoted because all of the policies, procedures and documentation required to protect children's safety and good health are in place and are used consistently. All children are included and are well supported to participate in activities and children's individual needs are met in close partnership with their parents and carers. Partnerships with other providers are also fostered in order to provide appropriate continuity and support for children's learning. The childminder sets herself high standards and her ability to accurately evaluate her provision allows her to continually improve her practice so that her plans for the future are well targeted to bring about further improvement to the provision and the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to assess and monitor each child's progression towards the early learning goals in each of area of learning  develop planning systems to clearly show the links between the Early Years Foundation Stage and the identified next steps in their learning.

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted very well. The childminder strives at all times to provide the highest quality care and education for all children and regularly attends training to update and enhance her skills. She is well organised This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and works extremely hard to ensure that all the documentation required for the safe, efficient management of her provision and to meet all children's needs is fully in place and carefully maintained. Her self-evaluation procedures take account of the views of both parents and children and allow her to accurately identify her strengths and areas for improvement. This has led her to make improvements to her practice that have had a positive impact on the overall quality of the early years provision and have improved the health, safety and welfare of all of the children. For example, she has further developed the range of toys and resources

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provision

that she offers to children and now ensures that her medication records are more clearly organised so that children's health needs can be easily monitored and met.

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provision

The childminder has very effective policies and procedures in place which consistently protect children's safety and well-being. She carefully organises her home to provide a safe, stimulating and attractive environment which meets the needs of all children. For example, resources are made readily and safely accessible in order to encourage children's independence and self-esteem. The childminder's routines are flexible and allow all children to choose activities and develop their own games as well as taking part in planned activities such as painting, cooking or exploring sand or playdough. In addition, her clear understanding of child protection issues and procedures ensures that children's welfare and well-being are effectively safeguarded.

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provision

The childminder forms a strong, trusting partnership with parents and carers. She works closely with them to meet any developmental needs such as potty training. She respects and values their wishes and views at all times and encourages them to share in depth what they know about their child, particularly when their child first starts to attend. They are encouraged to have an input into their children's learning through their daily discussions with the childminder, the detailed written diaries and photographs she provides and the opportunities they have to share and receive copies of their child's observations and achievements. When caring for children attending school, the childminder works to develop a partnership with the school in order to foster continuity in children's care and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare, learning and development effectively. Robust hygiene procedures ensure that children's good health and well-being are well promoted and that all necessary steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks. They are encouraged to learn about the importance that good hygiene routines; healthy eating and physical exercise play a part in developing a healthy lifestyle. In addition, their safety is given a high priority. Furniture, equipment and toys are good quality, well maintained and meet all children's needs. Children learn to keep themselves safe through discussions and practical experiences within their everyday routines. For example, they regularly practise the fire evacuation procedure and learn to understand road safety rules when they are out walking with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's calm, consistent approach to dealing with issues of unwanted behaviour allows children to clearly understand what is required of them. Young This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are encouraged to share, take turns and learn to play together so that they develop social skills. Visits to the childminder's friend to play with her grandchildren support this further. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are well supported because the childminder works with their parents to understand and meet their individual needs. For example, when parents use signing to support and develop their young children's emerging language skills, the childminder also learns and uses the signs to continue to develop their understanding.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy planned, purposeful play and exploration, both in and out of doors, with a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities. These encourage children to become active learners who make effective progress towards the early learning goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder supports children's learning well and is skilled at knowing when to intervene in their play and when to allow them to explore and develop without support. They feel very comfortable and at home in her care, have high levels of confidence and self-esteem because they develop affectionate relationships with her and have frequent opportunities to make choices and decisions throughout their daily routine. They develop good physical skills and co-ordination because they use scooters and cars in the garden, visit the park to use the large scale play equipment and take part in music and movement sessions indoors. They learn about the natural world by planting seeds

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and discovering that they need water and sunshine to grow. They develop an understanding of mathematical concepts as they weigh and measure ingredients when they cook cakes and begin to understand simple technology as they press the buttons on interactive toys to play music. Babies and young children explore treasure baskets to develop their understanding of the world around them and all children use paint, glue and playdough to develop creative skills in a variety of interesting ways. The childminder carefully extends children's language and vocabulary skills throughout her interactions with them. They have opportunities to develop early reading and writing skills as they draw with pens and pencils and learn to recognise their written name on their drinking cup.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is currently in the process of developing her observation and planning systems and her daily observations and assessments of what children know and can do help her to identify any particular learning needs. However, although she clearly understands the Early Years Foundation Stage she does not yet sufficiently identify in her plans how the learning intentions of the activities she provides to support these needs link to the stepping stones of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Also, she does not yet have a system in place to fully monitor children's progression towards the early learning goals within each area of learning. This therefore makes it difficult for her to assess how effectively she is meeting children's learning needs. 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

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