Old Sarum 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 149207 Inspection date 14/07/2009 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1999. She lives with her partner and two children aged 14 and 10 in the Shephall area of Stevenage, Hertfordshire. 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 via one small step. The family has no pets.

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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 three 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 compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has made links with the local pre-school and collects children from the local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which all children thrive. She often looks after children over many years, offering continuity of care whilst also building a trusting relationship with parents and carers. The childminder's effective approach to planning ensures that the children's interests and development are well-promoted and that they enjoy their time with her. By also self-evaluating her practice she is gaining a clear picture 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?

 make further use of the assessment arrangements to demonstrate where children are in their development and the plans for their next steps  review the use of attendance records to ensure their accuracy.

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provision

Effective safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children are well- protected at all times. For example, the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection and has the required contact numbers in place for dealing with concerns. She uses clear and practical procedures, such as, daily safety checks and regular risk assessments for monitoring the environment, enabling the children to move around the premises freely and with confidence. For example, they are accompanied to the bathroom until they are confident and competent enough to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 go on their own. The childminder also has effective and well thought out procedures for taking the children on outings. For example, all children wear a wrist band containing the childminders contact details and are able to demonstrate the reason for wearing it, increasing their knowledge of keeping themselves safe.

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provision

Older children are also given mobile phones enabling them to have some freedom whilst also being able to contact the childminder should they need to.

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provision

The Childminder continuously evaluates her daily practice, verbally seeking the views of parents and attending additional training to update her childcare knowledge. She identifies areas for improvement and has shown her capacity to improve. For example, she has increased the range of resources for the older children to enjoy and has plans to develop the younger children's creative play, by purchasing a shopping till and play money. She completed the self-evaluation form before inspection and plans to use it in the future as a tool for reflecting on her practice, therefore improving the daily care she offers.

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provision

Children's individual development is well-promoted because the childminder has effective procedures in place to monitor and evaluate their learning and progress. A close and trusting partnership with parents, carers and others involved in the children's lives ensures that all relevant information is shared and a consistent approach given. Organised documentation ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminder's policies and procedures, detailing her working ethos and good practice. However, as children's times of arrival and departure are not always consistently recorded their safety is potentially compromised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress across all areas of learning and development. The childminder uses her good knowledge of each child together with the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance, observations and assessments to check where children are in their development and to plan for their next steps. However, as this is not consistently carried out, areas of concern or further challenge may not be highlighted and therefore children's development is not optimally promoted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her weekly planning offers children a balanced and broad range of activities, both inside and outside the home, that are fun and encourage them to learn through play. For example, their knowledge and understanding of the natural world is developing as they grow tomato plants in the garden, eagerly counting to see whose plant has the most flowers and discussing what the flowers will eventually turn into. The childminder fully includes all children in the activities by adapting her language and the support she gives to meet each child's individual needs and their level of development. For example, as children use their problem solving skills to work out how cogs and wheels go round on a board, the childminder extends their thinking by asking questions, such as 'what makes it move?' and 'how is it going to turn?' and is full of praise when they make it work showing their delight by clapping and laughing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing their knowledge of the world around them as they, for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, visit the British Schools Museum and experience writing on slate boards with chalk. They are actively involved in planning the activities, making the childminder aware of what they would like to do so that it can be planned appropriately. All children are treated with equal concern and respected individually. The childminder is able to provide care for all children and promotes an inclusive environment. Children are clearly settled with the childminder and demonstrate their trust in the relationship by, for example, asking for a cuddle when they want one. They are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour and are fully supported in finding strategies that encourage them to make the right choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare are well-promoted as the childminder takes steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Before going outside the childminder asks the children what they need to wear when it is sunny. After a little prompting from the childminder, patting her head they remember they need their sun hats and run to fetch them. Children are encouraged to eat healthily as they are provided with a wide variety of healthy home cooked meals and snacks. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's favourite dish so that it can be regularly included in the menu. Overall the childminder effectively plans and organises their systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual 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: 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

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 28/07/2009

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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

 provide a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints). 28/07/2009

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