Western 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 129268 Inspection date 30/04/2009 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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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 registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 12 years in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, together with bedrooms upstairs, which are used for sleeping young children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the childminder's house is via a step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered to provide three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and there are currently two children attending who are within this age group. She has a variation to care for four children in this age range for a short period between May and July 2009. The children live locally or travel in from the surrounding area. Two children attend other settings, such as the local pre-school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There are currently three children on roll in this age range. The childminder holds a nursing qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of provision is good. The childminder offers excellent learning opportunities within a well ordered, stimulating environment in which children feel fully involved in their learning. The childminder's individual and flexible approach to planning ensures that each child’s needs are fully identified, catered for and they thoroughly enjoy their time with her. The partnership with parents and carers is very good and contributes to ensuring that children's needs are being consistently supported and met. The childminder has informative procedures for evaluating her practice, which means that she has a clear picture of her strengths and weaknesses which enables her to make changes which lead to improvements in 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?

 ensure all policies, statements and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated. This refers to the complaints policy and log book  develop the initial assessments of children so that these are used to influence the planning of activities in the early stages  ensure that all medication entries are consistently countersigned by parents or carers and that the attendance record is documented with all the times the children are present. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Informative records, policies and procedures are reviewed and shared with parents to support the welfare of the children. Sound safeguarding policies, such as lost and uncollected child statements ensure that children are protected at all times and the childminder has improved her child protection procedure as asked for at the last inspection. She has organised good communication systems with parents, relating to their children's care and learning. For example, she discusses the children's development daily at pick up time, records the days events in a communication sheet which is given to parents explaining their progress, activities and how these link to the EYFS. Children's care routines are discussed with parents at placement time, but these are not detailed enough to be used as a base for developing the planning of children's activities in the initial stages. The childminder provides an excellent stimulating and securing atmosphere for the children and

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provision

makes sure that the activities include areas they need to improve upon such as building their confidence, colour recognition and independence skills. She assesses the children very well through written observations and does not miss any opportunity to develop and extend their knowledge through appropriate suggestions, open questioning and discussion.

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provision

There are clear procedures for monitoring and evaluating the childminder's practice which mean that the childminder is aware of areas needing improvement such as identified on the self evaluation form, which includes areas and priorities to develop. The childminder checks the premises daily before the children arrive using a detailed check list identifying any hazards to eliminate and has written risk assessments on her premises, outings and garden. She has a good commitment to training having attended various courses such as safeguarding children, behaviour management and food hygiene. Questionnaires are distributed to parents and the responses are reviewed and acted upon. The childminder has organised her home and resources well, routinely rotating the toys to aid variety and challenge. She makes sure that all children can self-select from a wide range of play materials set out in designated areas so children are familiar where they can find their chosen

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provision

activity. All documentation relating to each child is detailed, confidentially stored and parents have access to all records whenever they wish. However, some documentation is not routinely update, countersigned or filled in consistently which could lead to misunderstandings with parents. The childminder has very good relations with other settings the children attend and she routinely shares information relating to their learning which further ensures consistency of care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in all areas of learning and development because activity planning is securely rooted in their individual interests, current developmental needs and the practice guidance to the EYFS. The environment is set up attractively with designated areas for craft play, a home corner and the floor area available is used for exploratory play and construction games. The childminder plans weekly opportunities to extend children understanding more fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as developing themes on the weather, mini beasts and healthy lifestyles. The children develop their vocabulary though stories or through investigation of the natural world. For example, children know when to turn pages when using the story tapes and talk about what is happening, discussing the meaning of being brave, feeling dizzy, what a cocoon is and light and dark shades of colour. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder also links her plans to visits in the community or special days out such as to the library to choose books, toddler groups for socialising and the zoo and farm to see and identify animals or stroke the guinea pigs. This is extended further when using craft materials or play dough.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a wide range of activities indoors and outside and are encouraged to explore their environment. For example, children are keen to investigate the natural world when digging and planting carrots and sunflowers. They measure these, have opportunities to see graphs relating to their size and happily discuss whose was the biggest, longest, tallest or shortest. Children's self- esteem is promoted because their conversations and contributions are genuinely valued and all opportunities are utilised to extend their learning. For example, the childminder uses spontaneous situations and follows the children’s lead in play to develop their understating of the world such as developing story lines through appropriate suggestion and information when talking about holiday trips abroad. This is further supportive with colourful, home made posters with French words, which the children are fascinated with, developing the children’s love of languages.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They have asked to create similar posters relating to Spanish words. They have opportunities to visit the park or garden to use the climbing apparatus, slide, swings and gain co-ordination skills when playing football or digging the planting patch.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment because the childminder has a very good understanding of this area. The childminder conducts daily checks of the home, which ensures her toys are safe, that children cannot exit the premises unseen or touch electrical sockets. Children take part in routines that promote their understanding of safety such as regular fire drills, discussions relating to 'stranger danger' and they practise road safety on their walks. Children are well nourished as the childminder supplies snacks and meals using fresh ingredients and encourages the children to understand the importance of a wholesome food options and healthy exercise gaining an appreciating a healthy life style. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has all the relevant information and contact details readily available. 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? 1 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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