St Mary's Church of England High School (VA)

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 117595 Inspection date 05/06/2009 Inspector Jane Mount

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 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 March 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult child and the property is situated in Shenley, Hertfordshire. The childminder's husband is also registered as a childminder and both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. All areas of the property are included in the registration although the ground floor of the childminder's home is mainly used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are situated on the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog, six cats and two tanks of fish.

p.3

Description of the childminding

Overnight care is included in the registration and the childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time including three children in the early years age group when working alone. When working with another childminder she can care for a maximum of eight children under eight years. In partnership with her husband, the childminder is currently caring for two children, both of whom are in the early years age range. They attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are treated as individuals as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure individual needs are fully met. Children feel at home in the childminding environment and share secure, friendly relationships with the childminder. Learning opportunities actively engage children and children are making good progress in their learning and development. Most documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and children are safeguarded and their welfare is fully protected. Processes of self-evaluation to ensure continued improvement are not yet implemented.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 implement a quality improvement process such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 maintain a written risk assessment to show how potential hazards to children are highlighted and minimised and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment, also applies to both parts 19/06/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the Childcare Register).

p.3

provision

Children's care, learning and welfare are fully promoted because the childminder puts the needs of each of the children in her care first. The environment is safe and supportive and she organises her time, routine and resources to ensure children's needs are met and all children are fully included. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and has worked hard to become familiar with the EYFS framework and requirements. Most documentation required for the safe management of the setting and to meet the needs of the children is in place and organised well. For example, written parental consent is obtained from parents prior to any medication being administered and children's attendance is accurately recorded. However, although children's safety is given high priority and is fully protected through on-going visual risk assessments and close supervision, no record is maintained of how potential hazards are highlighted and minimised to

p.4

provision

keep children safe. Children's welfare is safeguarded and the childminder knows what to do if she did have a concern to protect children from harm. For example, she regularly updates her child protection knowledge through training and is currently completing an online safeguarding children course. Also, she has an informative and recently reviewed safeguarding policy and child protection guidance publications are readily available.

p.4

provision

Children benefit from a childminder who understands the importance of continuous professional development and she regularly attends appropriate short courses and workshops to keep up-to-date with current childcare practices. The childminder is generally aware of her key strengths and areas for further development and some processes are already in place to monitor the effectiveness of her practice. For example, she seeks regular verbal feedback from parents and reviews children's contracts and updates her policies and procedures. Other reflective systems such as self-evaluation to closely monitor and evaluate her practice to ensure continued improvement are about to be implemented.

p.4

provision

The childminder shows a strong commitment to inclusive practice and takes great care to find out about and to meet children's individual needs. She welcomes the children in her care and their families into her home and works closely with parents to provide an inclusive environment. Highly effective settling-in procedures ensure children settle well and feel secure in their surroundings. Parents are provided with good quality information. For example, a portfolio is available and parents are fully aware of the setting's policies and procedures as they receive their own copies. Information is effectively exchanged between the childminder and parents on a daily basis. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress and achievements and are encouraged to be involved in their learning. For example, children's individual portfolios are regularly shared with parents and the childminder ensures parents are aware of planned activities, topics and themes

p.4

provision

their children are going to be involved in. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses the EYFS framework to plan a varied range of activities and play experiences for children. Planning is flexible and is mainly led by children's interests with activities adapted to cater for each child. All children are fully included and are motivated in their learning. Systems for observing and assessing children are informative and show children's achievements. The childminder supports children in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation to promote their language and communication skills. For example, they discuss the pictures in books when reading stories. Children's physical development is encouraged and full use is made of the indoor and outdoor environment. For example, children learn to move with control and co-ordination when participating in music and movement sessions in the living room. In the garden, children enjoy playing with a varied range of play equipment and

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

particularly enjoy participating in obstacle races. Children are able to express themselves creatively and regularly participate in art and craft activities and use a varied range of mediums such as painting, cutting and sticking and drawing. For example, children enjoy the sensory experience of playdough when rolling and cutting shapes and use their imaginations when making models. The childminder uses daily routines and activities to incorporate children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. For example, play experiences using colour and shape are incorporated into children's play such as when completing jigsaw puzzles. Children's counting skills are encouraged such as when counting the play food when 'shopping'. Children learn about quantity and capacity such as when they are playing with sand and water. The childminder promotes a positive awareness of diversity through encouraging discussion and through providing a

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

range of resources which help children develop a positive attitude to others. Consequently, children are making good progress towards the early learning goals.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the EYFS welfare requirements and highly effective strategies are implemented to promote and safeguard the welfare of children. Children's health is protected as good hygiene practices are in place to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Through discussion, children are beginning to learn the importance of personal care routines to keep themselves healthy and to prevent themselves from becoming unwell. For example, they discuss the importance of handwashing before eating to prevent the spread of germs. Children receive a healthy, balanced diet and are developing an understanding of healthy eating as they are provided with some nutritious food choices. For example, at snack time children have a variety of fruits and vegetables and water to drink is always encouraged. Through discussion, children learn about the benefits of eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Children's safety is fully protected and

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, they discuss road safety when out walking. Clear emergency evacuation procedures are in place which are practised on a monthly basis and these are discussed with the children to ensure they know how to stay safe in an emergency. Children's behaviour is managed well. Positive behaviour is promoted with regular praise and encouragement from the childminder, which develops children's self-esteem and sense of achievement. Children behave well because they are aware of their boundaries through the use of simple house rules This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as sharing and taking turns and, through discussion, children learn to respect and co-operate with others. 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.7

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.7

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.7

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.7

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.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

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.

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 19/06/2009

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 19/06/2009

p.8