Chilton Priory 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

p.1

Unique reference number 130002 Inspection date 29/04/2009 Inspector Susan Ennis

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 1994. She lives with her husband and three grown- up children in Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, apart from the conservatory, of childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is via three steps. The family has no pets.

p.3

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 and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

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

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a mostly safe and enjoyable environment whilst supporting children effectively in their play and development. She offers continuity of care often caring for children from when they were young babies. Children of all ages are able to participate because the childminder provides a stimulating and interesting range of activities, which are enjoyable and fun. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder's flexible approach to planning meets their individual needs. The childminder has started to takes steps to evaluate her practice and is beginning to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. Consequently, she is able to make changes to improve the daily care and experiences she offers the children, parents and carers.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 further demonstrate the areas of learning covered by the activities provided and the planning for children's next steps  ensure that the contact numbers for safeguarding concerns are in place and that the child protection policy is written in line with it. Also that the complaints procedure contains the current contact details of the regulator.  increase children's understanding of diversity by increasing the range of resources to reflect the wider world they live in  ensure that hazards to children are made inaccessible to children. This refers to cleaning products in the toilet.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure that parents are informed of any accidents or injuries sustained by their child whilst in your care 13/05/2009  ensure that a full risk assessment is carried out for each type of outing. 13/05/2009

p.3

provision

The childminder has mostly appropriate procedures in place to ensure that all children are soundly protected. For example, she has increased her knowledge of the protection of children by completing safeguarding training and children are only released into the care of known adults. However, as the latest contact numbers for concerns are not in place children's welfare is potentially affected should incidents occur. Children move around the premises easily and freely because the childminder takes steps to minimise the hazards and supervises them at all times. However, as toilet cleaning fluids are accessible to the children their safety is affected. The childminder completes a regular risk assessment of the home as well as daily safety checks before the children arrive. However, written risk assessments for the outings are not currently in place potentially compromising children's safety when out and about.

p.4

provision

The childminder has implemented some systems to evaluate her practice as she has read the self evaluation form and often discusses her practice with the parents to seek their views. She demonstrates an awareness of her strengths and areas for improvement and has the capacity to improve. This is however an area for further development as is checking that previous recommendations have been satisfactorily completed. The children's individual development is very well promoted because the childminder has practical procedures in place to monitor and evaluate their learning and progress. A professional and trusting relationship with parents and carers ensures that all relevant information is shared involving the parents in their child's learning. A mostly sound set of policies ensures that parents are informed about the childminder's procedures. However, as the complaints procedure does not contain the full contact details of the regulator

p.4

provision

parents are potentially delayed in reporting any written concerns. Also they are not consistently informed about any accidents that their child has at the childminder's house potentially affecting their working relationship with the childminder.

p.4

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 in all areas of learning and development, although this is not currently clear to see on the written documentation in place. The planning of activities is very flexible ensuring that the children's ideas and interests are followed and that their individual needs are met. For example, when children talk about spiders the childminder plans a craft activity around 'incy wincy spider' where they make a picture of the spider climbing up the drain pipe. Children interact confidently with the childminder who makes the most of conversations and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 comments to extend their learning. For example, when the childminder asks children to duck out of the way of a cupboard they confidently answer 'I'm not a duck because I don't quack.' The childminder then develops the conversation and

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

the children's thought processes by asking 'Can you be an elephant?' to which they reply 'No I haven't got a truck'. They then discuss if they can be other animals and whether they are boys or girls teaching them about their own identity.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that there is a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities. These are also flexible enabling the children to freely choose what they would like to do. For example, when the childminder suggests doing some play dough the children enthusiastically join in choosing which colour dough they would like. The childminder supports their play by encouraging them to roll out their own dough and then helping them when they struggle a little. They develop their physical skills are they manipulate the dough into different shapes and use the cutters to make creatures such as bats. Once finished with this activity they decide they would like some music on and tell the childminder that they would like the animal music rather than the nursery rhymes. They then move around the room pretending to be animals as they sing 'we're all going to the Zoo.' The childminder knows the children very well and uses this knowledge as well as

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

her visual and written observations to plan their further progression towards the early learning goals. However, this is not clearly evident in the documentation currently provided.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are treated equally and respected individually. Their understanding of the wider world is encouraged because their cultural awareness is promoted. For example, they celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali; however, the range of play equipment reflecting the diverse world the children live in is limited. The childminder is able to provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and promotes an inclusive environment. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and have forged good friendships with her and each other. They are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour, for example, sharing toys with other and being kind. Children are clearly praised and encouraged by the childminder who, as a positive role model encourages them to make the right choices. Children's health and welfare are positively promoted as the childminder takes steps to minimise the spread of infection. They are

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

encouraged to wash their hands regularly and know to use their own individual towels and flannels. They learn about their own safety and that of others as they learn road safety and how to cross the road only moving when the childminder says 'one, two, three, go'. 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.6

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.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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? 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.6

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.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7