Kingfisher 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 130368 Inspection date 16/04/2009 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 was registered 1984. She works with another registered childminder, her husband. Care takes place in their home in West Watford, in Hertfordshire; also in the home is their adult child. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the childminder's home is via a single, small 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 can provide three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) when working alone or when working with a co- childminder. There is currently one child attending who is within this age group and who attends another setting in the area.

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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 compulsory and voluntary Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There are currently five children on roll in this age range. The children live locally or travel in from the surrounding areas. The childminder holds a relevant child care qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The environment is generally safe, secure and play materials are organised so children are able to self-select and organise their own play and learning. Good knowledge of each child's individual needs ensures that the childminder promotes most aspects of their learning with measured success. Informal methods of working with parents and carers, together with other settings providing for children, contribute to ensuring children’s needs are generally met. Some effective procedures for evaluating their practice are in place and means that the childminder has a picture of her strengths and weaknesses which enables her to make changes that lead to improvements for the children attending.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise an assessment system which is detailed enough to ascertain all children’s achievements and gain an overview of their learning  develop further links with all other settings providing for children in the EYFS  ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum; this refers to the accessibility of the kettle, garden debris and hazardous item in low cupboards in the bathroom and kitchen.

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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  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken, which includes an assessment of required adult: child ratios, reviewing it before embarking on each outing. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 01/05/2009

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provision

Records and procedures are organised by the childminder and her co-worker and used generally effectively to promote the welfare of children and these are routinely discussed and shared with parents at placement time. The childminder obtains information from parents during the settling-in period such as their likes, dislikes, colours they can recognise and these are used as a base for developing the planning of the children's activities in the early stages. The childminder takes overall responsibility for maintaining the contractual agreements, planning of activities, although, both childminders hold equal responsibility for the care and work in partnership with all parents. The childminder has sound relationships with all parents where daily feedback is offered and parents are informed of their child’s progress. Links with other settings are being developed but this is not always clearly organised which could lead to missed opportunities to develop consistency

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provision

The childminder's home and resources are organised to enable all children to self- select their play materials and thus organise their own learning. Daily, flexible and informal planning is used to meet each child’s individual needs and both childminders follow the children's play, having other focus activities in readiness to promote their next area of learning. For example, craft activities are used to develop colour recognition and games encourage letter and shape names. The childminder assesses the children through observing their play, but does not have a clear assessment system in place to gain an overview of their learning. The childminder has generally effective procedures for evaluating her practice and reviewing her daily work to identify areas for improvement. She has detailed risk assessments of the premises but a written risk assessment of outings is not carried out . The childminder has improved her practice by completing the

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provision

recommendations made at the previous inspections and she has a good commitment to improving her practice through ongoing training such as use of the computer and safeguarding children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a learning environment where activities are plentiful and of good quality. These includes various play materials like building bricks, puzzles, books, games, cars, as well as homely activities such as sweeping the floor, dusting or taking snack plates to the kitchen which is encouraging their independence skills. The childminder uses spontaneous situations to develop children's learning and understanding such as, discussing items collected in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 park to make pictures with, smelling the newly mown grass, discussing how a microwave works, or observing the squirrels running across the path. Children make effective progress in their learning and development as the childminder has a good understanding of child development and offers the children appropriate activities such as encouraging their knowledge of volume and capacity when they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

make sandwiches or bake using measuring scales and counting in the ingredients.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The informal and flexible planning ensures that children are offered a range of activities indoors and outside and they are encouraged to explore their environment. They enjoy number and letter games or turn taking when collecting foods whilst they follow the shopping list. The children develop their physical abilities when climbing on park apparatus, kicking footballs or using the garden equipment such as bean bags, hoops and ride on toys. Children enjoy reading and stories, learning new words such as capsize, life jacket or rescued when discussing with the childminder and her co-worker what was happening on the river. During the holiday period they have opportunities for visits to develop their knowledge of the world around them such as outings to the cinema, model village or park to feed and see the baby ducks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a secure and generally safe environment. They take part in routines that promote their understanding of safety, such as emergency fire drills, practising road safety on their walks and discussing stranger danger. However, children's safety could be affected as the daily risk assessment does not always include all hazards such as items in low cupboards, debris in the garden and the accessibility of the kettle. Children bring their own lunches and the childminder supplements this with a fruit bowl which is always available and discusses with the children the importance of eating healthily. Children's health is fostered as they wash their hands at relevant times such as before and after meals and they independently use tissues disposing of them appropriately. The childminder regularly gives good explanations as to the importance of a healthy lifestyle and develop this through games to categorize foods which are good or not

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

so good for them. She has an effective understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has a procedure in place which includes relevant contact details should she have a concern. 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? 3 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? 3

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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? 3 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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