Wymondham College Prep 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 147857 Inspection date 11/05/2009 Inspector Jennifer Devine

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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 registered in 1984 and lives with her husband and three adult children in Harrow, in the London borough of Harrow. The childminder uses mainly the conservatory on the ground floor of her home for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age range and one child in the later years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of Harrow's childminding quality assurance network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children benefit from the warm and loving relationship they have with the childminder and this enables them to feel secure to explore their learning environment. The childminder works in close partnership with parents to ensure their child's individual needs are met. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and recognises areas for development to enhance the good practices already in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop knowledge of how to extend children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills to help them discover and understand new words, concepts and mathematical language as they grow and develop  continue to enhance the opportunities which encourage children to share and enjoy a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, rhymes, music and stories, which promotes their effective development in communication and language as they grow and develop.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS and uses her knowledge well to plan and provide a stimulating learning environment. Consequently, children are making good progress in their early development.

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provision

The childminder is extremely attentive to ensuring children's safety is paramount when in the home and when outdoors. She regularly conducts and records risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments to identify and eliminate any potential hazards. The childminder has a clear understanding of her safeguarding policy and knows the procedures to follow if she was concerned about child abuse.

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provision

The childminder's record keeping is exemplary, all required documentation is clear and efficiently arranged and ensures children's welfare at all times.

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provision

The childminder has well established partnerships with parents. Good daily communications keep parents well informed about their child's day. The childminder publishes a regular newsletter which provides parents with information about forthcoming activities and enables them to take part and make suggestions in the planning process. The children's developmental portfolios are also available for parents to share at any time.

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provision

The childminder understands the importance of self-evaluating her practice and she is able to identify her strengths and the areas she would like to develop. The childminder holds nationally recognised qualifications and she regularly attends further training courses to continually develop her knowledge and skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder uses mainly the conservatory of her home for childminding and the space is well organised to allow children to make choices from the resources which are stored within their reach. Children also have free access to the garden and are able move safely from being indoors to playing outside.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed effective methods of observing and assessing children's development which enables her to plan for the next stage of learning. The childminder works closely with a group of local childminders who meet each week and plan activities and experiences based around a topic to encourage children's progress and learning. Children experience plenty of outdoor activities visiting different parks, toddler groups, farms and take part in organised events such as the sponsored Big Toddle at Bushey park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy playing with a variety of toys in the home and garden. They enjoy painting at the easel and use their imagination to create pictures. The toddlers particularly enjoy spending time at the water tray where they splash about and learn to fill the containers, watching the water pour out. Children enjoy looking after their sunflowers and tomato plants which they recently planted and take pride in them, asking the childminder if they could water them. The childminder teaches them about the importance of watering the plants but reminds them about why they must not give them too much water each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans activities which targets children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, and they have opportunities to count and talk about numbers during their play, which is appropriate for their stage of development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Toddlers enjoy moving around from different activities and as their concentration This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 span is short the childminder introduces new activities to keep them interested and continually develop new skills. The childminder constantly talks with children to provide a good role model to encourage their emerging language development. Children enjoy listening to nursery rhymes whilst in the car and have opportunities within the home to select activities that engage all the senses such as listening to music and songs, and enjoy sharing a range of books.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides all foods for the children and offers meals which children enjoy, such as chicken nuggets, smiley faces and vegetables. She encourages them to try different foods and has developed a reward certificate when they try something new. Snacks of fruit and drinks are readily available as children request them. Good hygiene is promoted and children know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder teaches children about safety all the time. She provides road safety activities from the traffic club to develop children's awareness when outdoors. They take part in regular fire drills which helps them develop an understanding of evacuating the home safely. The childminder also provides children with red tee shirts to wear when out on outings so that it makes the children visible when in a large group. 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: 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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