Mersery Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129237 Inspection date 08/10/2009 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 in 1993. She lives with her husband and their son aged 17 in Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The whole of the premises is used for childminding purposes with the exception of the second floor bedroom. The garden is not used for childminding and therefore children regularly visit the local parks. The premises are accessible by a step to the front entrance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Years Register and currently three children attend. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register but does not currently provide care for any children within these age ranges. The childminder works in partnership with parents and carers.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

There are breaches of the overarching requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework that have a significant impact on the children. Limited steps are taken by the childminder to evaluate the provision for children's welfare and learning and development. However, the childminder is aware of the weaknesses of the provision and shows a positive attitude to improve although this has not yet been effective in bringing about the necessary improvements. Children are valued as individuals and the childminder has a general knowledge of each child's backgrounds and needs. However, important information about her practice, such as how she promotes diversity and inclusion, is not shared with parents and an equal opportunities policy is not in place.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 attend a local authority approved childcare training course (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 29/01/2010

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further?

 take necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children by ensuring welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are known and met so that children are healthy, safe and secure and have their individual needs met (Safeguarding and 12/11/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promoting children's welfare)  gain knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements so that children are provided with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning (Early Learning Goals) 12/11/2009

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further?

 develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world by planning activities and resources that allow them to use information and communication technology and raise their awareness of wider world cultures and beliefs (Early learning goals) 12/11/2009

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further?

 obtain a first aid qualification that is approved by the local authority (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills), (also applies to both parts of the childcare register) 29/01/2010

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further?

 make sure that there is a balance of adult-led and freely-chosen or child-initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play (Organisation) 12/11/2009

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further?

 undertake sensitive observational assessment in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs (Organisation) 12/11/2009

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further?

 plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 12/11/2009

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment that identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register) 12/11/2009

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further?

 provide the following information for parents. Policies and procedures that include equality of opportunity policy; safeguarding children policy; behaviour management policy: details for contacting Ofsted; and the procedures to be followed in the event of a parent failing to collect a child at the appointed time and in the event of a child going missing (Safeguarding and welfare). 12/11/2009

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 update the child protection policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and procedures to ensure that your policy reflects the most up to date legislation to fully protect children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's progress in their learning and personal development is insufficiently monitored and the arrangements to ensure the welfare of children are not adequately met. Evaluating the provision and the impact on children is weak. The childminder is not securely focused on raising achievements, to bring about improvements in children's learning and development. The views of parents, carers and children, are rarely sought or used in future planning so they are not meaningfully involved in promoting children's welfare. Essential information that includes policies, such as equality of opportunity, safeguarding children and behaviour management are not in place and procedures, such as the uncollected child and the missing child, are not shared with parents to keep them fully informed. Some written requirements are in place, such as children's record forms and parents contact information. The childminder has a positive relationship with

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the early years provision

parents and some information about their child's well-being and development is shared through a regular exchange of verbal information. Arrangements for safeguarding children are not robust. The childminder has failed to implement an effective safeguarding policy and the lapse in the renewal of the childminder's first aid certificate, means that regulations and duties are not met to ensure children are protected. The childminder does not hold an appropriate qualification and therefore this requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework has not been met.

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the early years provision

Daily health and safety checks are carried out by the childminder however, full risk assessments that cover everything a child may come in contact with, both indoors and outdoors, are not in place to ensure hazards are identified and minimised. Resources are good but are not used in a meaningful way to ensure goals in children's learning and development are achieved consistently.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements of the EYFS is inadequate. The specific requirements as set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage are not being met, which has a significant impact on children's progress. Systems are weak and some important policies and procedures are missing. The childminder does not have a clear enough understanding of the children's needs, because observations carried out to monitor children's progress are too brief and are not linked to the EYFS or the early learning goals. Evidence to identify if children are achieving and progressing in their learning and development is weak. Therefore, although some outcomes relating to children's progress such as their understanding of keeping themselves safe and being healthy, in relation to their starting points are satisfactory, their progress towards the early learning goals is inadequate. There is

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and outcomes for children

little or no planning to ensure activities, resources and the environment are used effectively to enhance children's progress through the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are beginning to form positive relationships and show an interest in the activities. For example, children identify colours and shapes as the decorate plastic cups with stickers. They use glue and sticky tape to join paper together and count the stickers as they use them. The childminder supports the children with praise and encouragement as they play and their language development is encouraged as they share books and join in with stories and songs. Children have fresh air and exercise through daily trips to the park and walking in the woods. Regular activities are arranged for children to practise physical skills on a range of equipment. Children are helped to understand the importance of adopting healthy habits and

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and outcomes for children

hygiene practices such as appropriate hand-washing and healthy eating. They join other children at the activity centre and picnics in the park, and their independence is encouraged as they generally access resources freely and make choices. Although children are secure in the setting, display a sense of belonging, are happy and settled and generally display confidence and self-esteem, there is not a clear enough understanding of the children's needs because observations are not frequent enough to monitor children's progress, and to plan appropriate activities. The childminder has some information about different celebrations and festivals around the world, but little evidence to show it has been included in planning for the children, to raise their awareness of the wider world. Children have very few opportunities to find out about and identify the uses of everyday technology, to help provide them with the skills they will need in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children practise road safety on their daily walks and the childminder encourages fire awareness as they take part in regular fire evacuation drills. However, the weaknesses in meeting the welfare requirements impacts on the children's learning about keeping themselves safe. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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Stage

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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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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.

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for, suitability and safety of premises,qualifications and training). 12/11/2009

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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:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for,suitability and safety of premises) 12/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure you have completed a qualification at a minimum level 2 in an area of work relevant to childcare or training in the core skills (Qualifications and training). 29/01/2010

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