Kinlet CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 123480 Inspection date 09/12/2009 Inspector Cordalee Harrison

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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 1992. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their three adult children. They live in Marshalswick area of St Albans, Hertfordshire. Childminding activities are contained to the ground floor of the childminder's home, where children have access to the living room and kitchen diner. Washing and toilet facilities are also located at this level and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are located very close to local amenities, which include shops, schools, parks and a library.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. Currently, there are five children on roll, of these, three are in the early years age group, one is in the age range of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the other is in the later years age group.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder plans and prepares well for children's welfare learning and development; they are happy and settled in her care. Children experience activities that are in consideration to their choice, their interests and individual stage of development. The warm welcome that the childminder provides for children and their parents fosters open communication. This paves the way for both parties to work together to meet children's changing needs. The childminder shares children's observation records with parents. The childminder builds and maintains trusting relationships with children and their parents. To gain improvements in her provision the childminder has addressed recommendations made at the previous inspection. Additionally, she has attended Early Years Foundation Stage training. She makes effective use of information issued by the local and registering authorities as well as other childcare organisations to increase her knowledge and

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

keep up to date with current childcare practices for the benefit of all the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the strategies for partnership working with other practitioners and make sure that they are effective  make sure that the procedure for children to wash and dry their hands is appropriate to minimise the risks of cross infection between individuals This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder safeguards children and promotes their learning and development to a high standard. Through her practice and provision, she demonstrates secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and guidance. The childminder applies the principles of safeguarding to all aspects of her childminding activities. This enables her to achieve good outcomes across all areas. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, including the types of abuse and signs and symptoms that indicate that children are at risk of abuse and neglect. She is clear about lines of communication to deal with matters of concerns about children's welfare and well-being; she takes account of parents and the local and registering authorities. She is familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidance, which includes relevant contact numbers. All documentation required to safeguard children's welfare is in place, they are accurate and up to date.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes effective safety precautions in the home and uses risk assessments and daily checks to assess and minimise risks for children at home and on outings. For example, the home is secure and children are not able to leave the premises unattended, hazardous substances are not accessible to children, fire fighting equipment is in working order and the premises is free of slipping and tripping hazards. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's care, they increase their independence and mobility as they move freely between areas to access their toys and resources. The childminder ensures that she can see or hear children at all times. The childminder maintains the physical environment and children's resources to a very high standard of hygiene and cleanliness. This good practice in regards to hygiene and safety helps children to recognise the features of clean and safe environments. However, the use of a single hand towels for

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the early years provision

children to dry their hands is not sufficient to minimises the risks of cross infection between individuals.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and this ensures that she is fully aware of children's health conditions and their dietary needs. Children eat nutritious meals and snacks, fresh fruit and vegetables are a core part of their daily diet. Fresh drinking water is readily accessible to the children throughout the day and the childminder offers regular drinks to children who are not able to ask. The childminder is enthusiastic to gain and maintain improvements. In addition, to developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, she has attended training such as food and hygiene and is registered with the local authority's food standard agency. The childminder shares good quality information with parents, both written and verbal, which enables her to act immediately to address any issues of concern that arise. Toys and resources that are of good quality, age and stage appropriate enable all children to make purposeful choices about play. The

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the early years provision

childminder uses the process of self-evaluation to review her practice. She identifies some strengths and weaknesses; however, the process is not comprehensive. She has not identified that, currently her communication with other practitioners is not sufficiently developed to fully promote partnership working and gain continuity for children in regards to the learning and development aspect of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children experience many good quality activities, which promotes their learning across the curriculum. The childminder consistently plans for the next step in their learning and development; this ensures that their progress is individual to them. The childminder provides a wide range of planned activities and resources for children to use. This ensures that children are continually busy; they move between activities and make purposeful choices about their play. The childminder encourages the development of children’s language skills, with stories, rhymes and by talking, listening and introducing new words to their vocabulary. Children develop their creativity as they experience a range of activities, they particularly enjoy activities where they make and listen to music, dress-up and role-play. Children’s resources reflect letters and numerals, they count and use problem- solving language such as more or less to explain and describe what is happening.

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and outcomes for children

They begin to use numbers in context and to help them to make decisions, such as, which window to open in line with the sequence. They use a variety of mark making implements and begin to write for different purposes, including labelling their artwork. Children use resources, which raise their awareness of equality, and diversity, such as play figures and books. Additionally, visits to places of interest such as the library provides them with opportunities to interact with people in the wider community.

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and outcomes for children

Ready access to good quality modern resources and play materials encourage all children to become independent learners. For example, items placed purposefully around the play area encourages the youngest children to increase their mobility, they crawl and explore their senses, as they use their sight, hearing, and touch. They push, pull and press to make the play centres work and laugh with glee, to show their enjoyment of the activities. Older children dress-up and invite others to play. They demonstrate skills for the future, they share and take turns as they play the lunch box game. They further demonstrate their understanding of healthy eating as they select nutritious foods to fill the box. Through regular routines, children are developing good hygiene habits. Older children use the toilet independently and remember to wash and dry their hands. The childminder attends to the younger children’s personal care needs promptly; this ensures that

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and outcomes for children

Children experience many regular outdoor activities, including visits to the park where they socialise with their peers and use large equipment, such as swings and slides. They show confidence in their physical abilities as they balance beanbags on their heads and move around whilst balancing the egg on the spoon in their game. Children are proud of their achievements and they are eager to show what they can do. The childminder praises them, this encourages them. They are beginning recognise when they have done well. They are learning to help and appreciate the achievements of others. The relaxed manner and easy communication between the childminder, children and their peers are good indicators that children feel safe and know that they belong. Regular activities outdoors, help children to experience This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 different aspects of the areas of learning in fun and interesting ways. For example,

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and outcomes for children

in addition to physical exercise, they explore the natural world as they follow local nature trails, identify local birds and collect leaves for their artwork. They increase their understanding of safety, as they practise evacuation of the premises and develop awareness of roads, and other dangers in the environment, and begin to understand why it is important to follow childminder’s guidance. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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: 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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