Oaklands Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 123967 Inspection date 30/10/2009 Inspector Ann Marie Cozzi

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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 to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in the early years age group. She also at times works with an assistant and together they may care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom five may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two grown up children in a residential area in Hertford, Hertfordshire. Access to the setting is via a small step and there is a downstairs toilet. The rest of the property is used for childminding. The fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has a Hertfordshire quality standards award.

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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

Each child’s individual needs are known and respected by the childminder who has a secure understanding of their backgrounds. This successfully promotes their care and learning. Systems in place to secure children’s safety and well being are effective. Relationships with parents and carers are good helping to promote continuity of care and support children’s learning and development. Good self- evaluation results in the childminder consistently reflecting on her practice in order to identify strengths and areas for future development which promote improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for observation and assessment to ensure that they consistently link to all areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)  promote further a two-way flow of information between parents, in particular regard to children's next steps in learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children and knows what procedures to follow should she suspect that a child in her care may be at risk. She places high importance on the safety of children. She has a current This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 paediatric first aid certificate which enables her to administer emergency care for children. The childminder has developed a clear system of written risk assessments these are regularly reviewed and identify how she protects the safety and well- being of children by minimising risks inside, outside and whilst on outings. All required documentation is in place and well maintained. Children’s good health is promoted and protected through the daily routine, for example, they are able to help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty and are supported by gentle guidance to ensure that they clean their hands thoroughly at appropriate times.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to seek the views of both parents and children. This assists her in reflecting on her practice, evaluating the service she provides and identifying areas for future improvement. For example, since her last inspection she has undertaken a range of training which improves outcomes for children such as the first module of ‘Inclusion Development Program’ and food hygiene.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She plans and organises a broad range of stimulating activities and play opportunities across all six areas of learning. As a result, children are able to independently access resources and initiate their own play and learning. The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents although there is a minor weakness in regard to the exchange of information about children’s learning. Parents express a high level of satisfaction with the service provided.

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and outcomes for children

The areas used by children are thoughtfully organised to ensure that they feel safe, secure and are effectively supported. This is demonstrated as they explore their environment with confidence and ease. They are aware of boundaries within the home and those of acceptable behaviour, for example, as they help to tidy away resources before getting out more. Children are showing an awareness and understanding of safety issues as they respond positively to the childminders instructions and explanations, such as moving the step nearer to the sink to avoid slipping off and hurting themselves. Children demonstrate self-confidence as they seek out the childminder for support and without hesitation try out new things. This shows they are beginning to develop a positive attitude to learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals as they have many opportunities to take part in a wide range of meaningful activities across all areas of learning. Children’s participation is promoted because the childminder ensures that when planning individual needs and interests are taken into account. Children happily self-select from a wide range of good quality toys which provide appropriate challenge. They enjoy learning new skills with some support from the childminder as they play with large construction materials. They have fun learning about numbers as they look at books with the childminder or count how many clouds there are on their picture. They explore comparisons as they notice that a piece of the train track is curved and find another one to match it. Children learn about sounds and letters through play, for example, they recognise that a word in a book they are sharing with the childminder starts with T for Thomas.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder regularly undertakes observations of children at play although there is a minor weakness in ensuring that links are consistently made between observations, children’s next steps in learning and planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have plenty of opportunity to experience the local community, for example, as they regularly visit local parks, shops and toddler groups. This promotes their understanding of the diverse society they live in and an understanding that people are different from each other but equally similar in lots of ways.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing their understanding about the importance of personal hygiene. This is achieved through the established daily routine, for example, they know that before meals they must wash their hands which they do with some support. The childminder promotes healthy eating by providing a range of healthy and nutritious snacks for children. Children enjoy being active and have plenty of chances to expend their energy safely in the fresh air, for example, when playing in the garden, visiting local parks or at another childminders allotment. As a result, children are making good progress towards adopting healthy lifestyles. 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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