Beckett School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129779 Inspection date 25/01/2010 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 has been registered since December 1998. She lives with her husband and two children who are nine years of age and seven years of age. The property is situated in Bedmond, near Kings Langley, Hertfordshire and is within easy walking distance of shops, a park and a school. All areas of the property are included in the registration although the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are situated on the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. Overnight care is not included in the registration. The family have three cats and a tank of fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. Overnight care is not provided. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for two children, both of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered to care for children at another premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of a childminding 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 provides very effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). An inclusive environment is provided as she works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are fully met. Children are provided with a varied range of play and learning experiences to ensure they make good progress in their learning and development. Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place and children are safeguarded and their health and welfare needs are met. However, the childminder has to update her first aid training to ensure she has a current certificate. A process, such as self-evaluation, for closely monitoring the setting to ensure continuous improvement is not yet in place.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 update first aid knowledge through completing an appropriate paediatric first aid course (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare, also applies to both parts of Childcare Register). 15/02/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  implement a system, such as, self-evaluation, to more effectively monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are robust and children's welfare is fully protected. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children. For example, she is familiar with the child protection procedures to follow should she have a concern including the correct recording and reporting procedures. The childminder has an informative safeguarding policy in place which is shared with parents. She has also recently updated her child protection knowledge through completing a safeguarding course. Household members have had relevant background checks completed. The environment in which children are cared for is safe and the childminder ensures appropriate measures are taken to maintain children's safety. For example, she closely supervises children at all times and a written risk assessment identifies potential hazards and how they are minimised to keep children safe. On-going visual assessments throughout the day

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the early years provision

are then used to maintain a safe environment. Consequently, children remain safe and are fully protected at all times.

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the early years provision

Informative policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of children. Children's care, learning and welfare are promoted because the childminder puts the individual needs of each of the children in her care first. She has high regard for children's well-being and understands the importance of continuous professional development to increase her knowledge and develop her childcare practice. For example, she is currently undertaking a Diploma in Homebased Childcare (DHC) and also regularly attends appropriate short courses and workshops. Unfortunately, due to exceptional family circumstances beyond the childminders control, she was unable to complete a first aid course and consequently her first aid certificate has very recently expired. However, children's health is not at risk as the childminder has previously undertaken first aid training on several occasions

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the early years provision

and therefore her knowledge of what to do if a child had an accident is secure. She has also successfully managed to book onto an appropriate course for the very near future. The childminder has a clear vision for her setting and works hard to provide a quality service to parents and children. She is aware of her key strengths and areas for further development and some processes are in place to monitor the effectiveness of her practice. For example, she seeks verbal feedback from parents and she reviews and updates children's records, contracts, policies and procedures on a regular basis. A system of self-evaluation to more closely monitor the childminder's practice is not yet in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder plans her daily routine to ensure children's individual needs are met with resources accessible and developmentally appropriate. The childminder welcomes the children in her care and their families into her home and works hard to provide an inclusive environment. Parents are kept well informed. For example, a portfolio is available and parents are aware of the settings policies and procedures. Effective settling-in procedures designed to meet the needs of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual children and their families ensure children settle well and quickly feel at home in the childminding environment. Information is verbally shared with parents regarding their children's care, progress and achievements as information is shared on a regular basis. Also, daily diaries are used to effectively share information between the childminder and parents of younger children. The childminder

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the early years provision

demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness to liaising with other early years settings delivering the EYFS to ensure continuity in children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder knows the children in her care well and she uses this information to effectively support their learning. For example, she has implemented simple observation and assessment systems which show children's achievements and how they are progressing over time. This information is then used by the childminder to plan the next steps in children's learning. Planning is informal and flexible and led by children's individual developmental needs. The childminder understands that every child is unique and works with parents to find out about and to meet children's specific needs. She uses the EYFS framework to ensure children experience a varied range of play experiences which effectively cover the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to encourage and develop children's play and learning. Regular visits to toddlers groups further promotes children's learning experiences as it enhances their opportunities to develop social skills and to become more creative and independent thinkers. Children's independence is encouraged with the home environment organised with most resources easily accessible. Children develop secure attachments and share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and consequently, are happy and secure in her care. Children's language and communication skills are promoted, such as, when the childminder engages children in conversation while looking at books together and reading stories. The childminder uses the daily routine to incorporate children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. For example, children

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and outcomes for children

enjoy counting the steps when going up and down the stairs. The childminder promotes a positive awareness of diversity and children are beginning to gain some understanding about the wider world. For example, through discussion and some activities, such as, looking through holiday brochures, children learn about other countries. Also, some resources help children develop positive attitudes to others and to learn about other cultures and religions. Children learn about the local community through regular outings, such as, visits to the shops. They have some opportunities to learn about the environment, such as, when they discuss the weather and changes to the seasons, when out walking. Children regularly participate in art and craft activities and use a range of mediums such as painting, play dough and cutting and sticking. For example, they recently enjoyed making texture pictures using a variety of different and unusual materials.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health with good hygiene policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures in place. For example, she has a clear sickness policy she follows if children are unwell to ensure the risk of cross-infection is minimised. Children learn how to stay healthy and about personal care routines to keep themselves healthy. For example, they discuss the importance of hand washing before eating and after visiting the toilet to prevent the spread of germs. Children develop a positive attitude towards being active and learn that exercise can be fun. For example, they participate in a variety of activities both within the home and outside, such as, visits to the park, music and movement sessions with action songs and the use of a variety of resources in the garden to help encourage and promote children's physical health and development. Children receive a balanced diet with healthy

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and outcomes for children

eating promoted. The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are catered for. For example, she is fully aware of the needs of a child in her care with a severe food allergy and has highly effective strategies in place to safeguard them and keep them healthy. Children are developing a good understanding of healthy eating and through discussion they learn the benefits of eating a variety of healthy foods. Children's behaviour is managed well with consistent boundaries set by the childminder. Positive behaviour is promoted with regular praise and encouragement which develops their self-esteem and sense of achievement. For example, children are praised if they help to tidy away resources. Children are aware of their boundaries through the use of simple house rules such as sharing, taking turns and being kind to others. Children feel safe and valued in the childminding environment and are

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and outcomes for children

developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, when travelling in the car children are fully aware of the need to sit in the correct car seats and to wear seat belts. When out walking they discuss road safety and children know to hold the childminder's hand. The childminder has an emergency fire plan in place which is regularly practised with the children and therefore children learn how to stay safe in an emergency. 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: 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). 15/02/2010

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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). 15/02/2010

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