The Down Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129785 Inspection date 19/01/2010 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 was registered in June 1995. She lives with her husband and three children who are aged 12 years, 18 years and 20 years. The property is situated in Hunton Bridge, Hertfordshire and is close to local amenities such as shops, parks and schools. The whole of the childminder’s home is registered for childminding purposes and includes an enclosed rear garden which is available for outdoor play. Overnight care is not included in the registration. The family have a dog.

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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. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. The childminder is currently minding four children, three of whom are in the early years age range. Children attend on a part-time and full-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 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. They are provided with a varied range of play and learning experiences which ensure they make good progress in their learning and development. Children are safeguarded and their welfare needs are met through the childminder's sound practice and the implementation of some highly effective policies and procedures. Documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is all in place and well organised. A process, such as self-evaluation, for monitoring the setting to ensure continuous improvement is not yet in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures. The childminder has an informative safeguarding policy in place which is shared with parents. She has also undertaken a safeguarding course and is planning on updating her knowledge through completing further training in the near future. All household members have had relevant background checks completed. The environment in which children are cared for is safe and children's safety is paramount. The childminder has been proactive in ensuring appropriate measures are in place to maintain children's safety. For example, she closely

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the early years provision

supervises children and a written risk assessment details how potential hazards are minimised to keep children safe. Ongoing visual assessments throughout the day 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

Documentation is well organised, and 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 many years experience caring for children and has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the EYFS framework. She understands the importance of continuous professional development and updates her knowledge through attending appropriate short courses and workshops. For example, the childminder has most recently attended an observation, assessment and planning course and a workshop on preparing for Ofsted. She 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

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the early years provision

are in place to monitor the effectiveness of her practice. For example, she seeks feedback from parents through the completion of parent questionnaires and she reviews and updates children's records, contracts and 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 effectively organises her time and resources to ensure children's individual needs are met. Resources are accessible and developmentally appropriate with the daily routine planned to ensure all children are fully included. The childminder values and appreciates the children and their families in her care and welcomes them into her home. Parents are provided with good quality information. For example, a portfolio is available to parents which includes the setting's policies and procedures. Effective settling-in procedures designed to meet the needs of individual children and their families ensure children settle well and quickly feel at home in the childminding environment. Parents are kept fully informed of their children's care, progress and achievements as information is verbally exchanged on a daily basis. Also, daily diaries are used to effectively share information between the childminder and parents of younger children. The

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the early years provision

childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness of liaising with other early years settings delivering the EYFS to ensure continuity in children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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 effective 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 interests and their individual developmental needs. The childminder understands that every child is unique and works closely with parents to find out about and to meet children's individual needs. She uses the EYFS framework to ensure children experience a varied range of play experiences which effectively cover the six areas of learning. They participate in a mixture of adult-led and child- initiated play with the indoor and outdoor environments used to fully promote

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and outcomes for children

Children's personal, social and emotional development is promoted. For example, regular visits to toddler groups enhances children's 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 at child height and 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 whilst looking at books together and reading stories. Singing and dancing are favourites and children have opportunities to use their imaginations. The childminder uses the daily routine to incorporate children's problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. For example, when cooking

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and outcomes for children

children count how many cakes they have made. They also enjoy singing songs and rhymes that incorporate the use of numbers, such as 'five little monkeys'. Children are able to express themselves creatively and regularly participate in art and craft activities and use a varied range of mediums, such as painting, play dough and cutting and sticking. For example, they enjoy painting and making hand print patterns. Some of the children's artwork is displayed which develops their sense of belonging. 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 children learn about other countries, cultures and religions. Also, resources help children develop positive attitudes to others. Children learn about the local community, such as when they visit the local shops or through visits to the library. They learn about the

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and outcomes for children

environment, such as when they discuss the weather and changes to the seasons, when out walking, and learn about the importance of recycling.

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and outcomes for children

Effective strategies are implemented by the childminder to promote children's health with good hygiene policies and procedures in place. For example, she has a clear sickness policy she follows if children are unwell and nappy changing procedures ensure the risk of cross-infection is minimised. Children learn how to stay healthy and about personal care routines to keep themselves healthy. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, they discuss the importance of hand washing before eating and after visiting the toilet to prevent the spread of germs. Also, a poster displayed in the bathroom is used as a visual reminder to children to wash their hands. Children develop a positive attitude towards being active and learn that exercise can be fun. For example, they regularly participate in a variety of activities both within the home and outside, such as regular walks, visits to the park, music and movement

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and outcomes for children

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 nutritious, balanced diet with healthy eating promoted. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are catered for. Children are developing a good understanding of healthy eating and through discussion and some activities they learn the benefits of eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Children's behaviour is managed well with clear and consistent boundaries set by the childminder. Positive behaviour is promoted with regular praise and encouragement from the childminder which develops their self- esteem and sense of achievement. The childminder is a positive role model and secure relationships between her and the children in her care enables children to feel safe and valued in the childminding environment. Children's safety is protected

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and outcomes for children

and they are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, children are fully aware of the safety procedures to follow when getting in and out of the childminder's car. When out walking they discuss road safety and children know to hold the childminder's hand and wait for the green man before safely crossing the road. The childminder has an emergency fire plan in place which is regularly practised with the children and therefore they 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: 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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