The Park First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129873 Inspection date 21/10/2009 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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, adult son and teenage daughter in Bushey, Hertfordshire, close to shops, schools and a park. Childminding takes place in a large playroom, with access to a dining area and kitchen. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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, no more that three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding group and children's centres. She has completed Hertfordshire Quality Standards quality assurance scheme and a Level 3 Childcare qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a child friendly, safe and welcoming home for children. She clearly enjoys her work as a childminder and works extremely hard to ensure her service is of high quality. She has an exemplary knowledge of early years practice and every opportunity is taken to promote children's welfare, learning and development. They receive a wealth of different experiences and activities and are fully respected as individuals. Thorough self-evaluation enables her to evaluate every aspect of her practice and identify areas for development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the culture of reflective practice so that it includes children's views and those of their parents or carers and use this to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children's care and learning is extremely well-promoted because the childminder is highly committed and has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has comprehensive awareness of safeguarding children, she attends regular training and ensures all policies, procedures and related This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 documentation is up-to-date and easily available for parents to view. Positive partnerships with parents and other agencies are positively promoted to safeguard children. Effective steps are also taken to ensure children are helped to adopt safe and responsible practices. The childminder is vigilant about safety issues and carries out detailed risk assessments both indoors and outdoors of the home. Children are shown how to use equipment safely; they are confident and competent in communicating their thoughts to the childminder. High quality adult

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the early years provision

interaction and purposeful routines ensures children gain an exceptionally strong sense of security.

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the early years provision

The childminder is ambitious and constantly strives for improvement. For example, she attends regular training and effectively implements knowledge gained so that children make excellent progress in their learning and development. For example, the childminder is passionate about the EYFS and has embraced this; she takes great pleasure in helping children achieve. She regularly reviews her practice so that plans for the future are well targeted to bring about further improvement to the children's care, learning and development. She is in the process of developing systems so that parents' and children's views are more frequently used. The childminder is extremely well-organised and presents all comprehensive documentation so that all children are fully included and can participate to the best of their ability. Equality and diversity is actively promoted through the involvement of parents and an excellent use of her own and local resources. The environment

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the early years provision

is child friendly and extremely welcoming to children and their families. It is highly conductive to learning as the resources are of high quality and are carefully considered so that children can make independent decisions.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in this stimulating, vibrant, safe and welcoming home. They enjoy their time with the childminder as she spends time positively supporting their care and learning. For example, all discussions and decisions include the children and their opinions are highly valued. Children are confident and extremely comfortable and settled. They are well-behaved and helped to be considerate to others. For example, older children are gently reminded how to play safely alongside babies. Children move freely around all areas of the home identified for their use. Children are independent and especially enjoy selecting the toys and resources they wish to use from the extensive and varied range available, stored in low-level storage units in the extremely well-organised and resourced play room. Children's art work adorns the walls and doors; these include life size body paintings created by the children. Consequently children's mark-making and expressions are effectively

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and outcomes for children

promoted. In addition, growth charts are used to record children's height and posters created by the children to promote an interest in healthy eating are clearly and professionally displayed so that children develop a high level of self-esteem and develop a good awareness of healthy living. A wide range of books supports their literacy skills; this includes laminated books made by the childminder showing individual children's achievements. The children delight in sharing these books and develop an effective understanding that print carries meaning. The high quality and easily available resources such as magnifying glasses and interactive toys This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensure children are highly motivated.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder spends quality time with the children so that they are highly motivated and become engrossed in their surroundings and planned activities. For example, babies delight in exploring a wide range of sensory items set out for them. The childminder sits alongside the children, fully responding to their verbal and visual expressions. Each item is carefully considered by the childminder such as the impact of various textures so that the experience is beneficial to the children. Due to the high quality interaction, children develop an exceptionally strong sense of security.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and therefore children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals.The childminder makes sensitive observations of children as they learn through play. These are used to inform planning and the next steps in their learning are identified. Planning is flexible and regularly reviewed to ensure it is including the children's interests and achievable challenges. The close partnership with parents means that these are accurately shared with parents so that they can be fully involved in their children's learning. The childminder is forward thinking and refers to the EYFS guidance when planning the next steps in the children's learning so that appropriate developmental activities and experiences are offered.

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and outcomes for children

Thorough risk assessments for all areas ensure children are safe at all times. The childminder actively helps children learn about safety in fun, meaningful and purposeful play. For example, children are actively involved in creating a zebra crossing which is used during their play. Older children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own and others' safety. For example, they inform the childminder and younger children when it is safe to cross the road when they are out and about. Children enjoy an excellent range of outings, including visits to local parks including Aldenham Country Park and children centre drop-ins where they are able to socialise with a wider group of people and choose who they wish to play with. They access fresh air and exercise daily through these outings and use of the fully enclosed garden. In addition, children learn about the world around them through visits to a nearby allotment; they celebrate traditions and festivals

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and outcomes for children

and take part in local events so that they learn about other peoples interests and cultures.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has established effective procedures for ensuring the health of children at all times, including sharing completed documentation with parents and the use of kitchen roll to dry hands, therefore minimising the risk of cross infection. Children enjoy a range of healthy, nutritious and snacks and meals. Children are included in the preparation of some meals such as cheese on toast. During this time children learn to use utensils safely such as graters and the occasion is effectively used for children to develop their knowledge and understanding. Meal times are sociable occasions with children and the childminder sitting together to eat and enjoy their food together. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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