Woking College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130105 Inspection date 21/10/2009 Inspector Julie Whitelaw

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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 has been registered for 22 years. She lives with her husband in Watford, Hertfordshire. The house is situated in a quiet road close to local shops, schools and the park. The childminder mainly uses the lounge, hall and kitchen to care for children. Young children can sleep in a travel cot in the main bedroom. There is access to a safe and secure garden for outdoor play.

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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 at any one time, three may be in the early years age range and two may be under one year. She and is currently caring for three children in the early years age group, all who attend on a part time basis. Overnight care is not included in the registration.

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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 has an exemplary knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). As a result children are kept safe and engage in a wide range of high quality play experiences that promotes their welfare, learning and development. The childminder knows the children extremely well, they are fully included and their individuality is recognised. The highly effective partnership with parents and other agencies ensures that the needs of all children are consistently met. The childminder is dedicated and committed to developing her practice to improve the outcomes for children. Meticulous, on going, self- evaluation scrutinises every aspect of the service she provides and prioritises 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?

 further develop the partnership with parents and carers by increasing the amount of information obtained from them regarding children's starting points.

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the early years provision

The dedication and professionalism of the childminder ensures that children receive the highest standards of practice. She provides a well maintained homely environment and is committed to promoting children's care and learning. The childminder forms strong bonds with the children and as a result, they feel totally secure in her care. Highly effective systems are in place to track children's progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and plan for future learning. This ensures that they make rapid progress in all areas. The childminder uses the space and resources extremely well to ensure that all children feel fully included and that their needs are met. The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She gains detailed information about each child. This ensure that she knows them well and enables her to meet their differing needs. The childminder effectively helps children to learn about and understand

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the early years provision

the society in which they live. For example, children have first hand experiences of many cultures and religions as they visit different places of worship or taste food from around the world.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through robust policies and procedures that are consistently implemented. Documentation is extremely well organised and maintained to a high standard. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection matters. This protects the children in her care. Extensive risk assessments for her home and outings ensure all necessary precautions are taken to keep children safe. The childminder's clear understanding of the importance of close supervision ensures that children stay safe at all times. High visibility jackets and wrist bands that detail the childminder's mobile phone number further promote children's safety on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder works hard to develop and maintain the strong partnership with parents and carers. They receive regular newsletters about the setting. Comprehensive written information and large photographic displays in the kitchen inform the parents of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Parents frequently view children's observations and assessments and are fully informed of what stage they are at and involved in their learning. Detailed information is obtained from parents to enable the childminder to effectively meet children needs. Less information is obtained about children's starting points. The childminder liaises with staff at other settings that children attend and is fully informed of the curriculum they follow. She uses reports from other settings to inform her planning. This ensures children make rapid progress in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder continually reviews her practice and seeks the views of parents/carers and children, both verbally and through questionnaires to identify how she can make improvements. She promptly acts on any recommendations they make. Parents feedback is consistently positive and they praise the high quality of the provision. The childminder regularly attends training to update her knowledge and develop her practice. She liaises with other childcare practitioners and reads childcare publications to obtain new ideas. She continually strives to improve the service she provides for the benefit of the children she cares for.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's home and are made to feel part of her family. They benefit from an extensive range of fun, practical learning opportunities and experiences. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and plans activities and the daily routine to meet their differing needs and interests. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Young babies confidently explore their environment. They are inquisitive and confidently crawl around the ball pool and play tent showing delight as they do so. Their senses develop as they feel dried Autumn leaves brought in from the garden. Children's attention is held and their coordination develops as the childminder blow bubbles and they reach out to touch them. Children enjoy and benefit from a wide range of outings that provide first hand experiences that enrich their lives. As the

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and outcomes for children

walk along the canal they see boats and learn that these can be a different type of home. Trips to The Royal Air Force Museum enable children to learn about transport and see planes from the past. Practical experiences, such as when children dress up in clothes and dance to music from different cultures, enhance their learning. Children learn about the wider world as they track on a map, the route the childminder's son takes as he travels the world. As they look at a scrap book containing photos of his trip and the childminder reads e-mails he sends, describing the places he visits, their learning is further extended.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives high priority to teaching children how to stay safe. Children are involved in deciding the house rules and understand why they are in place. Through discussion and visual aids children learn about the dangers in the kitchen, such as the cooker, knives and medication. Children's understanding of how to stay safe is further enhanced through practical experiences as they visit the local fire station and when they listen to talks from the community police officer about stranger danger. The fire drill is regularly practised, this ensures that children are aware of how to evacuate the house in an emergency. Children develop an understanding of how to stay safe as they are encouraged to assess risks for themselves, such as how high to climb when in the park, closely supervised by the childminder. Role play in the garden, using ride on toys and road traffic signs, develop younger children's understanding of road safety.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an excellent understanding of how to be healthy as the learn that fresh air and exercise is good for them. They have daily opportunities to play outside with a good range of equipment that promotes their physical skills. Children learn about healthy eating and benefit from nutritious meals and snacks which they are involved in planning and preparing. Children grow vegetables and herbs in the garden and are encouraged to taste their produce. Their understanding of healthy eating is further developed as they make their own placemats with pictures of foods that are good for you. During the daily routine children learn the importance of good personal hygiene. Posters in the bathroom remind children to wash their hands. They have their own towels and understand that this is to prevent the spread of germs. 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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