Clymping College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130198 Inspection date 15/12/2009 Inspector Jill Nugent

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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 registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a house in Potters Bar. Access to the house is at ground level. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outdoor play. The childminder has been awarded the Hertfordshire Quality Standards Award and has completed a level three National Vocational Qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight, of whom three may be in the early years age group at any one time. Currently she is minding three children, two of whom are in the early years age group and one on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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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 welcoming and inclusive setting. She offers children a stimulating play environment in which they thrive. She has an exceptional approach to promoting children's learning and development, combining excellent practice with comprehensive documentation to ensure that children make significant progress given their individual starting points. Children's welfare is promoted effectively through the implementation of appropriate policies and procedures. The childminder's partnership with parents is a strength of the provision and contributes to the high quality of care and education that children receive. The childminder strives towards continual improvement through making the most of opportunities to increase her own knowledge and understanding of childcare practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 looking at ways to link observations to planning to ensure that children's next steps are always included in the activity planning  ensuring that a record of the risk assessment of the premises is always available.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely well organised and has a large collection of information and documentation to support her practice. She has an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and appropriate procedures in place relating to child protection. She carries out regular recorded safety checks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and thorough risk assessments of all outings. Her attendance and medical records are well maintained, although at the time of inspection there was no record of the premises risk assessment available. Her close attention to required policies and procedures ensures that children keep safe and healthy in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic in her attitude to learning and development. She actively encourages children to learn through play in fun and exciting ways. She spends her time involved with children, developing very close relationships. Her meticulous approach to observation and planning, combined with her lively interaction, result in the provision of excellent learning opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. She maximises the potential of her resources and planned activities to support children's skill development. Her awareness of children's individual needs contributes to a fully inclusive approach to care and education.

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the early years provision

Parents receive detailed information about the provision for children and are kept up to date with daily events through the use of written diaries. The childminder regularly shares children's progress files with parents so that they can be involved in their children's learning and help to support them at home. She seeks parents' views through the use of questionnaires, responding to any concerns or requests regarding their children's care and development. Parents express their immense satisfaction with the care their children receive and the significant progress they make in their learning. The childminder is proactive in establishing links with other providers and professionals in order to offer extra support to children if necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects on her practice very effectively and this enables her to continually improve the outcomes for all children. Since her previous inspection she has focused on her own professional development through completing a National Vocational Qualification in addition to attending various courses relating to the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is very active in her local childminding group and takes opportunities to exchange news and ideas with colleagues. Through self-evaluation she has identified various aspects of her practice for further development, either through implementing new ideas or attending training courses. She also intends to update her quality standards award to ensure she maintains the high quality of her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a real sense of belonging and delight in the many play activities on offer. The childminder is adept at following up children's individual interests and finding ways to extend their learning in every play situation. For example, children very much enjoy exploring in different ways, such as manipulating play dough and cutting out pictures. The childminder sits alongside playing and talking with them. She asks questions that are relevant to children's exploration, suggests her own ideas and praises them for their contributions and achievements. Children have much fun as the play develops in different directions, for instance, using balls of play dough for a game of football. They are encouraged to be independent decision makers through being offered choices. The childminder organises interesting activities which are appropriate to their stage of development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

and can be easily adapted to suit those with different abilities. For instance, much interest is shown in using special pens to draw individual pictures for calendars.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder creates extremely attractive development folders for each child which include numerous observations and examples of children's learning. In this way children's progress in the six areas of learning is clearly shown and their learning needs identified. The childminder makes very good use of development charts to plan for children's next steps in learning and is interested in finding ways to show more clearly the links between her observations and activity plans. Her professional approach helps to ensure that children's developmental needs are met through informed and relevant support. For example, she moves children on in their learning through discussions as they share books, opportunities to experiment with different materials or visits to the park to try outdoor play equipment. Children enjoy a wide variety of creative activities and learn to use their senses as they play and explore. They develop skills for the future as they acquire new

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and outcomes for children

vocabulary, extend their use of language and learn problem solving skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain much self-esteem and confidence through the support and encouragement of the childminder. She provides individual place mats and coloured towels which encourage children to feel welcome and included. She increases their awareness of personal safety, hygiene and healthy lifestyles. Safety issues, such as potential dangers associated with using scissors or running indoors, are explained carefully to children. Children are well supervised and the various safety measures in place on the premises help them to feel safe and secure in the setting. They talk about safety when taking part in outings in the local area so that they learn to be vigilant. The childminder offers a variety of healthy and nutritious meals and promotes discussion amongst children about healthy eating. Children respond positively to the childminder, developing an excellent attitude towards learning and respect for others. They learn about a wider society when finding out

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and outcomes for children

about children's differing backgrounds and using resources that reflect diversity. 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 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 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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