Trident Alternative Provision Ltd

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 149564 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 15 years in Codicote, Hertfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two guinea pigs. The childminder has successfully completed the Hertfordshire Quality Standards, which is a kite mark quality assurance scheme.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding three children in this age group, one of which is on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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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 has developed strong links with parents, carers and other agencies and regularly shares information about the children. This enables her to have a thorough knowledge of each child's individual needs and interests. The childminder uses this knowledge, and her good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, to provide a wide range of activities and experiences that help to promote every child's individual learning and development. The childminder regularly reviews and evaluates her work with the self-evaluation procedures she has in place, enabling her to build a clear picture of her practice and carry out improvements where required. Therefore, she provides a service which is responsive to the needs of children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking on each specific outing. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 15/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities for children to learn about good health and hygiene procedures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is generally promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. She has completed additional training and has devised her own well written procedures to identify any child who may be at risk. This enables her to take appropriate action if required. Children are building up a good understanding of how to keep themselves, and others, safe as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan. They are encouraged to learn about minimising risks to each other through regular, gentle reminders, such as tidying up to avoid slipping over the resources that are out. Thorough risk assessments and daily checks ensure that hazards inside the home are minimised in order to keep children safe. However, risk assessments are not completed for each outing that the children participate in, therefore, their safety and welfare, outside of the childminder's home, are

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the early years provision

The childminder's procedures for self-evaluation are effective. She regularly reviews and evaluates her setting to see where improvements can be made. An example of this is where the childminder has devised a 'feelings box'. The box is used for children to leave notes, about how they are feeling, for the childminder if they are unable to talk about these in front of others, therefore, promoting children's self-esteem and confidence. Resources are of good quality, easily accessible for children to make independent choices and are age- and stage- appropriate.

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the early years provision

The childminder works very closely with parents and carers to ensure that she fully understands each child's background and particular individual needs, therefore, providing a service which is inclusive to all children and their families and she ensures that she can effectively accommodate each child where possible, in line with her admissions policy. The childminder fully promotes children's understanding of differences as she develops their learning through, for example, reading books, having discussions whilst out walking or using art and craft opportunities when learning about different religions and cultures. Therefore, children's understanding of diversity is promoted.

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the early years provision

Children's and parents' views are consistently taken into consideration as they are asked to complete questionnaires about the setting and how they feel it can be improved. The childminder receives positive written feedback from parents stating how happy they are with the care their children receive, demonstrating the excellent relationships they have built. The childminder fully encourages discussion with parents and regularly informs them of their children's progress through the sharing of their individual learning journey's. The childminder effectively liaises with external agencies to ensure that each child is offered the support they require. She works closely with the staff at the local children's centre and has developed excellent links with the local pre-school and nursery staff, therefore, promoting a consistent approach. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in all areas of their learning and are fully supported in this because the childminder has a thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements appropriate procedures for observing and assessing children and she uses this information to inform her well-organised planning. She provides relevant and interesting activities, which are adapted to suit each child. Therefore, children's individual development is promoted. Topic planning and observations are completed in full and together they enable the childminder to provide interesting experiences, in accordance with their next steps, to extend children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour demonstrates that they feel safe and secure. They confidently play alone, together or with the childminder and have regular opportunities to make independent choices about their play. Children access the resources available, whilst the childminder supports them to ensure that they are appropriate for the their ages and stages of development. Children's development is promoted because the childminder enthusiastically joins in with their play. For example, as children use 'play dough' the childminder joins in, asking questions about what they are making, and then when the children make pretend food she encourages them by pretending to eat the food whilst telling them what great cooks they are.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop their problem solving and numeracy skills in everyday situations such as when they talk about whether the babies' clothes are too big or too small. They have opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world through topic work as well as using battery operated toys. They learn about computers as they use child-friendly laptops and are beginning to develop this further as the childminder encourages them to use a mouse and keyboard. The childminder ensures that her setting is an inclusive environment where all children feel secure. They are observed to be happy and content and they respond to the childminder in a warm and friendly way.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good, because the boundaries and ongoing explanations the childminder gives about behaviour promote their feelings of security. Children have a good understanding of appropriate behaviour as they are gently reminded, during their play, to share resources. Children of all ages and stages are included in the activities offered because the childminder ensures that these are adapted to suit the individual child, promoting inclusion. Children's skills in communication, language and literacy are developing well through daily opportunities for singing. They also have independent access to books, which they choose from the library, and enjoy listening to stories with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop skills for the future through the provision of small world toys, dressing up clothes and imaginative toys where their imaginations are encouraged. An example of this is where children are playing with the dolls. They create their own game of 'mummies and babies'. After deciding who will play which part they feed the dolls and take them for a walk in the pushchairs. As they take on these roles one child, playing the baby, says This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 "mummy", the child playing the mummy role says "you might hurt yourself". The child playing baby replies "I'm alright", therefore, showing care and concern for each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical development is well promoted as they are encouraged to participate in a range of different opportunities including visiting different toddler and soft play groups, enjoying walks in the woods wearing their wellies, and free play in the childminder's garden where they use static and ride-on resources. Children's understanding of health and hygiene practices are generally promoted as they wash their hands before snacks and meals and are encouraged to eat five portions of fruit and/or vegetables a day. However, children are not always encouraged to learn about the importance of good hygiene as they cough and sneeze. 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 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 2

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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 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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