Pemberton Boys' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129696 Inspection date 10/03/2010 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 1993 and co-minds with her daughter, who is also a registered childminder. She lives in Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the house is registered for childminding and is accessible with a ground floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range when working alone. When working with her co-minder five children may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in this age group on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children are making progress in their learning and development as they are provided with a range of appropriate activities and experiences. Detailed information is obtained from parents about children's individual needs so that the childminder is able to meet these, more effectively through also having a co- minder. The childminder acted on the recommendation made at her last inspection and particularly improved her documentation. Recently she has started to evaluate the provision and her practice, and now has a clearer view of her current priorities for development and how she intends to resolve most of them. Her increased commitment demonstrates a strong capacity to maintain future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop liaison with other settings children attend for continuity of care and learning  develop systems for sensitive observational assessments, identifying what children can do, what they need to do next, and then plan appropriate activities to encourage this progression.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder is very aware of her role and responsibility to protect them, has recently refreshed some aspects of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge, particularly of reporting concerns, and is confident about what signs and symptoms would cause her to act. Risk assessments are used to manage or eliminate most risks and the childminder takes responsibility for ensuring that safety checks are completed in the morning before children arrive. Working with a co-minder enables higher levels of supervision, especially on outings, and for different activities to take place simultaneously. Resources provided are suitable for the current age range and placed around the rooms used so that children can access them independently. These include books, dolls and small world resources promoting positive images of diversity and the childminder has some awareness of

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the early years provision

children's cultural backgrounds. Sensible use is made of the childminder's time, for example, she does the school run in the car and cooks most of the meals and consideration is also given to children's routines such as an early lunch for those going to nursery in the afternoon. As a result she demonstrates that she meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage through a combination of documentation, discussion and her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has renewed enthusiasm for the future and has a strong sense of where she wants her practice to develop. She is mainly realistic about her weaknesses and is using self-evaluation effectively to highlight areas to improve, also identifying some accessible training courses. She works hard to establish strong relationships with parents and they comment that they feel welcomed and are very happy with the care provided. A daily exchange of information keeps them all updated about relevant changes or significant events and they have had opportunities to express their opinion of the provision through questionnaires. The childminder has past experience of caring for children with additional needs and supports parents with any concerns they might have. Although the childminder has some contact with other settings children attend these partnerships are not yet effective in ensuring continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children obviously enjoy their time with the childminder. They are provided with increasing opportunities to develop their own ideas and freedom to move around the ground floor as they arrange the resources where they want them and make up games together. They have time for free play when they often use role play situations and more structured activities, such as sitting down to do some drawing or playing with dough, using various tools. Additional learning experiences are provided during local nature walks, such as to collect conkers in the autumn, or visits to the nearby museum. Children are involved in household routines, such as tidying away before lunch and are made to feel part of the family, particularly as their pictures are displayed on the wall. The childminder has begun to make a record of children's significant achievements, which will later be shared with parents, but these do not yet include details of the next steps to help them

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and outcomes for children

progress further nor include all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder prepares healthy meals for the children, samples of which they have made a menu with together, and they are always encouraged to try and taste all the food provided; parents are particularly happy with the food provided. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop social skills by sitting together to eat and are encouraged to use their manners appropriately. More frequent use is currently being made of outings and the local park, as the garden is being cleared, to ensure that children have regular access to fresh air and they enjoy the physical challenge of larger play equipment. Children engage in robust hand washing routines and the childminder is responsible for most of the household cleaning to ensure that risks of cross- infection are minimised. Children do not normally attend when they are ill, and there are few recorded accidents, although both minders have current first aid

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and outcomes for children

certificates and ensure that the first aid box is fully stocked so that children receive appropriate treatment if necessary. The childminder has house rules in place which children generally respect, with simple reminders given when needed, as they know what is expected of them. These also contribute to children feeling safe as they are aware of boundaries and routines, such as taking their shoes off inside. They are confident in their interaction with each other and adults in the setting and enter happily. They demonstrate that they are learning appropriate skills for the future such as sharing and taking turns. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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