King's Cliffe Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129697 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 1999 and co-minds with her mother, who is also a registered childminder. She lives with her partner and their child, but works at her mother's premises in Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the house is used for childminding and is accessible with the bathroom on the ground floor. 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 aged under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which 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 walks 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

The childminder provides effective support for children's individual needs by working alongside her co-minder and complementing each other's skills. As a result children receive more individual attention and parents are provided with a diverse service. A range of activities are provided which enable children to progress in all areas of their learning and development, although evidence to support this is still being developed. Positive partnerships with parents ensure that necessary information is exchanged daily which enables the childminder to meet children's welfare needs. Improvements made since the last inspection, particularly to paperwork, and a more secure understanding of most of the current requirements have boosted the childminder's confidence and indicate a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement in future.

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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. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has sufficient knowledge of issues that would cause her concern and what action to take, supported by her co- minder who has more knowledge and experience in this area. Details of all adults connected to the setting have been provided so that their suitability has been assessed. However the childminder failed to notify Ofsted of a change to her home address, which is an offence. As she does not work from this address Ofsted does not intend to take further action on this occasion. Risk assessments are used to identify potential hazards to children, for example, the rear garden is not currently being used, with a daily check of the premises ensuring necessary measures are in place. The first floor is registered for use, but rarely accessed, to ensure children remain under supervision. The premises provides ample play space for those attending, with resources sited to encourage self-selection. These include a

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the early years provision

suitable range promoting equality and diversity. The two minders divide their time between caring for children's needs and supporting their play and learning, for example, one prepares meals whilst the other supervises children helping to set the table and wash their hands.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets the requirements of Early Years Foundation Stage, demonstrated through the records, policies and procedures she shares with her co- minder. Some, such as the attendance register, are well maintained and policies are reviewed annually. Parents have full access to these and report that they feel well informed with time taken daily to exchange information and opportunities provided to talk over any concerns. The childminder has a strong rapport with the parents, which is one of her strengths and she has started to use self-evaluation to identify areas that need more development, such as access to technology for herself, and the children, and additional training needs. She is enthusiastic about continuing to develop her knowledge and practice, possibly including studying for a qualification in future. Although the childminder is aware that some children attend other settings, and she has some contact with them, these partnerships are not

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the early years provision

sufficiently developed to ensure that necessary information is exchanged to promote continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with effective learning and development opportunities, both within the premises and in the local community. They are encouraged to develop their own play ideas around some fixed routines, such as attending nursery. They obviously enjoy interacting together and spontaneously take on roles within their play scenarios, working out where to put resources, with the childminder joining in at times making suggestions that extend their play. Discussion takes place about what they are doing, they confidently talk to adults, and they freely access creative materials. The childminder provides a balance of activities which enable children to progress in all areas and has recently started to form her observations into their 'learning journeys'. Children have attended for several years and although the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder knows them well these assessments do not yet contain sufficient detail

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and outcomes for children

about individuals' next steps or cover all areas of learning to establish that they are making any more than satisfactory progress overall.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe within the setting, confidently move between rooms and are familiar with routines such as taking their shoes off on arrival. They demonstrate their increasing understanding of keeping themselves safe by their awareness of the rules, such as not to run inside, by taking part in regular fire drills and developing robust routines for road safety on the walk to school. Children learn to adopt healthy lifestyles through regular access to fresh air and physical play activities, normally in the garden, but currently through increased use of local parks. They also enjoy activities such as dancing inside. Children understand the need to wash their hands before eating and the use of liquid soap and individual towels helps to protect them from cross-infection. Healthy meals are provided and they have frequent access to drinks. All children make a positive contribution to the setting as they see their creative work displayed, join in household routines

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and outcomes for children

and adults listen to what they have to say. The emphasis on positive behaviour ensures children develop skills for the future, such as playing together and sharing. Incidents are few, but both childminders use the same age-appropriate methods to handle these to promote consistency. 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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