Laurance Haines Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129139 Inspection date 11/03/2010 Inspector Kim Wailling

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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 1992 and lives with her husband and two adult children in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. Access to the premises is via a level drive with a step to the front door. The family has a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for three children in the early years age range and three children over five years. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range and one child over the age of five on a part- time only basis. No overnight care is offered.

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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

Children are making outstanding progress in their learning and development because the childminder is an experienced childcare practitioner who has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children's individual needs are fully known as the childminder has a first-rate partnership with their parents. Children of all ages are offered an inclusive service where their well-being is given the highest priority at all times. They are kept safe as the childminder has a fully informed and comprehensive understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues. Ambition is embedded in the childminder's practice underpinned by highly effective systems that support self- evaluation and sustain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 involving further parents in increasing children's awareness of the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an outstanding understanding of how to protect children from harm. She has kept up to date with changes in child protection by completing relevant training and ensures that all reporting procedures are kept easily available. In addition, the childminder has ensured that checks have been carried out regarding the suitability of any person living within her home which are available for parents to see. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's care, learning and welfare are exceptionally well promoted because the childminder puts the individual needs of children in her care first. The childminder has an excellent awareness of what constitutes an inclusive service for children which is evident in her planning and child assessment systems. She recognises the unique skills and abilities of each child. For example, she strives to ensure that

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the early years provision

children never feel as if they are being assessed and uses children's interests, suggestions and home experiences to direct the types of activities that they are offered. Working in partnership with other agencies such as health visitors and the local Children's Centre is well established. The childminder is able to draw on the expertise offered by these services to ensure that children who are experiencing developmental delay or who have a specific learning disability are well supported and make exceptional progress. In addition, the childminder liaises with local schools to ensure that the transition period to leading to full-time school attendance runs smoothly. This is one of the many strengths of the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed excellent working relationships with the children’s parents so that information about children’s health and development is continuously shared. Ample information is available to parents about the service the childminder offers and how she organises her childminding day. The childminder takes time to talk to parents and support their parenting skills. The childminder has identified that greater emphasis is required to this area, particularly helping parents to raise their children's awareness of the benefits of healthy eating. This has therefore been brought forward as a recommendation.

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the early years provision

The childminder is proactive and strives at all times to ensure an exceptional high quality of service is offered for children and their families. She attends a diverse and worthwhile range of courses which covers areas as updating her skills in carrying out risk assessments, first aid and child development. In addition, she is a well-established childminder in her local community who helps to run two childminding groups as well as being a committee member of childcare groups based her local Children's Centre. However, the childminder is very 'hands-on' and clearly enjoys working with children in her own home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children's learning exceptionally as she makes herself constantly available to children to support their play, offer ideas and involved children in adult-led activities. Children eagerly respond and involve themselves in activities such as building stickle brick models, making cards and drawing, which are well supervised and resourced. Highly effective and comprehensive assessment and planning systems are consistently used to monitor children's progress, plan the next steps in their learning and inform planning so that children are offered appropriate challenges and exciting experiences. This means that the childminder has an excellent overall picture of each child's progress so that she is able to identify a child's need for additional support and take appropriate action. For example, using interactive books to gain the interest of a younger child and encourage language development. Attention is paid to ensuring that children have

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and outcomes for children

the opportunity to gain skills for the future, particularly in information technology. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 In this area that childminder has acquired an interesting range of equipment, including interactive toys, which children can freely access.

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and outcomes for children

Cross-curricular themes such as watching garden wildlife are used to encourage children to be active learners. Activities are documented by taking photographs which are made into attractive individual portfolios which shared with the children's parents and for some children their grandparents. In addition, excellent use is made of outdoor areas to stimulate children's learning. For example, children plant and tend seeds as well as have the opportunity to use large age-appropriate equipment such as a slide, bikes and a play house. Every inch of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and children's work and posters are attractively displayed which creates a welcoming and bright childcare environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder's skilled approach in helping children manage their own behaviour was very much in evidence throughout the inspection visit. Children's independence and social skills, for example, are sensitively nurtured and children blossom in the childminder's care enjoying her company and that of other minded children. All children are encouraged to make decisions as part of the daily routine and are actively encouraged to follow sensible house rules such as tidying away discarded toys. Simple games are devised to enlist reluctant children's help in returning toys to their boxes which is a highly successful strategy and more importantly great fun for everyone to join in.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety, health and well being are exceptionally well promoted as the childminder takes comprehensive and well informed measures. For example, risk assessments are thorough and periodically reviewed to ensure that they work in practice. Features to help children keep themselves safe are in place including involving children in activities such as traffic awareness. In addition, the childminder encourages children to wear high visibility jackets when visiting busy playgrounds so that they are easy to spot in a crowded play space. Policies surrounding children's health and safety set out very clearly what the childminder hopes to achieve and by what means. These are shared with parents and where necessary adapted to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is passionate about her role as a childminder and has successfully combined a highly professional approach with caring everyday childcare practice. Many parents have written excellent references about the childminder describing her support and love for their children as outstanding. A noticeable strength of the provision is how quickly children become comfortable and ‘at home’ in the childminder's care and have a enjoyable time.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children of all ages receive an outstanding level of care and make excellent progress in their learning and development given their individual starting points. 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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