Wilberforce Sixth Form College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129262 Inspection date 08/06/2010 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 1993. She lives with her husband in Welwyn Garden City. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. The family has no pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, three of whom may be in the early years age group.

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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 and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. There are currently seven children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

Children are making progress in their learning and development, however the weakness in the observation and assessment process make it difficult to inform future planning. The childminder ensures that children are safe within the environment although the record of risk assessment lacks some necessary detail. She has a positive working relationship with both parents and other settings providing care for the children. This helps to ensure that she knows the individual needs of the children in her care and that these are met. A requirement has not been met with regards to obtaining information on who has parental responsibility. The process of reflective practice and self-evaluation is still developing in order to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 23/06/2010

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment so that it includes information on who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 23/06/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve the assessment to clearly show how the observations link to where children are in their learning and inform future planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection. She is aware of the signs to look for and the steps to take to safeguard children as she keeps up to date with her training and has a clear procedure in place. All members of the household have been vetted. Children are safe and secure in the home and on outings because effective risk assessments have been carried out although the record of risk assessment does not include a date showing when action has been taken. There are excellent procedures in place to ensure that only authorised adults collect children.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is well supported and the childminder is aware of the individual needs of the children. A wide range of good quality resources are easily accessible to the children and fully stimulate their play, maintaining their interest and concentration. The childminder also utilises facilities available within the local community, such as, the Children's centre, toddler groups, farms and parks to provide further exciting experiences for the children. Equality and diversity are promoted well as the childminder seeks lots of information about the children's background, religion and home language. She encourages the children to participate in activities which increase their awareness of the wider world. For example, children tried to carry out everyday tasks with their eyes covered or their arm bandaged to gain an idea of what it feels like to be blind or not to be able to use your limbs. Children learn about different cultures and customs as they attend

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the early years provision

'around the world day' where they can dress up in national costumes and taste multicultural foods. The requirement to obtain information about who has parental responsibility for the child has not been met.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are strong and the childminder shares lots of information with parents, regularly asking for updates on the 'all about me' sheets. This enables parents to continually be involved in how their child is progressing. The childminder has links with the local nursery teacher, ensuring continuity of learning and care. The childminder is able to identify some strengths and weaknesses of the provision and has started to involve parents in the self-evaluation. She is open to further training and keen to build on her knowledge of caring for children with English as an additional language. This shows her capacity for continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She establishes their starting points from obtaining information from parents and completing her own initial observations. Anecdotal observations mainly link back to the early learning goals rather than the specific elements of the Early Years This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Foundation Stage, therefore, children's next steps are not always identified.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's play, joining in and suggesting ideas and encouraging further challenge. For example, one child confidently counted the stickle bricks and the childminder asked him if he could then count in Spanish which he did. Children are keen to show their physical skills as they call to the childminder to watch them hop, spin and roll over. The children were observed showing concern for the baby as they got a tissue to wipe her nose, gave her cuddles and sang 'row, row, row the boat' with her. Young children are developing as they use low-level furniture to pull themselves up and watch with interest as the childminder plays a game of 'where's your nose, eyes?' and join in touching parts of their faces. Speech and language is promoted as babies are encouraged to say familiar words, for example, as the pre-school children read the dinosaur story book to the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children visit toddler groups, soft play areas and farms within the community and have been roller skating with the childminder. They enjoy singing songs and are able to find the letters in their names on the abacus. Children are involved in measuring and mixing ingredients to make jellies and jam tarts and the childminder uses these opportunities to promote the importance of hygiene.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy well-balanced meals including lots of fruit and vegetables and the childminder takes account of specific dietary requirements. They are developing a very good awareness of keeping themselves safe as they use the lollipop man when crossing the road near school and regularly practise the fire evacuation procedure. The childminder gives them clear explanations for keeping safe and they have received visits from the fire service and a policewoman, as well as attending a 'doctor and nurse' day at the Children's centre. Most of the required documentation is in place. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 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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