Farningham Road County First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130056 Inspection date 19/04/2010 Inspector Victoria Vasiliadis

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children in the Woodhall area of South Oxhey in Watford. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with access to the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are three deep steps leading down to the front of the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children, with three children in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children within the early years age range and one child in the later years age group, who attend on a part- and full-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has achieved the Hertfordshire Quality Standards Award as a provider of quality in Early Years Childcare and Education in 2007, which is assessed every three years by the awarding authority.

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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 children are settled, secure and happy in the care of the childminder. This is as a result of the warm, welcoming and safe environment that is provided. All children are learning and developing and their welfare promoted as a result of the childminder's knowledge of the children in her care and through the activities and resources that she provides. She works with parents in order to support children who are learning English as an additional language. However, she continues to develop her practice in this areas to further support children learning English. The childminder works well with parents and carers to identify and support the individual needs of all the children. She is aware of her own strengths and weaknesses and is keen to make improvements in order to develop and enhance the service she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 further support children's language by providing an environment that is rich in signs, symbols, numbers, words, rhymes, books, pictures, music and songs which take account of children's home languages.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe as has identified and addressed potential hazards to children within the home. For This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 example, clear written fire evacuation plans are in place and regularly practised, this ensures that children know what to do should an emergency situation arise. In addition, the childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children if abuse is suspected and the reporting procedures to follow. The childminder ensures that children are not left unsupervised with any adults who have not been suitably vetted.

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the early years provision

The childminder is well organised and has developed good record keeping systems to ensure that all children's individual needs are identified and met. The childminder has clear written policies and procedures in place to support her practice in relation to children's safety and welfare. She has kept herself up to date with the local safeguarding children procedures and has a valid first aid certificate. The childminder has organised her home well, this enables the children to select their own resources and activities and to explore and play happily in a safe and secure environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effective systems in place to share information with parents and carers. For example, she uses daily diaries which record what the child has done during the day, places visited and issues in relation to their personal care. She also speaks to parents at the beginning and end of day as a means of sharing information. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the need to establish links with the local schools in order to complement children's learning and development. The children are content and settled as result of her effective settling in process. This practice ensures that the children's individual needs are met and continuity of care promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates both in her practice and in her self-evaluation a good understanding of her role in promoting children's welfare and learning. She is able to accurately identify her own strengths and weaknesses and has taken steps to address these. The childminder is committed to keeping herself up to date with current issues in relation to children's learning and welfare. For example, she has completed a letters and sounds course and training on the Early Years Foundation Stage. She wishes to continue to develop her knowledge and would like to complete a level 3 qualification in childcare. The childminder has addressed the previous recommendation raised at the last inspection.

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and outcomes for children

The children are making good progress in their learning and development as a result of the childminder's understanding of how children learn and through the activities and resources that she provides. For example, children thoroughly enjoy playing with the play dough and rolling and cutting different shapes. The childminder completes written observations of the children's progress and has begun to identify the next steps in their learning. Planning takes account of the children's interests, abilities and next steps. Children benefit from the suitably organised environment which enables them to make choices in their play as resources are within easy access as they are stored in low-level boxes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening are developing well as the childminder consistently talks to the children about what

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and outcomes for children

she is doing and actively involves them in conversations. Children are interested in books and enjoy looking at books whilst sat comfortably with the childminder. The children enjoy anticipating and guessing what animals they will find hidden under the different flaps and with the support of the childminder count the different animals. The childminder supports children's interests and the ways in which they investigate. For example, she provides activities and resources for children who are interested in 'things that go round'. The children also have access to a computer which they use under the supervision of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The children are provided with opportunities to explore the local community. For example, the childminder takes children for walks, to the local parks and children's centre. This practice helps the children to learn about their surroundings as they collect leaves and then bring them back for their creative activities. The childminder supports children with English as an additional language and has learnt some key words in the home languages spoken by the children. However, she continues to develop her practice in order to further support children. Children are provided with opportunities to learn about diversity as the childminder provides resources which reflect positive images of the wider community. The childminder talks to the parents to find out any customs, religious observances or dietary requirements that must be respected. She acknowledges festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Christmas and Easter, as a means of developing children's

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and outcomes for children

understanding of others within the community.

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and outcomes for children

The children are cared for in a safe and secure environment and are learning the importance of how to keep safe. For example, the childminder reminds children how to use the scissors safely and why they shouldn't climb on the furniture. Children's behaviour is managed in a calm and sensitive manner by the childminder who sets clear, reasonable and consistent limits which helps children to play and work feeling safe and secure. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements, which in turn promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is supported as the childminder provides children with regular drinks to keep them hydrated and has the necessary documents in place to support practice. For example, if children are contagious then parents are required to keep the child at home in order to reduce the spread of infection. The childminder acts as a positive role model to the children as they see her washing her hands after changing nappies and before handling food. 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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