Prior, Harriet Victoria

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345332 Inspection date 08/06/2010 Inspector Alison Reeves

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children, aged four years and 17 months, in Buntingford, Hertfordshire. Most of the easily accessed premises is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives or walks to a local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She takes children to the park, farms, library, indoor soft play areas and educational facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for four children under eight years and of these, one may be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range on a part-time basis. She supports children with English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

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 in the Early Years Foundation Stage are very well supported and benefit from the childminder’s comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their individual learning and development needs. She is highly effective in the support she gives children helping them to thrive as individuals. Her recognition of their individuality and the value placed on their interests, ideas and opinions ensures they are making good progress towards the early learning goals appropriate to their age, ability, interests and starting points. The policies and procedures are effectively implemented to promote children’s welfare and safety. The childminder has developed and maintained positive relationships with parents and is establishing links with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers for the benefit of children. Self evaluation is well underway and shows the childminder's dedication to developing her practices to promote increasingly improved outcomes

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further?

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

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further?

 develop parents involvement in their children's learning

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded by the childminder who is clear about her role in protecting children from abuse and how to record and report any concerns about their wellbeing. She ensures children are not left alone with anyone else and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that adults in contact with children have undergone the required vetting process. Policies are robust in ensuring children's safety. She conducts a number of thorough risk assessments both in the home and for outings to ensure the elimination of risk.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended the required childminder training and is proactive and committed to ongoing professional development, shown by her attendance at additional training and comprehensive implementation of what she has learnt and how this relates to her work with children and their families. She has developed her understanding of all aspects of the legal requirements in relation to the records required. Self evaluation is highly effective and the childminder has thoroughly examined her practice, reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses and the necessary steps to make improvements. She is committed to providing the best possible environment and care for children and sets out her aims for the future as providing a secure, caring ,well run, happy setting.

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the early years provision

The environment is well suited for childminding. It is organised to ensure children have easy access to a range of resources and sufficient space to play freely. For example, the children and their childminder play with the dolls, home corner units and utensils and the play food. This is lots of fun, children enjoy role playing the care of their "babies" and offering food to one another. A variety of worthwhile activities are available each day and children are always under adult supervision. Children feel very confident to select resources and make their needs for particular resources known. The outdoor area is fully included and used extremely well to support children's learning. It gives children the scope for many activities in the open air on a daily basis. The children participate in planting and growing their own vegetables, feeding the hens and collecting eggs. This contributes significantly

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of each child’s background and is effective in ensuring that all children are well integrated. She observes children and monitors their development ensuring she is able to identify any gaps and work with children and their families to support their ongoing achievement. Children behave well and the childminder's use of clear, appropriate and consistent strategies to support them in this also helps them to understand other peoples' feelings.

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the early years provision

The childminder is establishing links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure the progression and continuity of children’s learning and care. Relationships with parents are well established and the childminder's clear understanding of the families' expectations helps to provide continuity of care and a sense of security for the children. Parents are kept well informed about all aspects of their children’s achievements, wellbeing and development through the daily diary, the learning journey book and photographs but are not yet fully involved in contributing towards their children's learning at the setting. They have been provided with information about the childminder's service including details of the policies and procedures to ensure that they understand the operation of her childminding service. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and this enables her to offer highly effective support to children ensuring they make good progress in all areas of learning and development. She places emphasis on planning for children's individual interests and developmental needs. She has very effective systems for monitoring activities and the progress children are making, including the regular observations to identify their next learning steps. These next steps are prominent features of the activity planning. Observations are followed up to show when next steps are achieved. All observations are placed in the individual learning journey book along with photographs and samples of children's work.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works exceptionally hard providing an highly appropriate and stimulating environment to ensure all children are nurtured so that they meet their full potential. They move confidently around the home choosing the resources they require. The childminder’s interaction with children is very warm and caring. Children feel secure and confident to tackle new challenges because of the very good level of support she provides. The childminder is skilled in engaging the children and motivating them. For example, when a child successfully switches on the play kettle, which is battery operated and makes a bubbling sound as the water boils, the childminder praises the child saying "well done, you are clever". The child responds to the childminder's encouragement by repeating the activity and they listen together to the bubbling sound.

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and outcomes for children

The enabling environment engages children in active learning, in which they take the lead and the childminder supports them with questions, commentary and ideas, this helps them to concentrate and stay motivated. The well organised play areas allow children to play with a variety of toys simultaneously. Children have many opportunities to extend their learning because the childminder supports them in problem solving by asking open questions and giving them time to work through things in their own time. Children sustain interest in their play and actively encourage the childminder's involvement.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is knowledgeable about each child’s abilities and what they enjoy doing. She helps children to develop their independence, their understanding of other people’s thoughts and feelings and how to cooperate with one another. They are learning to take turns and are encouraged to be polite. The childminder provides a good role model helping children to become aware of how to behave well. Children play an active role in the local community attending a number of educational and social groups. They learn about the wider world through appropriate adult led activities, including the celebration of popular festivals. Children are actively encouraged to make choices about what they want to do each day and help with planning by using the activity cards and velcro board where they display their chosen activities. They have a very good understanding of healthy eating because they take part in growing their own foods in the garden. Children

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and outcomes for children

play outside throughout the year, being physically active, developing body awareness and control. They are increasingly independent and inquisitive learners This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and are developing skills that contribute to their future economic wellbeing. Children are developing their expressive language so they become effective communicators. 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 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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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