Elm Road First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129612 Inspection date 06/01/2011 Inspector Sheila Harrison

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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 assesses 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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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 1990. She lives with her husband, an adult son and daughter and a child aged 11 years in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the front bedroom and the bathroom of the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family do not have any pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 childminder provides a positive atmosphere with a welcoming environment. Children are happy, settled and making good progress in their learning and development. There are strong relationships with parents who are clearly informed about their child's welfare and this helps recognise the uniqueness of each child. The childminder has effective relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are kept safe and secure and benefit from the efficient health and safety procedures. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and takes effective steps to improve her practice benefiting the children's well-being.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the strategies to extend positive attitudes to diversity, increasing children's interest in, and respect for different ways of life and encouraging them to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well managed due to the childminder's genuine commitment to safeguard them. She has attended training and the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and reporting details are easily to hand for reference. A comprehensive portfolio of information contains documents to ensure the smooth running of the childminding arrangements. Children are cared for in a secure environment with risks suitably assessed and documented. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures the safety of the premises through daily checks. Outings are thoroughly planned with any hazards assessed and minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has highly positive and long established relationships with the parents. She ensures that the needs of all children are met and that parents are kept well informed. Children's achievements are confirmed through verbal discussions, photographs of the children at play and their learning journeys. Young children have a daily diary. This ensures there is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. The childminder is well-aware of children's current development, likes and dislikes through her observations and the information parents provide. This information helps the childminder to provide an individualised service and have realistic expectations of the children. The childminder has secure links with the other settings the children attend and this makes a valuable contribution to the continuity of learning and care the children receive. School projects are continued with the childminder and the children

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the early years provision

discuss the names and properties of various shapes. She sensitively checks their current understanding and increases their knowledge by naming the shapes they are unfamiliar with.

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the early years provision

The childminder efficiently reflects on her practice. She has completed a self- evaluation form and used information from the parents' questionnaire to ensure their views are taken into account. The childminder has a commitment to continuing professional development and is developing a good understanding of the Early Years Foundations Stage. She has frequently attended short courses to ensure that her knowledge and skills are updated.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is well supported as the childminder's efficient use of time gives them ample individual attention. The accommodation and plentiful play equipment is well organised to allow the children to become absorbed in their play and concentrate on making complicated models as they use the wide range of interlocking bricks.

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the early years provision

Children are secure with a strong sense of belonging. They take part in the community in which they live by visiting local toddler groups, playgrounds and farms. Children are beginning to learn about the lives of others through an adequate range of books, small world models and puzzles depicting other cultures and people with disabilities. However, the childminder is less confident at exploring aspects of diversity to advance children's understanding of different communities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder ensures she regularly obtains information from parents on children's starting points and current stage of development. She undertakes frequent, sensitive observations and accurate assessments. She knows the children's strengths and interests very well and uses this to plan for the children's next stage of development. For example, children enjoy the colouring-in sheets and these are linked to the their favourite story book characters. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is skilled at promoting positive attitudes to learning, ensuring that every child is effectively challenged. Her warm and playful interactions motivate young children well and help them to make progress. Children have a great deal of fun as they learn the rules, share and take turns whilst playing games. Older

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and outcomes for children

children choose games that are complicated to set up and the childminder sensitively supports the younger children to succeed in the task of putting the leaves in the honey pot. Their counting skills are encouraged as they count the bees at the end of the game and declare who is the winner.

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and outcomes for children

Parents and the childminder discuss the system of behaviour management to ensure children are safe, well supported and have consistent and appropriate boundaries. Children are encouraged to develop good manners and are appropriately praised when they remember to say please and thank you.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy living and are reminded to wash their hands before eating. They are developing their independence as they remove their coats and shoes when they come indoors. Parents provide packed meals and the children are encouraged to eat their meals sitting comfortably at the table. They discuss the benefits of a healthy diet and their favourite foods. Children have useful opportunities to play and exercise in the garden and visit the local park allowing them to develop healthy bodies. Young children are developing awareness of their own bodies as they learn to name parts of their face and upper body. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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