Low Road First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 127837 Inspection date 17/01/2011 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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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 1981. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at anyone time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two grown-up children in a residential area of Ware, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the main bedroom on the first floor are used for minding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has one duck and two chickens which are kept as pets.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy in the care of the childminder. She undertakes some observations of children at play and uses the information gathered to plan a range of satisfactory activities to help them progress. The childminder exchanges information with parents about their chil's individual care and learning needs. Partnerships with other providers of care and education are developing. The childminder promotes an inclusive, healthy and generally safe environment. She undertakes reflective practice which ensures priorities for development are identified and acted upon.

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further?

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

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident 31/01/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that risk assessments cover anything with which a child comes in to contact  develop further continuity and coherence of learning opportunities by sharing relevant information with other settings the children attend  develop further the current system of assessment to ensure that observations are undertaken consistently across all areas of learning and that children's next steps are clearly linked to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are protected from the risk of abuse or neglect. This is because the childminder has undertaken child protection training in the past and demonstrates a sound understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. Risk assessments of the premises are undertaken, however, these are not recorded as required. In addition, current risk assessments are not fully effective as they do not include all areas accessible to children. This could potentially compromise children's safety. All other records, contracts and permission forms, required by legislation, are in place and maintained. This includes daily registers which enable the childminder to safely account for children in her home at all times.

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the early years provision

Because of ongoing work to her home, the childminder currently rotates children's resources each day. As a result, an adequate selection of activities, toys and books are provided at low level, enabling children to access them independently. The fully enclosed rear garden is used for outdoor play. The childminder ensures that children have the opportunity to discuss and experience the diverse world they live in. This is achieved by using reference materials to find out about other cultures and by trips out and about in the local community.

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the early years provision

The childminder exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and ensures that they have access to their child's learning record. There are limited systems in place to promote the sharing of information with other providers of care and education which the children attend. This has the potential to impact on the childminders ability to fully promote continuity of learning. Since her last inspection the childminder has attended a variety of training to help her to keep up-to-date with current childcare practice and promote improvement. For example, she has completed a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in children's care, learning and development. The childminder undertakes self-evaluation of her service. She occasionally visits the local children's centre where she is able to hold discussions about best practice with other childminders and a Local Authority development worker in order to assist her to improve her service. Recommendations raised at

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the early years provision

her last inspection have been implemented. The childminder strives to ensure her provision is sustainable.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the learning, development and welfare requirements. However, planning, observations and next steps are not yet sufficiently linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage criteria to actively promote children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children display a sense of security and emerging confidence. At times they look to the childminder for reassurance and support, for example, at the arrival of the visiting inspector. The childminder draws learning from children at play by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 providing activities which interest them, which helps to encourage a positive attitude to learning. She offers a running commentary during activities, including teaching about colours, numbers and shapes. Children make choices about what they would like to do next as they move around the ground floor of the setting. Children develop manipulative skills as they learn to hold single handed tools, such as dough cutters and scissors, competently. They learn how to problem-solve whilst using dough containers, working out how to make a tower. They begin to develop their understanding of number language for instance, when counting how

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and outcomes for children

many eyes they and the childminder have. Children have fun taking part in role- play as they make an apple pie and cook it for the childminder. Children enjoy taking part in physical play; stretching, rolling and manipulating media such as dough. Each day is flexibly planned to suit the needs of the children attending.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing their understanding of how to keep themselves safe with support from the childminder. They are beginning to show an understanding about healthy lifestyles as they follow appropriate personal hygiene routines, such as, washing their hands after using the toilet. Children's good health is further promoted through access to the rear garden, or on trips out to local parks in the fresh air. The childminder provides a balanced range of meals and snacks. Drinks are easily accessible and the childminder provides gentle reminders to ensure that children remain hydrated. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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