Farleigh College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130373 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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 1994. She lives with her children aged 14 and 17 years in West Watford, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a bedroom available for rest and sleep. 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 has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 two 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. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 content with the childminder who recognises the uniqueness of each child. She works closely with parents to meet their children's welfare needs. Some positive measures are taken to ensure children are safeguarded at all times although documentation to support this is not in place. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed to some degree. However, she has not developed a system to monitor children's progress in their learning and development that involve parents and other providers to help ensure children are making progress in their learning and development. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and has identified some areas to develop.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure is obtained for all those over 16 years who live on the premises (Suitability of adults, also applies to the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register). 15/02/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's learning journey so that this takes a personal path based on their individual interests and experiences, share this with parents and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourage them to contribute to their children's learning records  develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that observations are used to plan activities and the next steps in children's learning  review the culture of reflective practice so that it includes children's views and that of their parents or carers and use this to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of safeguarding children. She has a satisfactory knowledge of the possible signs of child abuse and the need to report any concerns. She is aware of her responsibility in ensuring children are safeguarded at all times and has necessary documentation to support her in this. However, an oversight has meant that a family member has not yet obtained a Criminal Records Bureau check. The childminder is in the process of addressing this so that the Early Years Foundation requirements are fully met and children are safeguarded. The childminder visually checks the environment for safety and reviews the risk assessments for indoor and outdoor safety on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms a close partnership with parents. However, their views and that of their children's are yet to be included in the evaluation process. Parents receive informal feedback at collection time, regarding children's care and achievements. She is flexible, keen to support families and ensures all children are fully included. The childminder generally keeps parents up-to-date about children's welfare needs and activities they have enjoyed whilst visiting social groups. Systems to fully engage parents in their children's learning and development are yet to be established.

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the early years provision

She is beginning to reflect on her practice and has identified improving links with the nursery school where some children attend as an area to improve. The childminder has addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection to some degree. She now has a current first aid certificate and has introduced some healthy eating habits to children. For example, she now ensures children have sound opportunities to eat a variety of fruit. Most documentation is in place, the childminder adapts the National Childminding Association polices to ensure they are personalised to her provision and parents are aware of her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children play happily in a homely and well-maintained environment. They are relaxed and make themselves at home with the childminder who is warm and affectionate. They understand the routines and expectations. Children learn how to keep themselves safe indoors and out. For example, they are reminded not to run This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 indoors and they learn about road safety during outings to age-appropriate sessions. Walking to and from school and nursery ensures they gain fresh air every day. They visit various multicultural groups every day where they learn to socialise and respect others. They learn about the local community and the wider environment through walks to parks and shops. They visit parks regularly so that they can practise physical skills such as climbing on the slide and successfully using swings. The indoor environment is adapted so that younger children who are

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and outcomes for children

developing emerging physical skills are appropriately supported.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder occasionally reads some of the Early Years Foundation Stage booklets to promote her understanding on how to support children's learning through play. However, the childminder has no robust system for ensuring that she plans and provides activities that will help children develop in all areas of learning. She has not yet developed an effective monitoring system to help her identify individual children's progress and plan for their next steps in their learning and development. Children learn to share and take turns as they play together. They help themselves to the resources within their reach and from the toy box or shelves in the dining room. The childminder ensures that she provides a varied range of toys and activities that will interest and challenge individual children. For example, she has introduced an interactive toy containing colourful balls to a toddler who enjoys working out how to operate the toy. She ensures favourite

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and outcomes for children

resources such as the wooden train set and cars are easily available. She supports early language development by talking to the children about what they are doing and by repeating what they say using the correct language and grammar. Older children enjoy creative play and construction with stickle bricks. They particularly like playing with a doctor's set and pretend to make the childminder's 'finger better'. They use their imagination well and the childminder provides some positive interaction to extend their language and understanding. Children learn that print carries meaning as they bring books from nursery to share with the childminder. Further age-appropriate books are easily available. The childminder takes some steps to manage the use of the television. For example, it is generally turned off following lunch so that children can continue their play and younger toddlers can concentrate on eating their lunch.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are appropriately met. There are effective systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder uses baby wipes with young children and encourages older children to wash their hands and uses paper towels or wipes. This ensures children develop good personal hygiene habits. Children can rest or sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes are considered to ensure there is a continuity of care. 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 4 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 15/02/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Arrangements for safeguarding children). 15/02/2011

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