Apple Tree Cottage School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129448 Inspection date 13/10/2010 Inspector Lindsay Hare

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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 registered in 1999. She lives with her partner and two adult children in Hemel Hempstead. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. 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. She is currently minding three children in the early years age range. She is also registered to care for children over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a dog and some fish.

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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

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment for children to ensure they are all included and supported. The partnership with parents and carers is a key strength and positively contributes to ensuring that the individual needs of all children are met. Most of the records, policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are in place, however, a requirement has not been met. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder's flexible approach to planning meets their needs. The childminder uses effective systems to monitor and evaluate her provision to ensure that improvements are made where necessary.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 27/10/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 there are no additional areas of improvement identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised a range of well-written policies and procedures to safeguard children in her care. She has a clear understanding of the procedure to follow if she has concerns and all the required contact numbers are in place. All This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 members of the household have been vetted and there are clear procedures in place to ensure that children are only collected by authorised people. Children move freely around the home and garden as an effective risk assessment has been conducted, ensuring that any hazards have been minimised. The childminder ensures that children are safe on outings. The childminder's professional and friendly approach to maintaining effective partnerships with parents ensures that children's care is consistently promoted. There are good systems in place to share information and keep parents informed about their child's care and progress

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the early years provision

through daily discussion, diaries and sharing of children's learning journals. The childminder communicates with the staff at a local nursery and attends a library time with children each week. Children learn about recycling as they are involved in helping to sort the paper and plastic refuse. Most of the necessary documentation and records are in place; however information about who has legal contact and parental responsibility for the child has not been obtained. This means that potentially children's welfare may be compromised and this is a breach of the requirements. Parent and child questionnaires are used to seek their views on how the service may be further improved. The childminder has consistently attended various training courses and workshops. She uses self-evaluation well, demonstrating a growing awareness of her strengths and areas for improvement and a capacity to further improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to make effective progress across all areas of learning and development through a balanced range of adult- and child-led activities, both indoors and outside. The childminder clearly knows the individual children very well and is able to talk to them about their home experiences. For example, as they discuss a new puppy in the family and what it looks like. Children's development is promoted as individual children's next steps are identified and information from assessment is fed into future planning. Children have access to a wide selection of activities and resources and are able to self- select from low-level storage, encouraging them to make choices and explore. Children are beginning to explore other cultures and religions, such as, celebrating Hanukah, talking about the six point star and playing Jewish games. They are provided with a good range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity,

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and outcomes for children

including dressing up and puzzles, which enables them to increase their understanding of the wider world. They explore new concepts in everyday activities. For example, growing pumpkins from seeds, carving them for Halloween and then using the flesh to make pumpkin pie and soup. Regular visits to the library and good planning of activities mean that children gain an appreciation of books and have many opportunities to extend their language. The childminder values and praises children's suggestions and ideas and uses positive language to correct children when they count incorrectly.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and confident and have warm and caring relationships with the childminder. They attend various groups with the childminder where they experience a range of activities, such as, threading pasta jewellery and international dancing. Children engage in physical exercise and develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge and understanding of the world as they visit the woods, make dens and collect leaves, cones and bark rubbings to add to their Autumn display. Children are provided with nutritious snacks and learn about healthy eating through discussion about what they have been growing in the garden. Consistent routines are used to teach children about hand-washing and personal care so they adopt healthy habits. For example, children are encouraged to brush their teeth until they are 'nice and shiny'. Children are becoming increasingly aware of keeping

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and outcomes for children

themselves and others safe. They know to stop at the stop sign on the front door and understand why they cannot play with the small pieces of the doll's house when the baby is present. 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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