Grove Road Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129144 Inspection date 11/03/2011 Inspector Susan Parker

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her three children aged 19, 14 and 13 years in Garden Village, Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Access to the premises is down a slope. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding including the playroom, lounge and kitchen, the bathroom is upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor 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 this age range on a part time basis. She also offers care to 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 pet dog and a guinea pig. 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 make good progress towards the early learning goals in this welcoming setting. Careful monitoring and observations of the children enables the childminder to tailor learning experiences to suit the needs of each child. Well established partnerships with parents, the local pre-school and other agencies is very good and is highly significant in ensuring that the individual and diverse needs of all children are well met. This greatly benefits the children who make good progress, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has sought the views of parents and carers as part of her evaluation of the setting, however this has not been updated and so does not fully reflect her current practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for evaluating the early years provision in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children procedures and she is clear about her roles and responsibilities. Regular risk assessments together with a good understanding of safety ensures that the premises are safe for the children to explore. Successful partnership working and the sharing of information helps to safeguard the children and promote a coherence of learning and development across the different settings that the children attend. Parents and carers receive daily information regarding their children including all aspects of their welfare and developmental achievements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 This includes a detailed portfolio and a written set of policies and procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced and is fully committed to enhancing the welfare, learning and development of each child attending. She has a good knowledge of each child's individual needs and promotes children's understanding of equality and diversity. She regularly observes and plays with the children, developing her understanding of their interests and capabilities. The childminder has developed caring relationships with the children which promotes their feelings of security and confidence.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses written observations and a selection of photographs to form a detailed record of childrens achievements, which is regularly updated to ensure that it reflects each child's current standing. It is then used to plan and provide exciting and challenging activities which are very effective in promoting children's good progression towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminders good organisation ensures that children are able to access for themselves, a diverse range of good quality toys and resources that are age- appropriate and safe. Any accidents are recorded and the home is checked daily for hazards. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and has a good awareness of keeping children safe; she regularly assesses the home and takes appropriate precautions to keep children from harm. Through the childminder, the children are learning good habits, for example, washing their hands before eating and after touching the pets. Children are also developing healthy eating habits as they choose fruits for their snacks and can independently access their drinks at any time.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a form of self-evaluation, however, this has not been updated and therefore does not effectively reflect her current practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress as they enjoy a wide range of experiences in this setting which supports their learning and development. They display progressing levels of self-confidence in this setting where they show respect and affection for the childminder and each other. They are establishing very good social skills, as well as, firm friendships. This actively promotes children's skills which will help them in the future. The childminder knows each child very well and provides them with interesting and exciting games, resources and activities which stimulate their natural curiosity and imagination. Children are safe and secure in this provision where they are learning how to use tools and equipment safely. They are adopting healthy habits, choosing fruit for their snack and learning about eating fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Children have regular access to outdoor play either in the enclosed garden or in local parks. They visit farms and play areas, developing

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and outcomes for children

their understanding of the world around them. They are learning how to be gentle with pets and that they need to cleanse their hands afterwards because of germs.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language and communication is actively promoted. They are developing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their social skills as they learn to share and take turns. They are encouraged to talk and the childminder really listens to what the children are saying, expanding their vocabulary and developing good communication.

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and outcomes for children

Children see familiar words displayed around the home and regularly make their own marks with a selection of tools and materials, for example, paint. They enjoy sharing story books with the childminder and looking at reference books and maps of the world. They learn about the similarities and differences between themselves, their friends and the wider community, as well as, celebrating festivals from around the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to think critically as the childminder asks them appropriate questions about what they are doing and what may happen next. They are forming a good understanding of problem solving and numeracy, they recognise shapes very well and are able to complete challenging activities. Children's mathematical thinking is promoted as an integral part of all activities, such as, counting cars, recognising shapes, colours and familiar numerals. Children are very well supported and are encouraged to try to do as much independently as they can with full support of the childminder. This ensures that all children make good progress towards the early learning goals based on their individual starting points and abilities. 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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