Collierley Nursery and Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 149616 Inspection date 09/03/2011 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and one child aged 14 in Hitchin, Herts, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding and children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary 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 has a good knowledge of each child's individual needs and their specific interests. She uses this knowledge and her good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, to provide a varied range of activities and opportunities. This helps children to progress in their learning and development. The childminder has developed friendly relationships with parents, carers and local agencies, such as the local pre-school. This enables the promotion of regular communication and the sharing of information which helps to provide children with consistent care. The childminder has taken steps to look at her strengths and areas for improvement through self-evaluation procedures. This enables her to be responsive to the needs of the children and families using her setting.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the areas of learning are delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and that planning incorporates children's individual next steps.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. She has previously completed safeguarding training and verbally demonstrates an understanding of what to do if she were to identify a child in her care, who may be at risk and therefore, take the appropriate action if required. Children are building up a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of how to keep themselves, and others, safe as they learn about keeping safe whilst out walking with the childminder. For example, they talk about road safety and learn how to cross roads carefully. Younger children use reigns and are secured in push chairs whilst older children are encouraged to have a 'walking buddy' so that they can support and encourage each other as well as look out for each other when adhering to the childminder's boundaries. The childminder

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the early years provision

carries out thorough risk assessments inside the home. These are clear and show where risks are identified and any action taken. Risk assessments are also carried out for each type of outing that children take part in. Children also take part in the emergency evacuation drill which is practised with children on a regular basis, further protecting their safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder communicates effectively with parents and carers to ensure that she is fully aware of and understands each child's background and particular individual needs, therefore, enabling her to provide an inclusive service for all children and their families. Parents are fully involved in the childminding setting as they are provided with daily information about the setting. For example, the childminder spends time talking with all parents, about their child's day. Children benefit from the friendly relationships built between the childminder and their parents, enabling their achievements and progress to be easily shared. Parents are happy with the care their children receive and speak well of the childminder in references. The childminder liaises with external agencies, if and when required, to support children in their learning and development. This ensures that each child is offered the support they require and that a consistent approach is promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses praise and encouragement to build on children's self-esteem and confidence and treats all children with respect. Each and every child is welcomed into the childminder's home and all are encouraged to join in, whatever their age or ability, because the childminder adapts activities to suit the needs of all, promoting inclusion. Resources are age and stage appropriate for the children attending and they are accessible for children to make choices about their play. The childminder's procedures for self-evaluation are developed. For example, she has completed a self-evaluation document and given questionnaires to parents in order to seek parental feedback so that changes can be made, where necessary. Therefore, the childminder is monitoring her setting in order to improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making effective progress in their learning and development. They are fully encouraged and supported because the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements procedures for observing and assessing children on a regular basis and is able to demonstrate next steps, in their learning. However, children's next steps are not incorporated in to the planning and the planning of activities is not always based on the six areas of learning; therefore, children's individual development is not fully promoted. The childminder encourages children to learn about the wider world through the various experiences she provides. For example, children visit different churches in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the local community and through resources, such as puzzles, they learn about positive images around them. They learn about and celebrate different festivals, to

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and outcomes for children

extend their learning. For example, children tried some food tasting as they celebrated Chinese New Year recently. Children's behaviour is generally good and they demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently play alone, together or with the childminder. They are aware of the boundaries because of the ongoing gentle explanations given to them by the childminder, promoting their feelings of security and they show that they are settled and happy in their surroundings, for example, they sit with and cuddle the childminder as they wake from a sleep.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop their problem solving skills through everyday activities, such as, when they enjoy building with large construction resources. Children try to build their towers bigger and count the bricks together with the childminder to see how tall they can build theirs. Another example is where one child is playing with the dolls and dolls resources. She wants a bag to put the dolls potty in, having searched through lots of different bags, which are 'too small' she finds one that is just 'big enough'. Children of all ages and stages are included in the activities offered because the childminder ensures that these can be adapted to suit individual children, promoting inclusion. For example, as children create their own version of a talent television programme the childminder supports and encourages them all to sing whilst judging them equally. She tells them how they are all fantastic and this promotes their confidence and self-

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and outcomes for children

esteem. Children's skills in communication, language and literacy are clearly developing through daily opportunities for them to be listened to, for example, younger children develop their talking skills. The childminder encourages their new words and praises them effectively.

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and outcomes for children

Opportunities to develop skills for the future are encouraged through the provision of 'small world' toys, dressing up clothes and the wide range of role play resources which fully encourage and promote children's imaginations. Children's physical development is promoted as they are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities, such as visiting local toddler groups and parks where they develop their physical skills. The childminder offers activities which are interesting and enjoyable for children to take part in. Children eat meals prepared by their parents and warmed up appropriately by the childminder and all snacks provided by the childminder are counted as part of children's five-a-day fruit and vegetable portions. Children's understanding of good health and hygiene practices are effectively promoted. For example, they are reminded to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and use individual flannels to avoid cross-infection.

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and outcomes for children

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: 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

 implement a written statement of procedures, to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (also applies to the voluntary part of the childcare register. (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 23/03/2011

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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 compulsory part of the childcare register (arrangements for safeguarding children). 23/03/2011

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