Greybrooks School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129709 Inspection date 21/03/2011 Inspector Liz Grocott

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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 1995 and lives with her husband and their two children aged 23 and 20 years in the Tring area of Hertfordshire. The premises are within easy reach of public transport, shops, parks, schools and community resources. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor and the bedrooms on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area to the rear of the property. Contingency plans are in place to call on another registered childminder in the event of an emergency or sickness.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, and is currently minding four children on a full and part-time basis of whom two are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are taken to and collected from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder has achieved a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development. She is also a member of a local childminding group and receives support from the local authority early years team.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The Early Years Foundation Stage has been very effectively implemented, meeting children's individual needs completely. Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals as the enthusiastic childminder knows them well and plans interesting and varied activities for them. Children are encouraged to be involved and motivated in a broad range of activities. The childminder is highly committed to her role and drives improvement through training. Reflecting on her practice has resulted in actions which are well-targeted to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing a system to ensure that all learning areas are observed on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder prioritises children's welfare and has a thorough knowledge and understanding of safeguarding them. She keeps her knowledge up-to-date by refreshing her training regularly and ensuring her policies and procedures are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inline with current legislation. Parents are provided with a copy of the safeguarding policy, so they are in no doubt about the childminder's responsibilities in protecting their children. All adults in the home have had a Criminal Records Bureau check to ensure they are suitable to be around children. Children are involved in learning about how to keep themselves safe. They draw pictures to illustrate the fire evacuation procedure and practise getting out of the house quickly when the childminder blows the whistle. This prepares them should the need to evacuate the home ever arise. A comprehensive risk assessment identifies how potential hazards

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the early years provision

have been identified and minimised in the home and on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an extremely positive attitude towards her role and uses training to continually improve her knowledge and skills. Recent training includes 'Every child a talker', 'What is autism?', 'Early support awareness' and 'Diversity'. The childminder chooses specific courses to assist in her work with the children. Since her last inspection, she has undertaken a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development to drive improvement in her service. Reflecting regularly on what she does has enabled her to identify areas she wishes to develop. These include looking at her out of school care provision for older children. Children have been included in this process by filling out a simple questionnaire. This has raised their self-esteem and shown that their views are highly valued by the childminder. Children's understanding about others in the wider world is greatly enhanced through topics, resources and craft activities. The

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the early years provision

childminder strives for and succeeds in including all children in all she does. The dedicated playroom is exceptionally well-resourced with clearly labelled low level storage. This provides children with the ability to make choices about what they play with and enables them to put toys back when they have finished.

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the early years provision

Parents are extremely involved in their child's learning. The childminder gives daily reports about their child's day, activities and achievements. There is a wealth of information on display about the Early Years Foundation Stage and how the childminder delivers the learning to children through play. Learning journeys further illustrate their child's progress across all the learning areas and they are regularly asked for feedback. Parents comment that viewing the learning journey is invaluable in helping them to develop play with children at home over the weekends. Of the service provided parents say, they appreciate the home cooked balanced diet children are provided with, the clean, homely relaxed surroundings, the safe stimulating environment and the extremely reliable childminder who is always approachable and honest. The childminder ensures she works in partnership with others to promote the best outcomes for children. This includes

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the early years provision

speech therapists, other childminders who provide emergency cover and local schools and pre-schools.

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and outcomes for children

The enthusiastic and dedicated childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Coupled with her outstanding knowledge of the children in her care means she provides a tailor made programme of activities that follow each child's interests and learning needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Regular observation and assessment allows the childminder to carefully plan the next steps for each child. She can easily identify gaps or weaknesses in their learning and development and if needed obtain any necessary early intervention from other agencies. Children demonstrate close attachment to the childminder through their behaviour. They ask for help in setting up games, go to her for a cuddle when they are upset or tired or ask for food when they are hungry. They delight in dancing along with the musical flower, using instruments, such as, a

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and outcomes for children

guitar as their creativity develops. Children enjoy marble painting, learning about the different colours as they choose paint. They make sticker pictures to take home, making choices about the favourite characters they stick on. The childminder offers praise for their achievements at all times and seeing their work displayed on her walls gives them a sense of belonging and that their work is valued.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses everyday routines to teach children about number. They count the grapes at snack time and the pieces of apple, as with help they use the slicer. Language development is encouraged as the children repeat familiar phrases after the childminder. For example, ready, steady go! New words, such as, wrist and ankle are introduced to their vocabulary as they play a matching game. They discuss the apple being 'sour' when children make funny faces as they taste it. Children are provided with a variety of tools for making marks, for instance, pencils, crayons, felt pens and chalk. They use these to practise early writing skills. Problem solving is also practised regularly as children play games that involve quick thinking and memory. They regularly cook with the childminder weighing ingredients to make cakes and pizza and also help in making their own sandwiches for lunch. The childminder is very keen on educating children to value everyone.

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and outcomes for children

They are encouraged to learn about others in society. They celebrate festivals, such as, St. George's Day and Valentine's Day when they learn to thread, making heart shaped cards. They also celebrate Chinese New Year when they bake rabbit biscuits to celebrate the year of the rabbit, colour rabbit pictures and make rabbit gift bags. This gives them an insight into the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children's interest in food and healthy lifestyles. She takes them to the local shops to choose colourful fruit and vegetables. They are encouraged to make healthy choices at snack and mealtimes. Sticker charts are used to promote healthy choices. Foods offered include soups, wraps, omelettes and chilli. At snack time children choose from a selection of grapes, apples and raisins. The childminder ensures they have access to fresh air each day. They are encouraged to walk to and from schools and use the apparatus in her garden as well as the local parks. This develops their large muscle groups as they climb up slides, clamber over climbing frames and balance on sea-saws and bikes. They often move to music and use a computer programme to play sports, such as, bowling. The childminder's home has pictorial reminders about good hygiene, for instance, in the bathroom, reminders of how to hand wash and flush the toilet.

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and outcomes for children

Children are involved in setting house rules and firm boundaries consistently applied by the childminder produces well-behaved 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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