Teagues Bridge Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129791 Inspection date 22/03/2011 Inspector Sue Riley

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and one teenage child, in Bushey, Hertfordshire. There are facilities close by such as parks, schools and shops. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children, of whom, four are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are two steps up to the home. The family has two rabbits as pets which are kept outside in a secure run. The childminder goes to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and childminder support group. The childminder received the Hertfordshire Quality Standards Award in December 2006.

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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 are safe, secure and cared for in a clean and comfortable home. A child- friendly environment is created to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with the childminder. Children show good levels of self-esteem because the childminder gets to know them well and values them as individuals. The childminder has developed a good close working relationship with parents, which helps her to understand children's individual needs and to achieve a consistent approach to the children's care. Most aspects of children's welfare are suitably promoted which means that children are fully safeguarded. The childminder is starting to use the self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement and to ensure that the provision for children is continually improving.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and update policies and procedures to reflect current guidance with reference to the complaints and safeguarding procedures  develop further the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify current strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children  improve the observations and assessments to plan more effectively for children's next steps in all areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder understands her role to protect them from harm. The childminder has a sound knowledge of safeguarding issues. She has a written detailed statement of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child. Parents are reassured because the childminder provides information about how she is registered, about vetting arrangements for herself and other household members over 16, and about her experience and training. Records of risk assessments are in place for all areas of the home used for childminding purposes and the childminder makes regular checks to identify and minimise any hazards. Due attention is given to risk assessing outings with the children. Effective safety measures are in place with regard to the premises. The door to the house is kept locked to prevent unwanted visitors from entering the premises, ensuring children are safe. The childminder effectively maintains her records. A

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the early years provision

range of policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. However, some of these have not been updated to reflect current guidance. Confidentiality is maintained and documents are kept secure and are well organised.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates ambition, vision and drive to develop the provision further. She is starting to develop a system of self-evaluation and is beginning to reflect on her practice, identifying her strengths and areas for development to maintain continuous improvement within her service. The childminder organises the environment effectively to ensure children have suitable areas for play and rest. A wide range of resources are readily available for the children and they are able to make their own choices about what they would like to do and play with. The childminder ensures she can supervise the children at all times.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare needs are met and they achieve as well as they can as the childminder adapts activities to ensure they can all participate. The childminder has systems in place to monitor children's progress in relation to their starting points. Observations are ongoing and information is starting to be used to plan for the further learning for children taking into account their abilities, likes and dislikes. However, the childminder does not assess the child's learning effectively against the observations so the next steps are not always being correctly identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops working partnerships with other providers involved in the care of the minded children. She develops positive relationships with parents and children and this contributes to inclusion, meeting their needs consistently and providing continuity of care. Parents express their approval of the care their children receive through discussions, thank you cards and questionnaires. At the start of the placement the parents are provided with information which includes all the childminder's policies and procedures. This ensures parents are fully aware of the childminder's practice. Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through the daily discussions, records and the sharing of their development files. The childminder treats all children equally, but is very aware of their individual needs and levels of understanding. She talks to parents to ensure she has a sound This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

knowledge of each child's background and needs. The childminder makes the most of diversity to help children understand the society they live in.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a suitable knowledge of the learning and development and welfare requirements to promote children's learning and care. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play and how they develop. The indoor environment is set up for children's learning with lots of free choice of activities from a wide range of resources. The childminder is very warm and welcoming to the children, thus providing a safe emotional environment where children feel safe and secure. She uses the observations, assessments and learning journals for individual children to inform the planning for the weekly and monthly activities. This ensures that children's learning and care is tailored to their individual needs and interests and complements their learning experiences at the other provisions in which they attend. The childminder recognises that often children's play deviates from the planning as they initiate play for themselves, she

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and outcomes for children

encourages this at all times and will adapt her planning accordingly and always keep in mind the children current interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel good about themselves because the childminder offers frequent positive support, praise and encouragement. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem. Children are beginning to understand boundaries, rules and limitations and to understand why they exist. They are learning to use their manners and are encouraged to share and take turns. Children follow house rules and show a strong sense of security and feel safe within the setting. They learn about dangers and how to keep themselves safe, routinely taking part in fire evacuation practices, learning about river and road safety when out and about in the community.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health very well by taking a range of positive steps to encourage healthy eating and to help them understand the importance of regular exercise. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of healthy eating and provides children with a balanced menu throughout the day and week. Meal times are social occasions where children benefit and learn good social skills and appropriate table manners. Their independence is promoted as they help themselves to drinks as they become thirsty. Children are developing a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, they soon become aware of the hand-washing routines as they follow the appropriate practices. They have their own individual towels to prevent the risk of cross infection. Children are encouraged to play outside, taken for walks or visit the local parks so they feel the benefits of fresh air and exercise.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very confident and demonstrate good levels of concentration. They enjoy completing their sticky picture for Mother's Day and the childminder gently checks out their understanding of the colours as she asks the children about the different colours they are using. As children play hide and seek they get very excited and learn about spacial awareness as they squeeze into small spaces and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 giggle as the childminder looks for them. Children's letter recognition is good as they look for and find the magnetic letters that they recognise on the fridge. They know the sound of the letter as well as the name. As children play with the interactive toys they are learning the basic skills around the exploration of technology. As they play they demonstrate good imagination as they take on the role of the shop keeper and play with the interactive shopping till.

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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 1 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 1 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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