Bilston Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130305 Inspection date 25/05/2011 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 1989. She lives with her husband on the outskirts of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The family have no pets and it is a non-smoking household.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She 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 group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is very involved in local childminder support networks and has achieved the Herts Quality Standard accreditation twice.

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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 childminder has a exemplary understanding of how children learn and every opportunity is taken to extend and promote the children's welfare, learning and development. Children take part in a wide range of interesting and well-resourced experiences throughout the week. The childminder is exceptionally well organised. She has an in-depth knowledge of the children's backgrounds and treats all children and their families with respect. The partnerships with parents and local early years services are a key strength and are significant in making sure the needs of children are recognised and met in full. A safe, stimulating and child- friendly environment is well maintained with very effective documents and records. A comprehensive evaluation process ensures continued improvements and that outcomes for all children continue to be of a very high standard.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop strategies to enable parents to further contribute to their children's learning and development record. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding all children. She clearly understands the signs of abuse and has effective procedures to enable her to refer any concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She has consistently attended safeguarding since becoming registered and so has maintained a very good knowledge of the local authority procedures that are in place to protect children. She ensures parents are fully aware of her commitment to child protection, with clear procedures readily available. Relevant checks have been carried out on all adults in the household. Children's safety is of a very high priority; their security and well-being are consistently monitored with effective risk assessments to ensure all areas used by the children are safe and well maintained. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for walks in the local community, outings and events. Very thorough and up-to-date information on the

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the early years provision

children's individual needs and personal care is maintained through well-organised use of records and documents.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children's individual characters exceptionally well. Relationships are very strong at all levels. Young children are aware that their actions have an impact on others and are beginning to take responsibility for their own play space. Their behaviour is exemplary because the childminder has clear boundaries and she explains clearly to the children what is expected of them. Positive behaviour is highly praised and children's kindness and helpfulness is acknowledged. Children have a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. When walking to the nearby nursery, they wait for instructions from the childminder. They hold hands and help with the decision to cross the road. They are learning simple rules that will keep them safe in the future.

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the early years provision

Resources are readily available and of exceptionally good quality. Children are encouraged to explore and play freely around the home. They move confidently with good support from their carer who adapts and extends their play ideas. The childminder promotes an inclusive setting with resources, books and events in the community that extend children's understanding of the wider world. Children are cooperative and helpful with day-to-day routines. They enjoy putting toys away and setting out the small table for snack time. The childminder has an extensive range of toys and resources in storage. All the containers are labelled with words and a picture so all children can see what is available for them. Laminated photographs are used with non-verbal children to show them what is available and so gives them excellent opportunities for self-selection and choice even if they are not able to access the toys directly. There are many resources that are suitable for

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the early years provision

the older range of children that are cared for.

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the early years provision

Exceptionally good relationships are well established with all families. Previously cared for families return to her care, and siblings and new babies are cared for, providing a consistent service for many families. The childminder has an instinctive understanding of the children's different needs which is based on her experience and the communication with parents and the children themselves. Parent questionnaires are used to review her practice and ensure parents are involved in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their children's care and learning. Any suggestions are actively taken on board to develop and enhance the care that is provided. The childminder has attended an exceptional amount of training since becoming registered. She has an in-depth knowledge of how to support children and families and develop and extend children's play and learning opportunities to a very high level. Having been

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the early years provision

accredited with the Herts Quality Standard she has supported local childminders through a buddy system and has been involved in both the county and regional organisation of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with other local early years providers. Over the many years she has been childminding, she has established excellent relationships with the local nurseries. This enables her to share her knowledge of the children who are moving on to a new setting to ensure a smooth transition for both the children and their families. The childminder links ideas and activities that the children have enjoyed in other early years settings and school to the opportunities she provides in her home. She supports children of all ages in promoting their interests and future learning. The childminder does not currently care for children who have special needs and/or disabilities. However, she fully

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the early years provision

understands the importance of working closely with outside agencies to ensure all children's needs are effectively met.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an extremely clear sense of purpose about what she wants to provide for the children in her care. She uses the support services and training opportunities provided by the NCMA and the Surestart Children's Centre to promote and extend her own professional development and outcomes for all children. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been met in full. She uses the Ofsted self-evaluation process to consistently review her practice. This clearly shows there is strong evidence for continual improvement as she acknowledges areas to be developed and she can reflect on the many aspects of her provision that are of an exceptionally high standard.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and content in the childminder's care. They all play a dynamic role in their own learning and whenever possible their ideas are extended by their childminder. They respond to challenge with great enthusiasm. When playing with the magnetic maze they show great dexterity and delight as they move the beads into the correct shapes and colours. The children praise each other and wait to take turns. Children are confident; they can communicate their needs to their carer as well as chat amongst themselves at the lunch table, talking about food they enjoy and how big they will grow if they eat their dinner. The high quality adult interacting and exemplary organisation of routines that take into account the very different needs of the children cared for help all children to gain an exceptionally strong sense of security and well-being. Their sense of self- esteem is strongly promoted, with their individual needs being met to a very high

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and outcomes for children

standard. The large 'who is here today' display with the children's names and photographs promotes conversation and their sense of belonging. Children frequently talk about previous experiences and explain the day's routine, which will include collecting other children from nursery. All children and their family This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 backgrounds are valued. Children engage in a wide and interesting range of activities and experiences which help them to value diversity and extend their understanding of the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

All children show an exceptional understanding for the importance of following good hygiene procedures. They prompt the childminder to wash hands as they come in from playing in the garden and before having their lunch. The routine is exceptionally well managed, with the children carefully taking turns, talking about washing off the germs and having individual towels in the bathroom to support their individual care needs. The nappy change process is well managed, with children being very cooperative and helpful. They can get their own bags and help with nappies and blankets for sleep time.

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and outcomes for children

Children have many opportunities through the week for physical play. They take part in sporting, climbing and balancing games with age-appropriate equipment in the garden. Regular visits to the local aquadrome and park extend and develop their understanding of the natural world. Children talk excitably about their experiences at the park, feeding the ducks and looking for insects and special plants. Their learning is extended to an exceptional level with the use of laminated pictures. These are used to show the many different aspects of the lake side environment, such as the plants and how the eggs laid by the ducks and swans grow. They also develop the children's interests in the insects and wildlife they see on a regular basis. Children are very involved in growing the vegetables and fruit in the garden. They are taken most days to water the seedlings and see how the tomatoes and bean plants are progressing. They can see the small pears and

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and outcomes for children

apples that are developing and link these with play foods in their imaginative play and with the fruit offered at snack time. The childminder uses her garden as an extension of her home, with resources and planned activities linked to everyday activities and the children's interests. Children greatly enjoyed digging in clean, fresh and organic garden compost, looking for animals that had been hidden. They found lots of ducks and linked these with their experiences at the lake. Children's learning is extended and progressed with everyday experiences, along with well- planned and spontaneous play.

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and outcomes for children

The observations in the children's learning journeys show they are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals. Photographs show they enjoy a wide range of experiences, both in the home and out in the community. There are a good mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities that promote all areas of the children's learning to a high level. The children's starting points are used effectively to enable the childminder to plan for activities appropriate to the ages and stages of development. Parents are encouraged to share their comments of their children's achievements throughout the learning journey. However, the childminder does not have a system in place to share with parents the plans that she has for the forthcoming weeks and how they can support their children's interests at home and link experiences to the childminder's themes and planned activities. Children have developed trusting relationships with the childminder and

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and outcomes for children

the other children in the household. Their self-esteem is fully promoted in all aspects of their daily routines. Children are learning skills that will prepare them for new experiences and extend and develop their future learning. 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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