The Willian School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129160 Inspection date 02/11/2011 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 1996. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Access to the premises is via two steps to the front door. The childminder uses the whole of the house, including the garden for childminding. 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 also registered to care for children over five years to 11 years. There are currently five children in the early years age group attending at different times. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has three pet dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 an excellent, detailed knowledge and understanding of each child's individual needs through interaction, observation and very good links with parents. Children's safety and security are a priority, enabling them to adopt good practices to safely explore the exciting resources within this setting. The excellent provision and evaluation of exciting activities enables children of all ages to make excellent progress whilst having fun. Policies and procedures are in written form, and most reflect the outstanding practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensuring that any written policies and procedures and documentation clearly reflect actual practice and contain current contact information about the regulator

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training and is fully aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. She has all the necessary information to be able to take the appropriate action if necessary and has a clear and detailed understanding of her responsibilities. This ensures that all children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect and are cared This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for in a safe and secure environment. All adults working or living in the home have been checked to ensure that they are suitable to be in contact with children. She has secure systems in place to ensure that children are safe. A detailed risk assessment has been carried out on all parts of the property and any trips or outings. The childminder has produced a basic written set of policies, documentation and records, however, these do not accurately reflect her actual

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the early years provision

The childminder has conducted a thorough self-evaluation of her setting, which includes actively seeking the views of the parents and the children and therefore, the process of self-evaluation has a positive impact on the outstanding outcomes for all children attending. Planning learning around themes, festivals and childrens interests ensures that all children are fully included. Colour coding children's individual towels, cups and plates gives every child a sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established a positive working relationship with all groups of parents and carers, arranging children to be picked up from schools and other settings as required. She has well established links with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers' which creates a coherence of learning and development across different settings, including children's experiences at home. Parents, carers and children are heavily involved in decision making as the childminder values their input and ideas.

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and outcomes for children

A wide range of stimulating resources are of high quality and are very well used to fully support children's learning. The environment is exciting, interesting and fully conductive to learning. Bright wall displays and an exciting den invite children into the playroom. All toys and resources are safe and suitable, and all within reach if the children. All areas and outings are fully risk assessed to allow children to explore and experiment within a safe and secure environment. They thrive in this highly stimulating and welcoming environment. The excellent organisation of the activities provided reflects rich, varied and imaginative experiences that meet the needs of all ages and abilities very well. Children are fully integrated as they take on age-appropriate responsibility. For example, children recognise the colour coding which individualises their place in the childminder's home, they instantly

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and outcomes for children

recognise which cup, towel or plate belongs to which child. Older children lay the corresponding colour plate out for snack or dinner time as they recognise which children are there that particular day. Their excellent progress is regularly recorded and assessed. Photographs capture milestones and links to each child's steps towards the early learning goals, based on their starting points. The information gained, is well used to form future planning. The childminder has a detailed knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements. This is reflected in the excellent range of developmentally appropriate activities that she provides.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident with the childminder and are beginning to find their voice and discover new words. The childminder notes when they develop new This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 vocabulary and she encourages them to communicate. She talks to them sensitively to encourage their language development, using books and activities well. Children respond with affection towards the childminder, babies and toddlers 'chat and coo' as the childminder responds to them. Children develop manipulative skills as they learn to make marks and model with various craft activities. They are creative and experiment using different media, such as sand, play dough or paint. Their confidence and sense of belonging is enhanced as the childminder changes the craft time as requested by the children. Children respond with positive behaviour as they take an active role in the choice of activities, and are supported

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and outcomes for children

by the childminder's enthusiasm. They learn about the world around them through growing vegetables in the garden and through interaction with the childminder's small and friendly dogs. They dress up and put on performances, using the lounge to sing along and dance or the decking area to perform with their friends. They learn to play together and socialise and the childminder talks to them about sharing resources and taking turns. Children display very good independence skills as they are able to make choices and explore their environment independently.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted as they go out for walks and have the opportunities for physical play in the garden or local play areas and get fresh air and exercise. Very good hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection. The childminder incorporates topics on health and hand washing so that children learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. Activities, such as, learning to brush their teeth enable children's independence and make them aware of taking care of themselves. Children have established warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and so feel safe and secure in the setting. They display high levels of confidence and self-esteem which are the skills that will support them in their future. 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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