The Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 118799 Inspection date 09/11/2011 Inspector Marilyn Peacock

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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 in a three bedroom, mid terrace property in Romford, in the London borough of Havering. The home is within walking distance of local shops, Romford shopping centre and local infant and junior schools. The childminder lives with her husband and three children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently has six children on roll under the age of five years most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also takes children to and collects children from the local school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is an active member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 cared for in a friendly, welcoming environment in which their welfare, learning and development needs are met well. Overall, the childminder works closely with parents to meet children's individual needs. A broad range of interesting activities which are supported by exciting resources are helping children to make clear progress across all areas of learning. The childminder recognises the need for continuous improvement to enhance the quality of the provision and can successfully identify areas for further development. However her formal systems for self-evaluation do not currently include the views of parents and children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for reflective practice and self-evaluation to improve the quality of provision for all children, with particular regard to seeking the views of parents and children  develop further systems to enable parents to contribute to their child's learning and development record.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and issues and this helps her to protect children.. She takes effective steps to minimise risks to children following comprehensive risk assessments. These help to ensure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that children can move around the childminder's home in safety. Detailed risk assessments for outings means children are as safe as possible at all times when away from the childminder's house.

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the early years provision

Parents are well informed of the policies and procedures which guide the childminder's practice. She keeps all the required documentation, such as seeking emergency medical advice, accident records and travel consents, which helps her to ensure that children's individual welfare needs are met successfully. Overall, parents are involved fully in their children's learning. The childminder maintains attractive profile books for each child and keeps parents well-informed about their children's achievements and well-being. A wealth of photographs, some of which are taken in sequence, clearly show the children's development. This helps to build a clear picture of their achievements and capabilities. Parents enjoy looking at the profile books but their comments and observations of their child's learning when at home are not included. This means that they are not fully involved in contributing to these records and to the childminder's knowledge of what children learn at

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and is able to plan and provide a varied range of resources and activities which promote their progress as they play. She is committed to promoting inclusive practice. She organises her resources so that children can make safe and independent choices in their play. Resources that promote positive images are readily available to the children. The childminder is committed to helping children learn about equality and diversity through discussions about similarities and differences as they play and by sharing traditional days and festivals.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement. She is able to reflect on her practice to identify strengths as well as areas that she could improve. However, at present her self-evaluation systems do not formally include the views of children and parents. The childminder works in partnership with others who provide care for children. For example, information is exchanged with the local preschool to help ensure that children's welfare and learning continues to be effectively supported.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They are happy, comfortable and well-supported by the childminder. They show growing confidence, independence and self-esteem because the childminder supports them in their play. They behave well. The childminder keeps them well-occupied and they respond well to firm but fair guidance on behaviour. The childminder knows the children well and undertakes observational assessments to identify their achievements. She is aware of the next steps that they need to take to make progress. For example, she knows how to develop activities further to maintain the interest of individual children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are learning to keep themselves safe because they receive consistent messages on safety. The childminder talks to them about crossing the road safely. The children work with her to make replica traffic lights using boxes and plastic

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and outcomes for children

tops. They then use these to help them learn how to cross the road safety. Simple house rules ensure all children understand how to stay safe in the childminder's home. Children learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle as they access the garden to enjoy physical play. They understand the importance of rest to regain their energy and know they need to wear appropriate clothes to protect them from weather. Younger children know when they are getting tired and take their favourite toy with them for a cuddle on the childminder's lap before being laid down to rest in their pram. Children's understanding of healthy eating is promoted through healthy snacks and discussion as they eat their meals. Children tell the childminder how delicious their toast is at snack time. When they get hungry between meals they are encouraged to have a drink and sit down with an organic biscuit.

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and outcomes for children

Children grow plants on the patio and this helps them to learn about the life cycle of plants and the changing seasons. Children of all ages enjoy participating in creative activities, such as painting and sticking. They enjoy role- play, dressing up as their favourite characters. They dance together, laughing as they drop to their knees. Children are allowed to watch television for a short time each day and they are beginning to use signing to communicate after watching people use it in one programme. Large alphabet posters are used to help children start to sound out letters. Children are starting to recognise significant letters such as the first letter in their name and those of their friend's names. When the older children arrive back after school the younger ones sit with them to play board games and are staring to learn how to play games with rules and to take turns. 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: 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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