Stow Bridge County Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 129611 Inspection date 05/10/2011 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 registered in August 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult children and the property is situated in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. It is close to shops, parks and schools. All areas are included in the registration although, the ground floor is mainly used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are situated on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family has a tropical fish tank and two dags as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time with no more than three children in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for five children, three of whom are in the early years age range.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Most aspects of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage are met by a childminder who has a satisfactory knowledge of the framework. Children are safeguarded and their health and welfare are, overall, protected with most required documentation in place although, the childminder has allowed her public liability insurance to expire. She works closely with parents to provide an inclusive environment where children's individual needs are met. Children are provided with a varied range of play experiences although processes for observing and assessing children are still in the early stages of development. Processes, such as self- evaluation, for monitoring the setting to ensure continuous improvement have not yet been implemented.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure public liability insurance is maintained (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 14/10/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further children's observation and assessment records to ensure they link with the Early Years Foundation Stage and use these more effectively to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  implement a quality improvement process, such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend practice and to ensure continuous improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The environment in which children are cared for is safe and children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder is familiar with the correct child protection procedures to follow should she have a concern and plans to complete a safeguarding children course in the near future. She ensures all household members have background checks undertaken. The childminder is conscious of safety and has taken suitable measures to protect children. Written risk assessments identify potential hazards and show how potential risks are minimised to keep children safe and on-going visual assessments ensures the environment remains safe. Children's records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting are generally in place although the childminder has overlooked maintaining current public liability insurance which potentially limits the safe and effecient management of children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has many years experience caring for children and has a secure knowledge of child development. She understands the need to keep up-to-date with current childcare practices and she does this through regularly meeting with other childminder's, sharing ideas and knowledge. She has recently attended a training course and updated her first aid knowledge. The childminder is generally aware of her key strengths and the areas requiring further development but has no system in place, such as, self-evaluation to monitor the quality of the provision.

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the early years provision

The environment promotes children's well-being with some resources accessible and developmentally appropriate for children's needs. The daily routine is planned to ensure all children are fully included. The childminder welcomes the children in her care and their parents into her home and understands the importance of working closely with parents to provide an inclusive environment. Effective settling- in procedures which are designed to meet the needs of the individual child ensure children quickly feel at home in the childminding environment. Parents are kept informed about their children's care and daily achievements, as information is verbally exchanged on a daily basis. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness to liaising with other early years settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote the integration of care and education and has developed informal links with the local school and nursery to ensure continuity

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and outcomes for children

Children have an enjoyable time in the childminder's care and participate in a range of activities and play experiences which overall cover the six areas of learning. Simple observation and assessment systems are in the early stages of development and are not yet effectively used when planning future activities and play experiences to ensure children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Children's interests are taken into account and there is a mixture of adult- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 led and child-initiated play with activities informally planned to meet children's individual developmental needs. Children's independence is promoted and they are praised by the childminder when they help to tidy away toys. Children can make some independent choices in their play with the environment organised so that some resources are easily accessible and children are confident in asking the

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and outcomes for children

childminder for favourite toys they would like to play with.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports children in their play and engages them in conversation. Regular story times also supports children's early communication skills and children enjoy listening to stories and looking at books. They learn about colours and numbers as they identify items in books with the childminder and enjoy counting how many animals they can see. They are developing confidence at expressing themselves creatively and participate in a variety of art and craft activities, such as, painting, drawing or play dough. Children enjoy making sponge painting pictures or using tissue paper to decorate cards. Children learn about the environment and local community through outings and walks and regular visits to toddlers groups further promotes children's learning and develops their social skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has strategies in place to promote children's health with effective hygiene practices which are followed to minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder supports children and helps them to learn about simple hygiene practices through their daily routine, such as, discussing the reasons for washing hands before eating and reminding children to flush the toilet and wash their hands after visiting the bathroom. The childminder ensures children receive a healthy, balanced diet with their dietary requirements, which are discussed with parents. Children are beginning to learn about the benefits of healthy eating as they talk about fruit and vegetables being good for their body. They participate in a range of activities which contributes to their good health and physical fitness. They go for walks and visit children's parks where they have opportunities to run or climb. At toddler groups children enjoy participating in music and movement

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and outcomes for children

sessions and are learning that exercise can be fun.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is protected and children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. At home they are learning how to stay safe through their play and when out walking they learn about road safety and are aware of the need to hold the childminder's hand or the buggy to stay safe. Behaviour is dealt with in a positive manner with clear boundaries set which are consistent and appropriate to the individual child's level of understanding. Positive relationships between the childminder and children enable children to feel secure and regular praise and encouragement promote children's sense of achievement. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Insurance). 14/10/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Insurance). 14/10/2011

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