Westmore Gillian

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300078 Inspection date 10/10/2008 Inspector Kim Wailling

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Type of setting Childminder 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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. 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 2005 and lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 12 and eight years in London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outside play. The premise offers level access from the road.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children on the Early Years register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age range. She operates on five days a week for 52 weeks of the year. The family has a dog and three guinea pigs.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has built on the good practice noted at the last inspection and in nearly all areas now provides an outstanding service to children in the early years age group. Children's individual needs are known and the childminder works fully in partnership with parents and partially with other providers, such as playgroup and nursery staff, to ensure that these are continuously met. Comprehensive records, policies and procedures are in place which supports the childminder in safeguarding children and in meeting children's individual developmental needs. The childminder has taken a great deal of care to organise her home to allow all children to develop their independence skills and participate safely in activities. The childminder's system of self-evaluation gives her an appropriate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of her service which has been heighten by her successful completion of an advanced childcare qualification.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend systems that maintain a regular two-way flow of information with providers (for example, where that childminder regularly collects the child from nursery).

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provision

The childminder has organised her home so that children can choose from an exceptionally wide range of toys and outdoor equipment which are of high quality, attractive and age-appropriate. Children settle quickly into the childminder's care and are helped to develop confidence and independence skills. Excellent assessment and planning systems help children make rapid progress in all areas of their development towards the early learning goals. All records, policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures that are designed to safeguard children and protect them from harm are comprehensive and regularly updated. The childminder is systematically developing the way she self-evaluates her practice and is proactive in seeking help from others to help her.

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provision

Amongst the many outstanding aspects of the provision is the way that the childminder has established a strong relationship with parents. Information is gained verbally, by sharing the children's assessment records and by the use of questionnaires. This supports a productive partnership so all can work in the children's best interests. Some parents have written references which describe the high level of attention that their children have received whilst in the childminder's care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a welcoming family home and have exclusive use of a designated playroom. All toys, resources, posters and pieces of art work are attractively displayed which creates an exciting learning environment for children of all ages. Children can choose from a wide range of toys and outdoor equipment which are safely stored in low-level units. Story bags and role play resources in particular have been carefully chosen and represent positive images of diversity. These resources are made available everyday and are supplemented by a resources borrowed from the local toy library.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are acknowledged as being active learners. They are helped to make outstanding progress in all areas of their learning and development as the childminder provides an excellent range of planned, purposeful play experiences. There is a very good balance of creative adult-led which are planned to offer enjoyable challenges to children. As a result, children are helped gain new skills and move forward in their development. Children's language, in particular is sensitively nurtured. For example, singing is used to help children experiencing language delay to improve articulation. Highly effective planning and assessment systems which help the childminder identify each child's stage of learning are in place The childminder makes relevant and enlightening observations of children's play so that their learning styles and current interests are established to inform both the daily routine and activity planning. These are shared with parents so that

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

all can support the children's learning. This is one of the many strengths of the setting. However, systems to share information about children's learning with other providers such as key staff working at local playgroups and nurseries that current children in the childminder's care attend are not yet fully developed. Older children have the opportunity to produce individual pieces of art and craft work and be involved in group activities such as cookery sessions which encourages collaboratively learning, sharing and turn taking. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and successfully incorporates each area in both planned activities and within the daily routine. For example, children are helped to recognise colours by the introduction of planned indoor activities which are extended to include outdoor experiences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Highly effective steps are taken by the childminder to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All records, policies and procedures are regularly updated to ensure that that information contained is still applicable, for example updating emergency contact numbers. Further to this the childminder has completed relevant training such as an on-line safeguarding children course to continuously build on her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues. This attention to promoting children's welfare is one of the many strengths of the setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted through the daily routine. Children are introduced to a range of healthy foods particularly during the weaning period when care is taken to ensure that children move smoothly from liquidised food to finger foods. Activities and procedures such as a regularly practised fire drill take place to help children gain an understanding of how to keep them safe take place. These are monitored by the childminder to ensure that they are effective. Daily walks are taken which are supplemented by visits to parent and toddler groups and outings to the local children's farm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing an outstanding level of service to children and works beyond her contracted hours to achieve this. She is very attentive to children and has a calm approach to which children respond. As a result, children have a highly enjoyable time in the childminder's care and are very well supported in all areas of their development. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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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