Hamilton-Clements, Lisa Maria

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 EY292362 Inspection date 09/12/2008 Inspector Janet Maria Moutter

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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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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. 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 2004. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives alone with her two children aged eight, and six years, in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire. Shops, toddler groups, a park, a mobile library and other amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. The family keep a dog and there are also four fish in a tank upstairs.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children may use the entire house, although in practice remain mostly downstairs. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The home is accessed from street level and bathroom facilities are on both levels of the house. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her registration permits her to care for three children in the early years age range, at any one time. She currently minds eight children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's individual needs are well met by a childminder who knows them well and respects their individuality. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem and enables them to feel secure in the provision. Children make suitable progress towards the early learning goals through the varied range of activities offered to them. The childminder has the capacity to make improvements to her provision, evaluating the service she offers and identifying areas for development. This has a positive impact on outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 observe children as part of the daily routine and use these observations to plan the next steps in children's learning and development and increase the use of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to support the learning and develop needs of the children  review procedures to ensure they are effective, to all children in your care, when administering medicines  continue to develop risk assessments to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that all required documentation is consistently maintained (Organisation) 20/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Most policies and procedures are in place and implemented for the effective running of the provision. The childminder is very aware of her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the current procedures to follow. Risk assessments identify potential hazards and ensure children are cared for in a safe environment. However, the childminder is not systematically maintaining all the required records, for example when children, that she minds, self-medicate, as in such instances as Asthma. She does have detailed information regarding the children in her care and this enables her to meet their individual needs and incorporate their routines into her day. The children are well cared for and are confident and at ease in the setting. Children benefit from the communication with parents regarding their care needs and this enables the childminder to offer the children continuity of care. This has a positive impact on children's sense of belonging in the provision. Parents are

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provision

able to talk about their child's day and how well they have engaged in activities and feedback on their developmental progress is shared. However, this is not fully developed to encourage parents to contribute to the assessment process. The childminder has the capacity to make improvements to the learning, development and care offered to the children. At the time of the inspection she had been unable to attended any additional training such as Early Years Foundation Stage training. However, she has evaluated her provision, identified areas for improvement and booked on training courses in order for her to achieve this. This demonstrates her commitment to improving outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a secure bond with the childminder, readily approaching her and requesting her to join in their play. Children are keen to explore the toys and activities on offer and spend periods engaged in self-chosen play, for example, with the small world farm and the fort. Children engage in role play based on first hand experiences, and enjoy pretending to cook for the childminder. They put food in saucepans and in the oven before serving it to the childminder. She pretends to eat, whilst talking about the food the children have offered her. The childminder responds well to the children, getting down to their level to engage them in their play. She interacts well with them, encouraging their language skills. For example, when one child wants to know where the dog is, the childminder realises that the child wants to know if the dog is outside by looking through the dog flap. They chat and play with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the flap and the childminder explains that the dog is on a visit another house today. This helps build on children's confidence in communicating their wishes to others. Children are cared for in an environment that is warm and welcoming. There are displays of the children's work around and this helps them feel secure in the provision. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that are organised at low level to encourage them to choose those they wish to play with, which they do so with confidence. Children are provided with a range of activities that promote their development appropriately in all areas of learning. The childminder has begun to observe children during their play, but has not yet used the observations to assess children's progress, or plan for the next steps in their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of how to keep safe, both in the provision and when out. The childminder reinforces the rules needed to promote their safety and children adhere to these, for example, not running indoors and crossing the road safely. The evacuation plan is practised with the children and this helps them understand the procedures to be followed should a fire occur. However, risk assessments need to be reviewed and developed to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis. Children develop their awareness of healthy eating through the nutritious snacks and meals they enjoy in the provision. Information is gained from parents regarding children's dietary needs, preferences and allergies, and this is recorded and well catered for by the childminder. She gently encourages children to try nutritious snacks using the other children to encourage the 'faddy' eaters,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

explaining to them how they make their bodies 'strong and healthy'. The environment is warm and clean and good standards of hygiene are maintained. Children learn about the importance of hand washing routines, and this minimises the risk of cross-infection in the provision. Children's good health is promoted through regular walks in the environment. They play with various toys and equipment in the garden, regularly visit the parks and enjoy dancing and physical activity indoors. Children develop their awareness of the local community, with trips to local pre-school groups, where they play and interact with other children. The childminder supports children's social skills in sharing and turn taking. She has clear and appropriate boundaries in place for the children, and has these in pictorial form written by the children themselves to help all children's understanding of these. She is very aware of the appropriate methods to use for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

managing unwanted behaviour, and this helps children learn right from wrong. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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