Runciman Susan

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 EY304069 Inspection date 13/11/2008 Inspector Angela Cole

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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 was registered in 2004 and is on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her adult son and daughter in the Golden Valley area of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Most of the ground floor is registered for childminding. The main areas used are a playroom, an open-plan kitchen-dining room, a reception room and downstairs toilet. There is an enclosed, rear garden with grass and patio areas for outside play in summer and a driveway in the cul-de-sac. The family has two dogs as pets. Childcare is offered before, during and after school and in school holidays. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age group on a part and full-time basis and six children after school. The childminder drives children to and from schools with whom she has partnership arrangements. She attends childminder drop-in

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Description of the childminding

groups and takes children to the nearby library, park and shops. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminder support group. She is working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Home Childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. Good organisation, drive and motivation of the childminder ensure children have positive experiences and are well cared for in a healthy environment where, overall, they are safe and secure. The childminder's practice is inclusive using her knowledge and clear understanding of each child's background and needs. Children enjoy learning about the natural world and their local area, and the childminder effectively helps them to understand diversity in the society in which they live. Ongoing, appropriate reflection of practice enables the committed childminder to identify areas for development and to plan for continuous improvement for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend risk assessment for specific types of outings to support children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe while exploring diverse learning and development opportunities.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 14/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is experienced and attends considerable short and long-term training to support children's different learning and development needs. Her documentation is secure and generally well organised to safeguard children's welfare. Many required policies and procedures are in place with clear, recorded detail, including the seeking of parental permission for emergency medical advice or treatment for most minded children. Plentiful, high quality resources are effectively and efficiently used by children who choose their own playthings from the wide selection immediately accessible to them. The childminder makes good use of her time that is organised solely for the children so they benefit from ample, individual, adult attention.

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provision

The childminder effectively strives for improvement to provide high quality care and education for children. Recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been appropriately tackled in terms of improving outcomes. As a result, children have increased awareness of everyday safety in the home and learn of the importance of hygiene routines, nutritious food and regular exercise in a healthy lifestyle. Through qualification training, the childminder's increased understanding about child development and processes of learning has had a positive impact on the overall quality of the early years provision and outcomes for children.

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provision

Children benefit from positive and friendly relationships developed with parents and carers who express strong appreciation for the childminder. Families are continuously encouraged to share what they know about their children and are provided with good quality information about the childminding provision. They are well informed about their children's achievements and progress through in-depth discussion and are effectively involved in supporting their children's learning and development. For example, parents relate family events and their children's interests, such as cycling, so the childminder includes these in her suggested activities and in conversations with the children. With parents' permission, the childminder liaises well with external agencies and other early years providers to ensure effective support for children and continuity of their learning and care, for example, through discussion and attendance at school functions.

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provision

Through positive guidance, children are effectively helped to stay safe. Arrangements for safeguarding are robust, regularly reviewed and well understood by the childminder who has attended extra training to extend her knowledge of how to protect children. Effective procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate agencies. The home environment in which children are cared for and educated is safe and supportive as hazards are reduced to a minimum and children are closely supervised. General risk assessments are completed under headings, such as 'parks and outings', rather than for specific types of trips out to support children's understanding of how to keep themselves safe while exploring the diverse experiences made available to them. From a young age, children are taught to be safety conscious as they practise evacuating the house in an emergency and to be careful when near to

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provision

traffic. 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

Children make good progress to learn and develop because of the childminder's secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and her effective interaction. They feel secure as the childminder responds to their chosen play and sustains their concentration through supportive comments, whilst skilfully expanding their knowledge with appropriate challenges. For example, young children's imaginative play with small figures is well extended through a rocking song and enthusiastic conversations using puppets. Purposeful play is well encouraged through the childminder's close observation of each child to analyse where their strengths are and what to work on. As a result, each child engages in enjoyable and challenging experiences so that all areas of learning are effectively covered and their economic well-being is fostered. For example, a child's home interest in trains is extended through much time spent investigating the facilities and happenings at the local

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

station. Children are actively involved in learning as the childminder leaves space for them to join in animated conversations, for example, about a favourite rhyming book. They extend their vocabulary and understanding of number language to solve meaningful problems that arise through their play, for example, with magnetic numerals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The well-prepared learning environment successfully helps children progress towards the early learning goals and accessible, appropriate resources promote their decision making from a young age. Children take part in a wide range of activities and play experiences based around their interests and needs. Their learning is well extended on frequent outings into the community, for example, when shopping and counting or saying the initial letters of different fruits. Children respond well to new challenges following the example of older ones, for example, to dress up, make dens and freely create with a large range of materials. They further develop their sensory and exploratory experiences through regular access to natural media, such as an outdoor sandpit and water play after drawing or hand painting. They effectively make connections between different experiences, such as feeling the textures of a sponge and linking this with rough and smooth bark of a tree. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

gain a good sense of time to share in well-known routines. These offer plentiful opportunities for child-initiated play, such as dancing and challenging outdoor experiences, including exploring physical equipment in a variety of gardens and playgrounds.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The welfare of the children is effectively promoted as they are well encouraged to develop habits and behaviour appropriate to good learners, their own needs and those of others. As a key person in their lives, the childminder is very aware of children's requirements and provides personal interaction at all times, including nappy changes and when preparing for daytime sleeps. Children benefit from her sensitive role modelling to form good relationships with each other. They respond to her clear house rules about managing their own behaviour so they cooperative by sharing and being polite to one another. They learn about caring for living things as they grow bulbs and feed the birds. They are well supported to value diversity in meaningful ways, exploring alternative words introduced by families from different backgrounds and making a photograph album to take to relatives overseas. The 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

childminder works effectively with parents and other providers to ensure that children are well cared for. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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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