Troughton, Jenny

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY308488 Inspection date 21/10/2008 Inspector Carole Elizabeth Price

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner, her daughter aged six years and her son aged 11 months in a three-bedroom home in the village of Chalford on the outskirts of Stroud. The whole of the house is used for childminding and the main care takes place on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the property is a little awkward as there are four steps down to the front door. These are, however, wide steps of low height and easily accessed if using a pushchair.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding six children at various times across the week. She is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. The childminder attends parent and toddler groups and goes for walks within the local community. The family have a cat

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where the childminder, who is enthusiastic and well organised, effectively meets their needs. She knows the children in her care well and uses her knowledge of their uniqueness and their individual interests to provide a wide variety of experiences from which children learn and develop. The procedures for safeguarding children are well thought through, effectively implemented and thorough. The childminder has effectively evaluated her practice and through this has identified her strengths and her areas for future development. She has completed appropriate training and demonstrates a desire to continue her professional development with future relevant training.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop links with other providers to exchange information about the children's individual needs.  extend hygiene procedures during nappy changing to reduce the risk of the spread of infection.

p.3

provision

The leadership and management of the setting is effectively organised. The children benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills, as she uses these to develop activities and experiences which are tailored to meet individual children's learning and development. The childminder has effectively addressed the issue regarding hand washing routines from the last inspection and has completed the self-evaluation form as part of her monitoring process. This has highlighted her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strengths and areas for future improvement, for example, her personal desire to further develop her planning systems and to form links with other providers. She is aware of how her training has benefited her in providing appropriate learning and development for children and expresses desire to build on her own professional learning and development to enhance her provision further.

p.3

provision

Partnership with parents is very effectively organised and highly valued from parents who have written compliments to the childminder about the service she provides. Good systems are in place for the exchange of information between the childminder and parents such as an information pack, daily routines, likes and dislikes, menus, diaries, verbal communication and learning journeys with photographs. Links with other providers have not been fully established although the childminder is aware of this and has begun the process by seeking written permission from parents regarding this.

p.4

provision

Children are very effectively safeguarded while in the care of the childminder. She has attended recent training and demonstrates very good knowledge and understanding of the procedures. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and implemented effectively. Very good routines for the checking of toys, equipment and routines are in place and thoroughly implemented. For example, regular risk assessments on indoor and outdoor premises, outings and all areas of care are carried out, checks on sleeping children are recorded along with fridge and freezer temperatures, daily safety checks, toy cleaning and emergency evacuation is practised to ensure all the children are aware of the procedure.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. They benefit from her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, her enthusiasm and genuine care and attention. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the areas of learning and uses her knowledge of the individual children to meet their needs effectively. She has very good systems in place for recording her observations, clearly linking them to the areas of learning and therefore assessing children's progress. She uses her knowledge along with the children's interests to plan effectively for their next steps in learning and development. For example, a couple of children have a great interest in animals so the childminder planning shows an outing to a local farm, singing songs about animals, making animal noises, reading animal stories and doing animal pictures.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have independent access to a wide range of resources as these are stored appropriately in low level boxes. They are encouraged to wash their own hands, tidy up the toys and put on their own coats. The childminder encourages children to talk and join in through conversation while playing and at meals and snack times. She asks questions to make the children think and join in conversation and interacts well with the children. For example, joining in with the musical instruments and encouraging them to all sing along together. Children learn about problem solving through puzzles, construction, small world toys and sharing together. They discuss shapes, count how many children are present and explore textures of items in the treasure basket. Walks in the community help the children to learn about the wider This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 world. They talk about things around them as they walk to school, learn to share

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

with others as they attend toddler groups and talk about things they see when out and about. Electronic music toys introduce children to technology and they go on to discover how to use the computer. A range of creative activities are provided where children can also explore using dough, gloop, pasta and sticking.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a range of healthy meals and snacks which are well balanced and nutritionally beneficial. The childminder checks each meals nutritional content and gives the details of each to the parents in advance. Drinks are provided frequently throughout the day and children access drinking water freely as their own cups are available to them at all times. Good procedures are in place for most routines, however, the nappy changing routine does not fully reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Children take part in physical activities as they walk in the community, dance to music, play in the garden or bounce safely on the trampoline. Older children learn about being healthy and making healthy choices through choosing snacks, cooking activities and talking about being active. Children are learning to keep safe as they discuss and practise road safety, learn how and why they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and talk about how their

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Policies and procedures are in place for managing the children's behaviour. These are very positive and appropriate to the age and understanding of individual children. Parents are involved in this process to ensure continuity and consistency. The childminder is very aware of the needs of the children in her care. She discusses each child with their parents to ensure she meets individual needs of the children and their families and to ensure she has sufficient understanding of any specific needs. She is very proactive and positive in her outlook and understands the need for inclusion of all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8