Baxter, Anita Linda

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 EY100186 Inspection date 23/10/2008 Inspector Andrea Ewer

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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 has been registered since 2002 and is registered to care for six children up to the age of eight years. She is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and the Early Years Register. She is currently caring for 11 children from 10 months to 11 years for various hours and days. The childminder has developed partnerships with other professionals delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children in her care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 11 and 17 in a house in Northampton. There is one step to gain access to the front of the house. Care is provided on the ground floor of the house including the playroom, kitchen/diner and downstairs cloakroom. Children share access to the garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats and a duck.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA), is accredited through the NCMA 'Quality First' quality assurance scheme and is a member of Northamptonshire Childminding Network 'Children Come First'. She holds a National Vocational Qualification Level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a strong commitment to providing high quality care and learning experiences. She recognises the uniqueness of each child. Daily routines, record keeping systems and activities are organised to ensure all children are fully included and their individual needs are met, based on their starting points and capabilities. Highly effective partnerships with parents and others involved in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children in her care which ensures a cohesive and consistent approach. Overall, the use of evaluation is effective in ensuring continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to clearly identify what is being done well and priorities for development.

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provision

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder who continuously strives to provide high quality care and education, based on children's interests. She continues to update her professional skills through training. For example, she has completed the National Vocational Qualification in Early Years Care, Learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Development Level 3 and has recently started an Early Years degree. This supports the childminder extremely well to successfully promote outcomes for children and ensure they make very good progress in their learning and development.

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provision

Comprehensive policies and procedures which underpin all aspects of the childminder's practice are implemented consistently and ensure that the needs of all children are met. The childminder has extremely good partnerships with parents and others involved in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children in her care. Parents receive good quality information about the provision such as an information pack that includes condensed policies and information about the childminder and the Early Years Foundation Stage. This informs them about the service being provided and clearly sets out expectations of each other. The childminder regularly shares information about children with parents and the nursery children attend, including children's achievements, activities and themes they have been involved in. She often continues activities from the nursery which promotes an integrated approach to their learning and development. The rigorous

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provision

use of on-going self-evaluation clearly identifies most strengths and priorities for development, however, it is not sufficiently robust to ensure all areas are covered. Positive written comments from parents questionnaires show they value the childminder and are extremely happy with all aspects of the service being provided.

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provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded and start to understand how to keep themselves safe. The written risk assessment supports the visual checks that are carried out daily and ensures children are safe at all times including during outings. For example, children wear high visibility jackets and labels stating the childminder's mobile phone number to contact in case children become lost during outings. The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and is aware of her responsibilities in protecting children from harm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are promoted exceptionally well which ensures they make excellent progress across all areas of learning. They actively participate in a stimulating and at times exciting range of well-planned and spontaneous activities that they enjoy and provides challenge. For example, photographs show children engrossed in a pond dipping activity where they learn to use a fishing net to catch newts and frog spawn and observe them closely. This provides real life practical experiences and consolidates children's learning as they go on to look at books about wildlife and talk about life cycles.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Exceptionally well maintained children's profiles that link clearly to the development matters as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage, are used to monitor children's progress and build on what each child knows and can do. The childminder uses this information to plan the next steps for individual children and adapts activities to make sure they all fully participate in the range of activities provided. Children learn about nature as they collect leaves and pine cones during walks and use them to make collages, use their senses to explore the dried leaves in the water tray and talk about the windy day. Communication, language and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 literacy are promoted very well. Children find their name label to self-register as they arrive, have free access to a wide range of books and mark-making equipment and participate enthusiastically in stories where the childminder uses

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

props such as story boards and puppets to engage them more effectively. Numbers are attractively displayed around the playroom and counting is included in everyday activities. Children start to solve simple problems as they build models using large boxes and spontaneously count each step as they walk alongside the model. Children feel highly valued as individuals and learn about our similarities and differences. They participate in activities that celebrate cultural festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year and have regular access to resources that helps them appreciate diversity such as African drums, Chinese, Asian and African dressing up clothes and displays showing Makaton sign language symbols. This builds a secure foundation for their future learning and contributes to their future economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Space and resources are extremely well organised and supports children to become independent. They readily access resources of their choice from the extensive range available and play purposefully with highly effective support from the childminder, who spends her time playing with and talking to children consistently. Children have very good opportunities for outdoor play where they thoroughly enjoy fresh air and activities that helps to develop their physical skills. They push and ride wheeled toys with increasing skill in the garden and slide through the tunnel and climb large play equipment in the park. Children gain an extremely good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. They develop simple good hygiene practices as part of daily routines and enjoy nutritious meals and snacks that contribute very well to their healthy growth and development. Children respond well to the extremely effective strategies used to manage their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

behaviour that takes account of their age and level of maturity. The childminder praises children regularly when they show kindness to others, share and play co- operatively. Posters explaining the house rules both in pictures and text remind children of what is expected of them. As a result children are very well behaved. 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 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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