Linnell Joanna Jane

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 505287 Inspection date 23/09/2008 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, 11 and 18 years old. They live in a house in Houghton Conquest close to local shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five, both of whom attend on a full-time basis, as well as five children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent and toddler groups. The family have two goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and can off access to a disabled person. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a well organised environment which caters for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children have fun and experience great learning opportunities. The childminder strives to review her practices ensuring high standards of care are in place. However, there are some elements which do not fully meet expectations. There is an extremely committed partnership with parents and cares in place to ensure all children's needs are meet.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend observation and assessment practices to include all children on the Early childcare register  further develop clearer procedures to cover arrangements for sharing information of exclusion periods of children who are ill or infectious.

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provision

The childminder effectively uses her meticulously well kept, comprehensive documentation and recording systems, including her self-evaluation, to actively support her in the service she offers to children and their families. She is highly motivated to extend her own knowledge and development by undertaking any training which assists her in delivering a highly professional service and meeting the care and learning needs of children.

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provision

Parents are kept very well informed by excellent day-to-day communications. This is achieved through the use of daily diaries, planning of activities and daily routines This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which are readily displayed. An effective working partnership with parents helps the childminder to identify children’s individual development and learning needs. This enables her to work effectively with the parents and any other agencies to ensure children receives the best possible help where it is needed.

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provision

Children’s safety is high priority within this extremely well organised setting. The childminder has drawn up very clear and concise safeguarding policies, health and safety policies to ensure children are well protected. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that all adults living in the home who may have regular contact with children are suitably vetted therefore giving reassurance to parents.

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provision

The childminder has taken time to introduce a system to monitor and evaluate the provision and her practice. She has addressed all issues raised at the last inspection, reviewed all her practices and made improvements where necessary. She has introduced a procedure for the recording of observations and uses them to plan ways to further children’s learning opportunities. However, not all children attending this provision are monitored within the Early Years Foundation Stage because they may spend time in other childcare settings. Therefore, the evaluating of their learning may not be fully achieved.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very proactive in promoting children’s welfare, learning and development. Children learn the importance of keeping themselves healthy and safe, through simple processes which are supported by the childminder. For example, clear routines of hand washing before meals and enjoying healthy, nutritious meals prepared by the childminder. They actively take part in emergency evacuation procedures so learn to keep themselves safe. They have access to fresh air and both physical and outdoor play activities on a daily basis. The childminder has reasonably clear polices, procedures and documents that support her practices. However, her exclusion periods for certain illnesses are not clearly defined, so there is the potential for children to attend who may be infectious and so a risk to others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Space and resources are exceptionally well organised to fully enable children to make informed choices from the vast selection of stimulating play materials. Children are highly motivated and absorbed in their play. For example, as they play with a pirate ship and make pretend games. They enjoy undressing and dressing the dolls, feeding them and acting out roles they see. Children have lots of stimulation from the childminder, who communicates all the time to the children, as well as through praise, encouragement and valuing their efforts. For example, when matching shapes in a shape sorter, she praises them when they find the right shape through claps and saying ‘well done’. Inclusion is equally important, as the childminder makes sure during story time all children see the book she is reading as well as giving very young children a book they can explore on their own. Children are beginning to experiment and explore their world through tactile and mechanical

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

type toys, trips out in the community and colourful child height posters reinforce their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has worked hard to develop a system for the recording of children’s This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievements and drawing up their progress within the early learning goals. She has developed long-, medium- and short-term planning to cover all areas of learning for the children and build it into their profiles. She takes time to share this with their parents, showing them their individual observation, recording in daily diaries and displaying the planning so further learning can continue at home. Although the planning reflects what they are doing and a system is in place for looking at the next steps, the childminder has not considered fully the learning and recording of children who use her and other childcare learning environments. Therefore, there is the potential for some children to not have their achievements and challenges in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their learning fully assessed. 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

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

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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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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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