Harrison, Angela

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 EY360860 Inspection date 28/10/2008 Inspector Beverly Kemp-Russell

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 23 months, seven and 11 years, in Lincolnshire. All areas of the home are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Some amenities are within walking distance such as a park, school, pre-schools and toddler groups, and the childminder also uses her car to transport children. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She currently looks after two children within the Early Years Register age group and two older children within the voluntary Childcare Register age group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and caring environment for children. Most aspects of children's welfare are promoted well. There are no breaches of requirements that have a significant impact on the children but some weaknesses in observation and assessment demonstrate that systems are not robust enough to ensure that all gaps in the provision are fully identified. Children make good progress in their learning and development. A close and effective partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring that the individual needs of all the children are met. The childminder has attended relevant training courses and uses the internet to update and develop her knowledge of childcare issues.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a robust system to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with providers  use observations and develop assessments to identify learning priorities and what children need to learn next

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provision

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, where space is used appropriately to meet their needs. A suitable range of toys and resources are made available and these are changed during the course of the day to help keep children stimulated. Children's skills are developed through the use of good learning opportunities being promoted during everyday occurrences, for example, taking photographs around the local area. The childminder has very good relationships with the children in her care and knows them very well. Records, documents and procedures are in place, stored confidentially and used to promote children's welfare, care and learning. Children are safeguarded because the childminder is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aware of child protection procedures to follow should she have any concerns. Their safety is further maintained because the childminder has taken appropriate steps

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provision

to minimise potential risks, these are currently recorded to fully meet Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements.

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provision

The partnership with parents and carers is good. Children's needs are met by daily verbal communication between the childminder and parents and shared written documentation. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes and the childminder ensures she is aware of their opinions and attitudes. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures to ensure necessary steps to safeguard and promote children's welfare are taken. However, a robust system to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers is not fully developed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their learning and are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder gathers good information from parents about children's needs and interests. This information is recorded and is used effectively to inform initial assessments and planning. However, observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and what children need to learn next are not fully developed. The childminder knows children well and extends their interests through the exploration of topics through books and craft activities. For example, the children have recently created alphabet, number and colour recognition posters. Flexible planning ensures that children are offered a balanced range of activities and they are encouraged to explore their environment. For example, the current theme is 'Our village', children have visited many places in the local area, taken photographs and made a wall collage. Children enjoy playing with a suitable range

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of resources, which meet their developmental needs including toys that reflect culture, ethnicity and disability. The childminder accesses additional resources such as story sacks from the local children's centre to offer variety and maintain children's interests.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded well. Their health is maintained as they are cared for in a clean environment where good hygiene practices are promoted to help minimise the risk of cross-infection. Food is provided by children's own parents and by the childminder to ensure it fully meets their dietary requirements. Children's safety is ensured through the childminder's practices and procedures. Children are supervised at all times. When on outings the childminder talks to them about fresh air and exercise and takes them to places of interest such as Rand Farm and the local park.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is managed well due to the childminder's consistent approach in promoting positive behaviour. Children show respect for themselves and others, encouraged by the childminder setting a good example. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement, and guidance is applied consistently to ensure they are aware of acceptable boundaries. 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? Satisfactory

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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? Good 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 registration.

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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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