Luan Lane

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 EY367876 Inspection date 06/11/2008 Inspector Susan Riley

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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 in a suburb of Mansfield. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The ground floor of the home is easily accessible. There are facilities close by such as a parks, schools and shops. The family has a pet dog.

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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 caring for four children in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder regularly attends the local parent and toddler groups and childminding support group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's care. She creates a welcoming, homely and inclusive environment in which all children are equally well cared for and have opportunities to succeed. Her practice is fully inclusive because she also works closely with parents to meet children's needs. Systems to monitor children's progress are in the early stages of development. Suitable measures are in place to fully safeguard children. The childminder has started to make some use of self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for development. She is committed to furthering her own knowledge, developing her practice and attends regular training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the planning for the individual learning needs of children in all six areas of learning  develop further the use of assessments to identify and effectively plan for the next steps in a child’s developmental progress and regularly review this approach.

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provision

Children flourish in the friendly and well-organised environment of the childminder's home. They benefit from the commitment she has shown since registration to attend training to update and improve her practice. The childminder understands her role and is proactive in protecting children by using her extensive knowledge of safeguarding children to ensure their welfare is paramount. Effective systems are in place to record any concerns and the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. The childminder has developed a range This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of policies and procedures to support her working practices. Relevant documentation is maintained to support children's care and to ensure their needs are known. Children enjoy continuity of care between their home and the childminder's because the childminder works in close partnership with their

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provision

parents. She discusses children's routines and interests before she begins minding. She develops an ongoing relationship with parents so that they are well-informed about children's welfare, achievements and progress. She takes photographs of children enjoying different activities and shares these with parents before collating them in children's individual learning journals.

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provision

The childminder provides the parents with their own welcome pack. Parents are able to contribute to their children’s assessments through the childminder sharing the records with them. The childminder communicates verbally with parents on a daily basis. This ensures parents are fully aware of what care their children have received during the time spent with the childminder. The childminder has started to evaluate her provision, has a clear view of her strengths and has identified some areas for further improvement. The childminder has sought parents' and children's views around her provision and they speak very highly of the childminder and her service. Efficient steps are taken to ensure all adults within the home are appropriately vetted and that toys and equipment are maintained in a clean, safe condition.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and actively involved in a range of activities that support their learning and development. Before children start attending, the children and their parents make visits to the childminder’s home. This enables the childminder to find out about the children’s interests and abilities and for the children to feel comfortable in her care. Children are happy to engage in play because toys and activities are set out for them and the childminder offers close support, which helps to build their confidence. Younger children's needs are met through following their home routines. This further helps them to feel settled and secure. Older children’s independence is promoted as they are encouraged to see to their own personal needs. For example, they are very aware of the lunch time routine with regard to washing their hands and helping with the setting of the table.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is effective in supporting children’s learning, she very easily gets down to their level and plays with them. She is a good role model and uses different teaching methods in helping children learn. Informal planning is not sufficiently focused to ensure children's progress is appropriately monitored. For example, activities are planned on a weekly basis and adhere to what children like to do, but do not identify future goals. However, the childminder has begun to look at the guidance and understands what improvements she needs to focus on to help children progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is well organised to meet children's needs. Resources are stored in boxes at child-level within the play area. The children are able to freely access toys, enabling them to make choices and develop their independence. Children regularly attend the local toddler groups, which helps them to socialise with a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wider group of friends. They frequently visit the park on the way home from school and in the holidays they go to various attractions such as a local farm. They extend their learning through these visits because the childminder follows up the visit with relevant activities. For example, recently they visited the farm and collected the eggs, which they brought home to cook. Children enjoy accessing books and snuggle up to the childminder to listen to a story. The childminder interacts sensitively with the children and engages them in conversations to support their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

language and communication skills. Children are realising that tools can be used for a purpose as they use a knife, under supervision, to cut up their own fruit for snack time. The very young children enjoy the sensory experience of making marks on the ‘Aqua Draw’. The older children explore the playdough and use their small muscles to mould and squeeze the dough into their required shape.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's care and welfare is promoted well, through a positive approach to the organisation and safety of the premises. Risk assessments are carried out and recorded, which means children benefit from playing in a secure, safe and well organised environment. Children learn about keeping safe as the childminder reinforces road safety when out walking with the children. They also practise the emergency evacuation procedure, this ensures they are fully aware of what to do in the event of a fire. The good health of children is promoted by a healthy, nutritious diet and good personal hygiene skills. Each child has their own individual toilet bag with their own items to use. Children demonstrate that they are starting to be aware of preventing cross-infection as they ask for their own towel for hand drying. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by using effective strategies and providing praise so that children's confidence and self-esteem are fostered.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are learning to be respectful as the childminder encourages them to use their manners. 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 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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