Keegan, Alison Clare

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 EY371500 Inspection date 14/01/2009 Inspector Clare Elizabeth Pook

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine, six and four in the village of Fen Drayton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is fully enclosed garden used for outdoor play. The premises is easily accessible to most users.

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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 in the early years age range on a part- time basis. She also minds three older children. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder to walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family have no pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder creates a warm, welcoming environment for children to settle into and play happily. Children's uniqueness and individual needs are respected and valued. The childminder uses the self-evaluation form to clearly identify areas to focus on for future development. She is keen to make improvements and access additional training to support this.

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further?

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

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further?

 use assessments to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and review this approach  match observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  develop partnerships with other practioners to support the transistion between settings.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing taking into account the nature of the outing. (Safeguarding and welfare) 31/01/2009

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provision

The childminder has effective systems in place for keeping records and maintaining necessary documentation. The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect as she has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures as well as signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has conducted thorough visual risk assessments, but not all are in writing which is now a requirement of the EYFS.

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provision

The childminder obtains all necessary information from parents, which helps promote children's welfare and enables the childminder to meet the children's needs. She works closely with parents and ensures she has all relevant information to support children, especially those with additional needs. The childminder values parents' views and seeks these regularly through questionnaires. Some children attend other settings. The childminder is making every effort to liaise with other settings but not all have been responsive. Consequently, this does not help assist all children in a smooth transition or support any areas of development.

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provision

The childminder has an effective system in place to monitor and evaluate her own practice. She recognises her own strengths and is focused on improving her weaker areas. She has identified areas of training to develop her own professionalism as well as courses where specific children will benefit. Any useful information she passes onto parents. She is keen to improve outcomes for children. The childminder organises her time with the children well. She has good skills in organising spontaneous play and is considerate of children's interests, adapting the routine to meet these requests. Examples of this are ensuring 'Thunderbirds' are set out, making good use of the garden for outdoor play as they are firm favourites and help children to settle.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is successful in promoting children's welfare, learning and development. Children are learning to keep themselves safe when out and about. They know they are allowed to go ahead across the park but must wait for the childminder before going into school or across the road. They have taken part in a road safety awareness week which again reinforced keeping themselves safe. Children are learning about keeping healthy through lots of outdoor play, learning about eating '5 a day' and keeping records of this on a chart. Good hygiene practices are encouraged and demonstrated by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to self-select resources and are confident to ask for additional resources, which promotes their independence and self-esteem. For example, when playing with the drum, children ask for more drums. The childminder utilises household items to meet this request. Additional saucepans and lids become the instruments. The childminder extends their learning by talking about China as they eat their sweet and sour chicken with noodles. She then finds the chop sticks for children to try to use, creating great fun and amusement. Children count how many more mouthfuls of dinner to have and associate it with their age. The childminder has displayed a map of the world near the table so that children can look for different countries. The childminder interacts very well with the children chatting and asking questions to encourage thinking.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is strong in approach to dealing with challenging behaviour and makes sure she is consistent with the boundaries she sets. She follows through her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 actions, with explanations and as a result, children are learning the difference between right and wrong. Children are polite and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. They work well together to put the marble run together and take turns to load the digger with gravel outside. The childminder praises them for their achievements. Children are encouraged to hang up their coats, find their own shoes and pour their own drinks. This promotes independence and gives them a sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans activities along themes as well as what the children enjoy. She clearly covers the six areas of learning well through both planned and spontaneous play, ensuring children are given a wide range of play experiences. She knows her children well and has started to keep records on the children. Photographs are taken as additional evidence to support observations. They are not, at present, the early learning goals. Children's next steps are informal and are not effectively used to inform planning. She adapts activities to meet children's needs and uses effective questioning to challenge children. 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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