Adams, Dawn

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 EY355767 Inspection date 29/01/2009 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 seven, four and three years in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. Local amenities are within walking distance. 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 premises are accessed via a path. The family has a dog and fish. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group and she also provides care to one child aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to the park. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and very well engaged in purposeful play and activities and the childminder has made an excellent start in implementing the learning and development requirements. Although, she is keen to ensure that evidence is available to show the planning for each child's next steps for learning. Children's welfare is promoted with success which ensures they are safe and secure. The highly effective partnerships with parents ensures they are kept fully informed of their child's progress. Although, the childminder has begun to implement a process of self-evaluation in order to identify areas of strength and areas for further development this continues to be developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the observations and assessment to show evidence of the planning for the next steps for learning for each child  continue to develop the system of self-evaluation and quality improvement processes to extend effective practice and help improve outcomes for every child.

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provision

The childminder has implemented thorough written records and specific policies and procedures that underpin the safe and efficient management of her provision. She skilfully meets the needs of all the children by providing them with a great range of play materials and activities that are appropriately challenging and led by the children's interests. She keeps written observations and photographs that show children's starting points and considers the activities she will provide for them. She is keen to ensure that evidence is available to show how the observations are used This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to inform the planning and next steps for learning for each child by further implementing the 'Practice Guidance' document into her daily activity. The childminder has a good understanding of inclusion and ensures that each child is treated as an individual, that they have opportunities to learn about diversity

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provision

through books and play materials and becoming involved in the celebration of festivals including Chinese New Year. Children are very well safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of child protection concerns and is meticulous in her risk assessment to ensure that preventative action is taken to reduce risks to children both at home and when on outings.

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provision

Children benefit from the highly effective partnerships in place between the childminder, their parents and other providers of the EYFS. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's progress through text messages and photographs during the day as well as verbal and written information when they arrive to collect their children. The childminder liaises regularly with the local school and nursery to ensure a consistent approach for the children. The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation and of reviewing her own practice to demonstrate areas of strength and areas for further improvement and this continues to develop.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children clearly demonstrate that they feel a real sense of belonging in the childminder's home because they are content to access play materials and organise their own detailed imaginative role play games. These involve driving and having a picnic together. Children get on extremely well with each other and decide who is to take on which role in the game. They are happy to tell the childminder what their game is about and involve her by making her pretend food and drinks. The childminder regularly gets involved in the children's play and talks to them about what they are doing. This involvement and valuing of the children's ideas promotes children's growing self-esteem and confidence. Children take part in an abundance of different activities that cover all areas of learning. For example, they go for walks and outings to local groups and country parks. They find things to discuss or use for art and craft activities, they become involved in growing fruits and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

vegetables, recycling, music and movement sessions and baking activities. The childminder ensures that the children's interests lead the play and activities which ensures that they are meaningful to them. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of promoting inclusive practice. They begin to learn about the wider world and become aware of diversity through discussions with the childminder. They have access to good resources that show positive images and particularly enjoy a book made by the childminder that shows lots of images of children and adults from around the world of various ages, abilities and carrying out different tasks in their daily life. This book promotes lots of discussion between the children that is appropriately supported by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children work together exceptionally well because the childminder is skilled to know when to stand back and observe and when to step in. She creates a harmonious atmosphere which promotes calm and productive play. Children enjoy listening to varying styles of music that plays unobtrusively in the background. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures that behaviour is managed in a positive way. Children understand the expectations for behaviour and respond to the childminder's gentle reminders to think of others and to be careful. Children feel secure with the childminder because they know the flexible routines that are in place. For example, children enjoy a session of free play and are reminded by the childminder that it will soon be time to tidy away. Children are aware of when it is time to tidy away because the childminder plays a particular piece of classical music to which they all

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enthusiastically respond and clear away the toys co-operatively as a team. Children benefit because the childminder is enthusiastic to join in and always makes time to listen to them and asks what they want to do. The highly effective strategies employed by the childminder and her sensitivity to the individual children ensures their physical, social and economic well-being are very well met. 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? 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 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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