Snaith, Joanne

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 301722 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Julie Larner

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 12 years in Holywell, Northumberland. The whole of the premises are 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 6 children under 8 years. She is also registered on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. There are currently 9 children on roll, 3 of whom are in the early years age range and all of whom, except one child attend on a part-time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. Children remain safe in the setting due to comprehensive systems that contribute towards safeguarding their welfare, however, routines of the day are not always effective in maintaining close supervision of the children to thoroughly monitor their safety overall. Children’s learning and development is assessed successfully in most areas of learning and clear, comprehensive assessment ensures children can make good progress.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder values every child for their individual skills and abilities and knows them all well which ensures she plans a range of both indoor and outdoor activities that meet their individual needs, incorporate their interests and ensures they are all fully included. The childminder’s efforts to further her knowledge and skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage and childcare generally ensure that the provision for the children is continuously improving.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve monitoring systems for assessment of the children's development in all areas of learning, for example, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy.  organise the setting to ensure that children are well supervised during routine times of the day, such as whilst preparing foods or tidying away.

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provision

Good comprehensive systems and documentation contributes to children’s welfare, for example, regular checks on safety equipment and a detailed daily assessment of the risks in the areas that children use, means the childminder’s ability to promote safety works very well. However, routines of the day, such as preparing foods and tidying up areas that children have used, means on some occasion’s children are not always closely supervised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Written records and information sought from parents about both children’s individual care needs and their learning are very successful. A two way flow of detailed information provides a very sound building block to keep parents highly knowledgeable about their child’s development. Additionally this adds to parents feeling truly valued as partners in their children’s learning as the childminder liaises

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provision

with them effectively, for example, by talking to parents about areas of development they would like her to focus on and providing activities, such as developing writing skills, to extend children’s learning. Well planned introductory visits ensure that parents have time to find out about how the setting operates and allows children to become familiar with the environment helping them to feel safe and comfortable before they start to attend. Valuable links are being established with other places the children attend providing good opportunities to share information about their development.

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provision

The childminder shows a committed effort to furthering her skills and knowledge in childcare. She attends several courses to increase skills in areas such as, child protection, which, in turn, benefits the care of the children. A huge wealth of well maintained equipment and toys are available in the setting, which are well organised to promote independence and choice. Documentation is clear, very well organised and comprehensive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children evidently enjoy their time at the setting as they are engrossed in creative play. They explore and use their own ideas as they paint, using brushes their hands and fingers and love making hand prints on the paper. The childminder is successful in ensuring that all children of all ages can fully join with play opportunities by stepping back and allowing the children to use their own ideas and explore at their own pace, whilst also being nearby for support on the children’s request. Good, varied toys and equipment means that children can make several choices about what they want to play with as they keenly search through boxes to find pretend mobile phones to take to school. Older children use equipment to promote and develop their hand eye co-ordination as they thread laces through cards, which helps develop their emerging writing skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in the setting. Very thorough, regular assessments of children’s development in different areas means the childminder can plan for the next steps in children’s learning journeys. However, a lack of monitoring children's assessments overall is not sufficient to ensure this encompasses all the areas of learning equally, such as children’s development in problem solving reasoning and numeracy. Children have developed positive relationships with other children, as they help push each other around in cars and share toys with support from the childminder. They develop a good sense of self worth and self esteem as they clap themselves after shutting the stair gate when they return downstairs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Regular opportunities to be outdoors, means children benefit from fresh air and exercise. They walk to school and nursery and enjoy active play in the house as they copy exercises from television programmes in the morning. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 actively encouraged to make decisions about what they want to eat from a good range of healthy options and regularly hydrate themselves with freely available water. This means the childminder effectively encourages children’s good health and well-being. Children’s independence in helping with appropriate tasks is encouraged successfully as they competently go and put their clothes on the radiator to dry and wipe down their highchair after lunch.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder as they happily talk about their family, friends and what they like to do at the setting. The childminder responds well to the children’s decisions as she helps them to wash their hands, at their request, when they are painting, passes them new sheets of paper and successfully meets their routine needs consistently during the day. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe through listening to explanations and consequences from the childminder, for example, as she talks to them about what may happen if they don’t hold the buggy when they are on outings. They have regular opportunities to learn about what to do in the event of an emergency as fire drills are practiced consistently. 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? 3 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 previous 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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