Boyle, Sandra

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 308612 Inspection date 03/11/2008 Inspector Marina Anna Howarth

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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 1998 and transferred to Ofsted in 2001. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Whitworth, near Rochdale, Lancashire. The whole of the premises is used for childminding, with toilet facilities located on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. There is easy access to the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding five children on the Early Years Register and two on the compulsory register. She drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family has a pet dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and caring environment for children and their families. She ensures that children enjoy their time whilst in her care as she considers their individual needs when planning and enables them to contribute their ideas to activities she provides. Systems to monitor children's progress and identify their next steps in learning are currently being developed. However, the childminder does not keep written records of risk assessments and not all policies reflect the introduction of the Early Years Foundation stage. She demonstrates a sound understanding of her strengths and weaknesses and has identified methods to continue to develop and improve her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 contine to develop children's observation and assessment records to clearly show their next steps for learning and use this information to inform planning update policies and procedures to reflect the introduction of the Early Years Foundation stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise a record of risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action following a review or incident and also carry out a risk assessment for each specific type of outing with children (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 17/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder follows policies and procedures to promote children's welfare, learning and development. She is aware of her responsibility to protect children and is aware of procedures to follow in event of any concerns arising. However, not all policies currently reflect the introduction of the Early Years Foundation stage. Although the childminder ensures children's safety is paramount whilst they are in her care, written risk assessments are not in place and the child protection policy is not in line with safeguarding children. This is a specific legal requirement of the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to professional development and positively enhances the quality of her childcare provision. For example, she holds a valid first aid certificate and is attending further training on safeguarding children to extend her knowledge and understanding. She has also attending training in the Early Years Foundation stage. She has addressed recommendations made at the last inspection and has recently completed a self evaluation document which has enabled her to identify her strengths and weaknesses and identify a clear focus on the development of her provision. The childminder has a sound understanding of keeping children safe and ensures children are left unsupervised with persons not vetted.

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provision

Children have access to a well-organised environment which is welcoming and child friendly which they are able to explore in a confident manner. Their artwork is displayed in folders and they have access to photos of themselves involved in a variety of activities. Their independence is promoted well as toys and resources are located within easy access and children are aware of their location. As a result children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and feel valued whilst attending the setting.

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provision

The childminder works in partnership with parents and outside agencies to meet children's individual needs and maintain consistency. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through daily verbal communication and written daily records. She operates an 'open-house' policy where parents are welcome to spend time in her setting and discuss their child and to observe her practice. The childminder is committed to developing links with the local schools to ensure consistency is maintained for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are welcomed at the setting. They benefit from the support and affection they receive from the childminder which results in them feeling confident, motivated, happy and secure. Children's independence is promoted well through easy access of a wide range of good quality toys and resources. The childminder uses a combination of planning structured activities and giving children regular opportunities to instigate play activities of their choice. She uses her sound knowledge and understanding of the children in her care to ensure play experiences are fun and meaningful. For example, children express their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoyment of painting so the childminder provides a painting activity. Children enjoy using a selection of different painting tools and squelching the paint between their fingers. They proudly show their paintings of bonfires they have created. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder treats children with equal concern and respect which ensures their individual needs are met effectively. Children benefit from opportunities to learn about diversity and the wider community through discussions and activities, they have access to a wide selection of toys and resources which depict positive images of race, gender and disability.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are involved in the planning of activities as the childminder consults with them on a regular basis. They enjoy regular outings to the park where they explore a variety of apparatus, developing their motor skills, they collect leaves and twigs on nature walks and enjoy growing flowers in pots in the garden. They visit the library to attend story sessions and the childminder has established links with the local school and has begun to implement the same topics. The childminder has a sound understanding of the 'Early Years Foundation Stage' and ensures children benefit from a range of activities which incorporate the early learning goals. She is currently developing systems detailing observations and photographs reflecting activities the children are involved with and is in the early stages of using observations to identify the next steps in learning. Children demonstrate their writing skills and their recognition of letters as they write their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

name using a selection of mark making materials. They demonstrate their counting skills as they sing number rhymes and play games which involve counting. They construct roads and create scenes with small world figures, buildings and transport and enjoy engaging in role play through dressing up.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, clean and secure environment where they are learning how to keep themselves safe, indoors and outdoors. For example, they are encouraged to tidy away the toys when they have finished playing so they do not fall over and hurt themselves. They are aware that while travelling in the car they must not undo their seat belt until the childminder tells them to. They are learning about road safety as the childminder offers explanations and discusses the 'Green Cross Code'. Children are aware of emergency evacuation procedures in the event of a fire as the childminder has discussed and practiced this on a regular basis.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's positive approach to developing children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle ensures that children are healthy. They understand the importance of washing their hands before handling food and after visiting the toilet. Their independent skills are promoted through easy access to the sink and tissues to enable them to develop their personal hygiene skills. They are encouraged to clean their teeth after meals and they are aware of food that is healthy and good for them. Children enjoy healthy, nutritional meals and snacks and participate in simple baking activities and refreshments are available at all times. They are safe and secure as the childminder has implemented sound measures and ensures they are closely supervised at all times. 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? 3 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? 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect. 17/11/2008  take action as specified in the early years section of the report, (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 17/11/2008

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report, (Suitable person, premises and equipment) 17/11/2008 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 the last inspection 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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