Ashton, Philippa

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 308726 Inspection date 28/10/2008 Inspector Sandra Elizabeth Williams

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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 lives with her husband and their two children aged 17 and 15 years in Warton, near Carnforth. Children have access to the playroom and the dining room on the ground floor, and the bathroom and back bedroom on the first floor. The premises is easily accessible to all children and parents who attend. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the property for outside play. The family has two ferrets who live in the garden shed.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding nine children aged from eight months to five years. She lives close to local schools, toddler groups, shops and other useful amenities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is an accredited childminder and is a member of the Bay Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association. She has also completed the Quality First Quality Assurance Scheme.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a nurturing and inclusive environment where their uniqueness is recognised and valued. Their welfare is promoted well, and they make good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents and others contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all children are met. Effective self-evaluation and monitoring ensures continuous improvement in the childminder's practice and she has a clear understanding of her strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems for using information from observations to plan for individual children's next steps on the learning journeys  increase the frequency of the emergency evacuation drills so that all children are conversant with the procedure.

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provision

The childminder effectively evaluates her practice, which takes into account the views of parents. She successfully identifies her strengths and areas for further development. The two recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. The increased range of activities and resources promoting equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice has had a positive impact upon children's understanding and knowledge of the wider world. The removal of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 poisonous plants from the garden has improved the level of safety for children when playing outside. The childminder has successfully achieved the Quality First Award and is accredited with the Bay Childminding Network to provide education for funded three and four year olds. This high level of commitment to her practice clearly demonstrates how the childminder strives for continuous improvement and

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provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibility for safeguarding children and has very recently undertaken a refresher course in this subject, in order to keep up to date with current legislation. Written risk assessments are comprehensive and thoroughly eliminate risks to children and keep them safe. Fire safety equipment is in place, including smoke alarms, fire blanket and extinguishers. The childminder teaches children about fire safety by undertaking emergency evacuation practices. However, these procedures have not taken place recently.

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provision

Partnerships with parents is relaxed and friendly and ensures each child's needs are met. There is a good two-way flow of information on a daily basis, which the parents value highly. Lots of information, photographs and attractive displays of the children's work also help to keep parents informed about their children's progress. This has a beneficial impact for the children as everyone is working together to promote their welfare, learning and development. Parents speak highly of the provision. Good steps are being taken to build partnerships with other professionals who also work with some of the children. For example, the childminder has strong links with the local pre schools and she works closely with them in order to provide continuity in the children's care and education.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. Planning for activities is clearly based on children's individual needs and interests, and observations are completed to inform assessments. The childminder has not yet, however, fully developed her systems for using this information to inform future plans for each individual child's next steps in all areas of their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are confident, happy and settled. They are becoming creative as they design their own hedgehog pictures and display them on an attractive wall display. They learn about nature and that hedgehogs go to sleep in the Autumn. They extend their vocabulary as they learn new words, such as hibernate. Children of all ages love books and have access to a wide range of age appropriate books, some of which cover important issues such as disabilities. Children have a growing awareness of numbers. The childminder uses every opportunity to develop their understanding, for example, she plays a game with the children which involves addition and subtraction.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children celebrate a wide range of festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. This along with the good range of resources, pictures and maps, which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reflect positive images, helps children learn to respect others. The children develop social skills as they go shopping with the childminder and as they meet people from their community during coffee mornings. The childminder takes account of children's interests and backgrounds when planning activities. For example, some children live on the nearby farm and have an interest in farm animals and vehicles. The childminder has purchased a toy farm and encourages the children's language development by naming the different animals and other related farm objects.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children gain a good understanding about healthy living as they enjoy healthy snacks such as fruit. They learn about good hygiene practices as they wash and dry their hands on their individual hand towels. They learn about the importance of keeping themselves safe as they learn about road safety whilst on outings with the childminder. Children are developing many skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being. For example, as they become increasingly confident in using real cameras to take photos of each other. They also use tape recorders to record different sounds such as birds singing and each others voices. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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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 last 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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