Teece, Elaine Margaret

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 321908 Inspection date 20/03/2009 Inspector Paula Fretwell

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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 has been registered for 26 years. She lives with her husband who assists with the childminding, in Horbury, close to Wakefield. The downstairs rooms are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden area for children's play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There are 14 children on roll who attend on a variable basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are very well cared for in a welcoming, homely environment and their individual needs are given high priority. Effective partnerships with parents and carers enable children's care to be tailored to their unique requirements and all necessary information is shared verbally on a daily basis. The childminder is very experienced and she is aware of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring that all children's welfare, learning and development needs are met. Informal systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of the provision and the recommendations from the last inspection have been fully addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems for evaluating the quality of the provision  continue to develop ways to share the records of children's progress with their parents

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provision

All necessary documentation is securely in place and very well organised to meet the children's needs. Policies and procedures support the childminder's practice and these are available to parents. The childminder understands the need to evaluate and monitor the quality of the provision and she does so informally through taking into account the views of parents, keeping up-to-date with changes to legislation and undertaking training opportunities. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and security. For example, doors are kept locked and alarmed, visitors are recorded and clear procedures prevent unauthorised adults from collecting the children. Risk assessments identify and minimise hazards to children and all toys, equipment and resources are of good quality and maintained very well.

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provision

The childminder is flexible to meet the differing needs of parents and carers and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 offers hours of care to help them manage their work. Information is shared before children start and during their time with the childminder. Children's progress is recorded with lovely examples and photographs of what they have been doing and parents are welcome to see these records, although they do not yet contribute to them. The childminder fully supports parents in their role and parents express their appreciation at the quality of care that is given to their children.

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provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder understands the signs of possible abuse or neglect. She has clear procedures identified and shared with parents for responding to concerns or allegations and all necessary contact numbers are readily accessible in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works closely with her husband and together they offer a secure, safe and stimulating environment for children. Children are happy and settled and they behave as though they are part of the family, with a clear sense of belonging in the childminder's home. For example, they call the childminder and her husband 'grandma' and 'granddad' and they approach them with ease to make their needs known. They freely access all the play areas, selecting their own resources and making independent decisions about what they do.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which are planned according to their individual needs. The childminder and her husband are very aware of children's individual personalities, their likes and dislikes and there are many play opportunities for children based around these. Children are learning through play in a fun and relaxed way and the childminder joins in with them to develop their skills and introduce new vocabulary. Children enjoy showing off their creative skills as they make Mothers Day cards and the childminder gives them plenty of praise and encouragement. Children confidently access what they need to support their play. For example, they imitate the inspector by playing with a toy laptop and they choose a range of puzzles to complete. Children enjoy dressing up and they giggle as they try on glasses, enjoying the opportunity to pose for a photograph as the childminder laughs alongside them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted well. They enjoy a very healthy, balanced diet and the childminder works with parents to ensure their individual needs are met. The childminder involves children in making simple decisions, such as what they would like for lunch, and she listens to their requests. Children enjoy trying food from other countries and they attempt using chopsticks when celebrating Chinese New Year. Children enthusiastically sit down together to enjoy fresh fruit mid morning and they use lovely manners, saying 'please' and 'thank you' with little prompting. Children are not thirsty in the setting as drinks are constantly available and they know their individual cups. Good attention is given to developing children's awareness of personal hygiene. They talk about hand washing and they each have individual named hand towels.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety is given high priority and they are helped to understand how to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 keep themselves safe in everyday ways. For example, the childminder's husband changes the smoke alarm and the childminder discusses this with the children, talking about what they would do if they heard the alarm. Emergency evacuation is practised with the children and there are detectors in place for smoke and carbon monoxide. Children are reminded to play safely. For example, they are asked not to throw toys and the childminder gives sensitive explanations for this. Positive strategies are used consistently to manage children's behaviour and their confidence is boosted through plenty of positive praise and words of encouragement. 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

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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