King, Alison

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 EY224437 Inspection date 25/11/2008 Inspector Carolyn Gifford

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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 since 2002. She lives with her husband and their two sons, aged eight years old and 11 years old at Balby in Doncaster. Local shops, parks and play areas are within easy walking distance. There is a fully enclosed garden to the rear of the house for outdoor play. The premises are accessible via a level path and driveway and two steps to the front door. The family has one pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides childcare all year round. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding five children, all of whom are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, compulsory part of the Childcare Register and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively to meet the needs of individual children and to promote their learning and development. Children are happy and settled in the well organised setting and are confident, independent and able to think critically and to make choices in their play. The childminder offers a fully inclusive childcare service where all children are welcomed, and she offers appropriate support to enable children to achieve their maximum potential and to feel fulfilled as individuals. She recognises that her planning and assessment systems and her communication with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, are areas for development and improvement, in order to successfully promote the continuity of care and education for children.

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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 planning, observation and assessment of children's progress in order to make clear links with the planning for their individual learning and development  further develop links with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of her role in promoting children's safety and well-being. All records are maintained extremely well and written policies and procedures underpin important areas of the childminder's practice. They are clearly written, implemented well and readily available for parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a very good awareness of her role and responsibilities with regard to child protection, and knows the procedure to follow in the event of having concerns about children.

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provision

There is a clear commitment to the further development of the provision and the childminder demonstrates that she has the capacity to make improvements. For example, she has successfully addressed previous recommendations, which have a beneficial impact on the children attending. The childminder has positive approach to monitoring and reflecting on her provision, and uses her self evaluation form to give a realistic overview of her strengths and weaknesses. For example the childminder is actively working towards sustaining improvement in the provision for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

Effective links have been established with parents, who are invited to share what they know about their children's needs and interests. This assists the settling in period for children and effectively promotes continuity of care. The childminder also encourages parents to complete a questionnaire she has devised, which include very positive comments about the childcare and contributes to parents being involved.

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provision

Inclusive practice is promoted well so that all children’s needs are met successfully, and they make good progress in their learning and development regardless of background. The varied range of good quality resources are used very effectively and as a result, children are making good progress in their learning and development and are well supported by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very committed to the provision of high quality care and education and uses her knowledge of how young children learn and develop very well. The environment is organised to create stimulating and interesting play and learning opportunities that capture children's imagination and builds on their natural curiosity as learners. For example, at snack time children have the opportunity to chop up fresh fruit and the childminder uses very good questioning techniques to extend their knowledge and understanding. She encourages children to use their language skills to describe the fruit, its colour, size, shape and texture, which successfully contributes to increasing their knowledge and understanding.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The good health and well-being of children is promoted very well by the childminder as she offers children healthy food choices and opportunities for physical play, indoors and out. This effectively contributes to them developing a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude to healthy food and exercise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities and space and resources are organised for maximum benefit of the children. They can easily access resources and all toys and equipment are safe and suitable for the ages and abilities of the children attending. Inclusive practice is promoted well and the childminder provides very good levels of support to ensure children's individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning needs are met effectively. As a result children make very good progress in all areas of learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Planned, purposeful play and exploration, both in and out of doors, effectively contributes to children's enjoyment and learning. They have the opportunity to develop physical skills as they enthusiastically search for yellow items in the environment as part of the 'yellow themed day'. The childminder discusses with parents what children know and can do when they first start and completes written observations of children. However, these do not always feed clearly into the planning systems or identify the next steps in learning and development for individual children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is good and the childminder's high expectations and effective use of praise and encouragement ensures that children feel valued, develop a positive self-esteem and learn right from wrong in a caring and supportive environment. The childminder praises and acknowledges children's attempts and achievements, and children are confident with the childminder and in the environment and show an excellent sense of belonging. 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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