Sorrell, Michelle Ann

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 EY248548 Inspection date 23/09/2008 Inspector Rosemary Beyer

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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 family in a three bedroom house in Haxby, on the outskirts of York. She uses her lounge, dining room, conservatory and kitchen for childminding. The bathroom is upstairs. There is an enclosed rear garden for the children to use. The childminder can take and collect children from Headlands Primary School and the local playgroup. She also uses her car on occasions for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for children on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for nine children in total, of whom three are in the early years age group, all on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has completed the local authority approved childminding course and holds an appropriate first aid qualification. She has also completed two parts of the 'Steps to Quality'. The childminder has developed good contacts with other childcare provisions in the town through her membership of the local partnership.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder meets children's individual needs very effectively, using information from parents and her own observations to adapt her practice and the facilities available. Children are safe and secure at all times and enjoy learning through the well-organised play opportunities provided. They make good progress, given their age, starting points and abilities, with careful observations used to develop activities offered. Regular self-evaluation is used by the childminder, along with consultation of parents and children, to plan for the future and continuing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop resources and activities to widen children's knowledge of the natural world  continue to use observation and assessment to promote children's development effectively in all areas of learning.

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provision

The childminder has policies and procedures in place which are implemented very effectively to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. She ensures all recording is up to date and individual children's needs are respected.

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provision

The childminder has started to use the online self-evaluation form to monitor her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practice and plan for future development. She makes realistic judgements about the setting and her capacity to improve further, with comprehensive information and discussion of her practice. Parent and child questionnaires and verbal exchanges of information are also used to supplement the input and gauge satisfaction.

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provision

Children enjoy a wide range of activities on the premises which are safe and secure, with all persons having contact with them authorised to do so and appropriately cleared. The childminder has undertaken extensive training to ensure her knowledge of child development, health and safety and child protection matters is up to date. She is currently undertaking the 'Steps to Quality' quality assurance scheme. She also keeps comprehensive records for risk assessments, medication, accidents and parental permissions.

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provision

Parents receive a welcome pack which includes policies and procedures for them to acknowledge before their children start to attend, and contracts are completed to ensure both parties are clear about the service to be provided. They are given information each day about their child's activities and well-being. The childminder has contact with other agencies in the community through her membership of the local partnership, and obtains support for children who have different needs. Records are stored securely and confidentiality is well protected; a record of old files is maintained to ensure these can be readily accessed if needed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are settled and comfortable with the childminder, who is welcoming and caring, giving time to those who need more support. Children's personal, social and emotional development is fostered very well, the children becoming independent and confident individuals who select resources for themselves or ask for things not immediately available. They are developing very good social skills, fostered both on the premises and also by visits to groups in the town.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a stimulating well-equipped environment in which to play and learn. The childminder provides a mixture of adult-led activities with opportunities for the children to choose for themselves from easily accessible materials and resources. She has started to observe and assesses their play to ensure they are making good progress towards the early learning goals, taking account of their starting points and abilities. The childminder completes development records which are readily available for parents to see. Each child has a file containing photographs of their time with the childminder and showing activities both on the premises and on outings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Activities and resources are available to cover all the areas of learning, although children have few planned opportunities to learn about the natural world apart from books. Their interest in books is, however, fostered very effectively by the use of the library to provide variety and story-telling sessions, while books are readily available in the playroom, where children learn to use them carefully. All the children enjoy stories, and sit quietly to listen. They also develop their vocabulary and communication skills through conversations, with both the childminder and other children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder enables children to develop their own interests and experiment; for example, one of the younger children was keen to help himself to water from the water cooler, then play with it in the garden. He was enabled to have water to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

drink, in his own beaker, then given water in a bowl outside, with jugs and cups to pour. He splashed and played contentedly with the bowl, then decided to sit in it. They are also able to bake, trying different recipes, and complete imaginative artwork using a wide range of resources.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is fostered extremely well as they are cared for on premises which are clean, and where they learn to look after themselves through the implementation of effective hygiene practice. They also learn about the need to eat well and exercise to stay fit, and to keep themselves safe both on and off the premises. As part of their learning a visit to the dentist helped the children develop good oral hygiene and an understanding of healthy foods. This supported the diet they eat, as the children are keen to look after their teeth, with fresh fruit and vegetables an integral part of their meals. 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? Outstanding

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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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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted. The provider remains suitable for registration.

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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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