Atkinson, Susan

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 EY298257 Inspection date 28/11/2008 Inspector Andrea, Marie Paulson

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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 2004. She lives in Shap, a rural village near to Penrith, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor, apart from the living room, is used for childminding along with an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The garage has recently been converted into a play room, particularly for school age children. She is registered to care for no more than six children at any one time and is currently minding 21 children who attend for various sessions. The childminder is registered to care for two children overnight and works with an assistant when needed. Facilities nearby include shops, schools and library, with more places to visit in the surrounding area and nearby town. The childminder has two pet cats and a rabbit which is kept outside. She supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She has a play work qualification, has frequently attended additional training and is currently studying for an National Vocational Qualification

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Description of the childminding

(NVQ) at level 3 in home-based child care. The childminder has experience of working with the Social Services Department to provide family support and respite care and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children very much enjoy their time having fun and learning in the well organised, inspiring and stimulating environment. The childminder has generally good knowledge and understanding of how to promote their welfare effectively and children make very good progress in the safe and inclusive provision. The effective implementation of policies and procedures helps to ensure children's safety, although the complete risk assessments were not available at the inspection the childminder is aware of hazards and how to keep children safe. Children benefit from the childminder's evaluation of her provision and her commitment to maintaining high quality care and parents are well informed. The childminder is pro-active in developing her knowledge regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to further promote children's individual progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 consistently take steps to prevent the risk of infection, with particular regard to the spreading of germs by coughing, and ensure that written parental emergency consent to seek medical help is to hand  ensure that the risk assessments are available and reviewed  develop knowledge regarding the EYFS to further promote children's individual progress This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is committed and continually strives to further improve the already good quality of service provided for children, including revising practices and attending many training courses. She organises the resources and rooms to supervise all play areas and make them equally accessible to children throughout their time there. The childminder identifies key strengths and areas for development, for instance, a particular strength is her ability to engage children in meaningful and stimulating activities. An area for improvement identified is to build on her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to further promote individual progress. She also implemented a recommendation at the previous inspection to further develop her knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework.

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provision

The childminder has a strong understanding of safeguarding issues and the local procedures to be followed if she had concerns about a child's welfare. Safety checks are undertaken daily and risk assessments identify hazards, although the complete set was not available at inspection. Children are kept safe through alert supervision and effective safety practices, both indoors and outdoors. The appropriate individual details are discussed with parents and recorded so that each child receives individual care, the exception being that emergency medical consent was not available at the inspection.

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provision

The childminder is well organised, providing a welcoming, colourful and inspiring environment, where children have much freedom of movement between the rooms and many stimulating resources to choose from. Children's self esteem and confidence are therefore promoted well. She is aware of children's individual needs which enables her to provide appropriate care for each child. The childminder is particularly skilful in organising challenging and fun activities for the wide age range of children who attend. She provides a completely child-centred environment and is conscientious about enabling children to have fun while they learn through play.

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provision

The childminder builds positive relationships with parents through sharing information about the provision and regular feedback on their progress. Parents are informed about daily activities so that they can be continued at home so reinforcing children's learning. She also has close contact with the local school which helps to build partnerships and support continuity of children's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and is successfully starting to adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage to her practices. Children enjoy an extensive range of interesting and stimulating activities to help them make progress across all areas of learning. A wide variety of resources are easily accessible to enable children to initiate their own ideas and make independent choices. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder dedicates her time to playing and interacting with the children. She clearly has very warm and positive interaction with the children who are confident and uninhibited in their self expression. The childminder is skilful in knowing when to be actively involved in their play and when to leave children to develop their own initiative. She is developing interesting ways to link activities to the early learning goals using observations, photographs and the children's own

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

work to identify abilities. The childminder treats each child as an individual with their own skills and different rates of progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy visits to the local park and playing in the garden where they are able to climb, slide, run around, ride bikes and play in the ball pool, which all help to develop skills in coordination, whilst they have fun. Their physical experiences are extended as they go to soft play, dancing and music groups. They enjoy the feel of playing in sand on the floor, the use of textured materials for art activities, the smell and feel of foods when baking. Their sensory development, creative skills and sense of achievement are well promoted through such activities. The childminder builds on children's curiosity by encouraging them to watch the snow flakes and talk about them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children practise pre-writing skills as they draw, paint and print. They become interested in books as they choose stories, learn familiar words and letter sounds. There is much conversation to encourage communication skills, self expression and to learn vocabulary. Children solve mathematical problems as they sort red and yellow cars into the boxes when tidying up. They develop computer skills as they explore the white board and learn to follow computer programmes. Children freely access a range of resources that reflects our diverse society, which develops their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They celebrate birthdays, have a party all together at Christmas and become aware of different festivals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Their health and safety are generally very well promoted. They learn about healthy eating, as the childminder provides a range of nutritious home-made meals and snacks. She is a trained chef so has specialist knowledge and awareness of nutrition and allergies. A menu shows tasty meals, such as sausages, mashed potatoes and fruit so that children enjoy healthy foods. Children sit around the table together where they learn good manners, such as saying 'thank you' unprompted. The childminder sometimes takes them out to lunch which extends their experiences and social skills. Their independence is promoted as they help prepare their own snacks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

She supports children in adopting good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection, with a minor exception being children not covering their mouths when coughing to help prevent spreading germs. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, when crossing roads on outings and sitting safely. The toys and equipment are in good condition and accessed easily and safely by children in the secure environment. 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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