Bennett, Maxine Elizabeth

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

p.1

Unique reference number 303956 Inspection date 17/12/2008 Inspector Suzette Butcher

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1989 and lives with her husband and adult son in Hartford, Cheshire. The childminder works in partnership with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. There are also contingency plans in place to call on a number of registered assistants in the event of an emergency or sickness. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years at any one time. When working with her husband, the two childminders are registered to care for 16 children under eight. There are currently 33 children on roll, of whom, 10 are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Respite and emergency care are also provided. Children attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools and pre- schools. Children are taken to local toddler groups and on outings in the area. She is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and Vale Royal Childminding Network. The childminder and her husband achieved a level 3 NCMA Quality First award in 2008.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is very professional and demonstrates an exemplary commitment towards continual improvement and providing outstanding care and education for children. Every child benefits from the very strong inclusive ethos that threads through all aspects of the setting. Parents and professionals value the flexible arrangements and the caring family atmosphere very highly. Children's welfare needs are rigorously safeguarded and they develop independent, active learning in the highly stimulating and challenging environment.

p.3

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.3

further?

 explore further ways to facilitate the flow of information with children's other providers within EYFS.

p.3

provision

The childminder sets exceptionally high goals and aspires to maintain the best possible standards of care and education for children. The timetable for each day is rigorously planned and recorded to provide a very secure and supportive system where the organisation is focussed on the needs of individual children and their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 family. As parents state, the partnership between the childminder and her childminder husband is very professional and works 'like clockwork' to create 'a house full of happy children'. A very strong family ethos is promoted where every child and their family are warmly welcomed and children are valued as uniquely special. Parents and professionals value the flexibility and particular strengths of the setting which provides a rounded and nurturing environment for children. Respite or emergency care is promptly organised on request to accommodate

p.3

provision

children with additional needs and support their families. Periods of transition are smoothly managed with 'great insight' and superb care for children. The childminder also provides practical support for parents, such as adapting routines or providing emergency overnight care. She works sensitively and very effectively in partnership with parents and professional support agencies, such as speech therapists or physiotherapists, to identify children's individual learning needs. Diversity is actively promoted and children's home languages and cultures are valued and reflected in their play and learning. This creates a fully inclusive environment where every child is valued highly as an individual.

p.4

provision

The childminder promptly identifies any gaps in her knowledge and she has completed an exemplary training programme. The very high quality of continuous improvement within the setting is evident from the large number of changes and ongoing improvements since the last inspection. For example, the childminders jointly achieved a level 3 Quality First NCMA accredited award in 2008. Critical, reflective practice creates rigorous self-evaluation systems that clearly identify and prioritise areas for improvement and outline action plans for the future. The childminder welcomes critical feedback from children, parents and colleagues in her local childminder network. Parents consistently respond very positively in questionnaires and state that the very high quality of care and education provided has exceeded their expectations. Partnerships with parents are excellent with clear policies and procedures available. Comprehensive information about children's

p.4

provision

welfare needs and general progress is shared informally in daily chats and through the child's profile. Close links are beginning to be formed with providers of other EYFS settings that children attend, for example, pre-school and reception class. Children's welfare needs are consistently safeguarded through comprehensive documentation and very effective procedures. Robust risk assessments are recorded and reviewed on a regular basis.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and relaxed in the homely setting. Excellent settling in procedures are followed and children quickly develop close relationships with the childminder. The childminder knows each individual child extremely well, which helps them to feel confident and settled and allows them to make extremely good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder's previous childcare experience and recent training further enhance her excellent knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of the EYFS. This creates a very firm foundation for children as they follow their individual learning journey and make the very best of their abilities and talents. A very good mix of planned, structured activities and time for free play, both in and out of the home, provides a balance of adult-led and child-initiated opportunities. Well organised observation and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

assessment procedures monitor children's progress. Children's key strengths and their next steps in learning that require more support are clearly identified and used effectively to inform future planning. Additional learning and development needs are skilfully identified and provided for in individual programmes. In addition, this information is shared with the children's parents, providing them with a continual up-to-date overview of their child's stage of development.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The home is very well laid out to allow children to move from room to room freely and have plenty of space to play. Children develop good independence in their self-help skills as they help themselves to drinks or manage their own personal care in the accessible toilet area. Equipment is of a very high quality and is stored to enable children to make choices about their own play and develop active learning. Equipment is extended to include a variety of languages and positive images of diversity. Many resources support children's understanding of diversity and encourage them to learn to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives. Opportunities to socialise, join in with group activities and explore different challenges are provided through visits to toddler groups, library sessions and outings to places of interest. Children develop an excellent knowledge and understanding of the world around them as they explore the natural world on

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

outings, grow their own sunflowers or help to care for the birds and wildlife in the garden. Informal learning opportunities are explored through interesting practical experiences, such as counting how many more birds or experimenting with different shapes, colours and textures. The benefits of fresh air and exercise are strongly promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle. Children walk to school and back and have fun creating a 'walking bus' with a driver and conductor. The childminder talks to the children constantly, providing opportunities for them to engage in conversation, answer questions, extend their vocabulary and share their own thoughts and opinions. The children's enthusiasm, along with the childminder's ability to extend their learning with interesting and exciting activities, allows them to develop habits of independent and inquisitive learners.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder sets high standards to safeguard children and encourages children to recognise potential risks and hazards as they learn how to keep themselves safe. Children are polite, considerate and well-behaved because they reflect the childminder's calm, consistent and respectful example. Children happily share and take turns as they acknowledge each other's feelings and take care of each other. Whole group activities, such as creating a large painting on textured paper or cooking, encourage children to solve problems and work together to produce the finished result. Children's good health is promoted as stringent procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection, such as the use of individual hand towels and encouraging children to develop good hygiene habits at mealtimes and when using the toilet. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 1

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection

p.8

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.

p.8