Penk, Heather Marie

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 EY293138 Inspection date 22/10/2008 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

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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 with her partner and one child aged four years old . They live in Boughton, Chester and the house is within walking distance of shops, schools, toddler groups, parks and libraries. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, this comprises of the front and rear lounges, kitchen and dining area and downstairs toilet. One bedroom upstairs is used to provide overnight care for children. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a total of five children at any one time under the Early Years register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to enable her to care for older children. There are currently a total of 14 children on roll some of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group plus a childminder group on a regular basis. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's excellent partnership with parents and the provision of wide and varied activities, ensure that children make excellent progress in all areas of learning and development. The childminder’s in depth knowledge of children’s individual needs plus the organisation of her home, helps to create an inclusive environment. The provision of plentiful and varied resources ensures that children make excellent progress in their learning and development. They benefit from the thoughtfully laid out play spaces, where toys and resources are set out in such a way that promotes their independence, as they self-select which ones they want to access. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate policies and practices which comply with current legislation. The completion of a formal and very detailed self-evaluation document is extremely effective in identifying the childminder's strengths and also

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

areas where she believes there is room for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop children's understanding of a healthy eating, as they participate in long term growing projects, for example sowing seeds and growing their own fruit and vegetables.

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is very well organised and ensures that her home is a welcoming and safe environment for children to play in. She is fully aware of her responsibility to safeguard children and through training and literature she updates her knowledge of revised procedures and current legislation.

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provision

Risks to children are effectively managed and eliminated through the use of a very detailed risk assessment document, which includes the fire drills records. The childminder meticulously completes a daily risk assessment check list. The childminder has improved her provision by addressing the two recommendations made at her last inspection. Since then the low level glass in the conservatory has been made safe and accurate records of when children are present maintained. The childminder has devised comprehensive policies, a copy of which is given to each parent prior to care commencing and these are reviewed annually or sooner if required. The childminder is totally committed to the provision of quality care and education and she seeks out information that keeps her updated on early year’s issues.

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provision

The childminder involves the children in the planning and evaluating of the activity programme and she uses questionnaires for the parents to complete as she seeks their thoughts and views. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where children with learning difficulties or disabilities are well provided for through effective practice and good policies and procedures. Children learn through play about the differing needs of people not only in the local community but also in the wider world.

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provision

The working partnership developed between childminder and the parents is excellent. Parents are kept up to date with information through discussion, phone calls, emails, and written information and newsletters. They regularly receive photographs and a more detailed assessment on their children at the end of each term. The childminder actively seeking self evaluation and welcomes parents’ comments and their suggestions about the service she provides with extremely positive feedback. The childminder has developed very good links with local schools and other providers and this has a significant and positive impact on the care, learning and development of the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

On arrival children are greeted warmly by the childminder and they eagerly join the other children present, to participate in the carefully planned activity programme. The imaginative range of activities and experiences promotes their learning in all of the six areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive superb support from the childminder who uses settling-in visits for them to gain confidence and feel secure. The childminder obtains detailed information from parents prior to care commencing and plans her weekly routine, taking into consideration their ages and individual developmental needs. Children are cared for in a stimulating environment where they are offered a wide range of diverse and challenging experiences and activities. For example, there are books and small world toys some of which reflect people from many cultural backgrounds This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or who may have a disability. The childminder has pictorial information about children and people using sign language as a method of communication, and specially designed board games for children with little or no sight, which ensure their needs are met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a wealth of good quality play resources some of which develop their physical skills, creative development and also introduces the younger children to simple mathematics. For example children have 'all weather clothes' thus enabling them to have fun and play outside in all weather conditions. They regularly access play in the local park where they have swings, climbing frames and benefit from the wider open play spaces where they take their bikes, footballs, parachutes and skateboards. Children are beginning to learn how fruits and vegetables grow, as the childminder has allocated them an area of the garden, which will be used to develop their understanding of long term growing projects and healthy eating. When planning the menu children help her to decide on the shopping list of items needed for their tea and then they go off to the local shops to purchase the required items. Children are given the money to exchange for their goods and the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

shopkeepers carefully count out the change and the items purchased. Children's communication, language and literacy and their creative development are enhanced as when they have listened to the story of the 'Three little pigs' they created their own houses made from junk modelling materials. The childminder is enthusiastic, highly motivated and skilled in promoting children's learning. Children also use selected television programmes, videos and music to compliment their learning. For example, books and pictures plus a supporting DVD 'people who help us' made the children learn about more fully the work undertaken by the different agencies. Another programme about recycling informs children of what happens when rubbish is put into a bin. Children then have their own 'recycling' bins, each with a different coloured lid on and they know and understand which items go into the different coloured lidded bins. This promotes the children’s understanding of the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

world and their economic well being with a head start.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures children’s understanding of the need for good personal hygiene routines by reminding them to wash their hands through a colourful poster displayed in the toilet. A healthy lifestyle is further promoted as they are provided with a varied range of nutritious snacks and meals and are made aware of the benefits of participating in physical play and exercise. Children learn to move with control and co-ordination, as they learn to balance and participate in activities such as hopping, jumping and skipping. They learn the effect that exercise has on their body, for example, feeling how fast their heart beats after running.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to share and take turns when playing games and the childminder constantly praises them for their achievements and uses appropriate strategies to reward good and positive behaviour. 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? Outstanding 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? Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Outstanding

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Outstanding How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Outstanding

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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

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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