Sutton Deborah

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 EY287540 Inspection date 24/11/2008 Inspector Valerie Thomas

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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 and lives in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the ground floor of the property and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding and access is via a pathway on a slight incline. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). There are arrangements in place with the local school that children attend.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Generally, the childminder provides effectively for children in the EYFS. She knows the children well and works closely with parents to ensure their child's welfare is promoted appropriately. Relationships with other settings that children in the EYFS attend are in the early stages of being developed. There is a varied range of activities provided, however, the procedures for assessing each child's progress are not fully effective. Systems for evaluating what the provision offers are basic, although, the childminder has taken positive steps to meet the recommendations identified at the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the methods for recording observations and assessments and use these to identify and plan the learning priorities for each child, matching the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals and involve parents in the process  strengthen the partnerships with other settings that children in the EYFS attend  develop the system for self-evaluation further; for example, through use of the Ofsted self-evaluation form and/or other quality improvement processes  improve the range of resources and activities that help to develop children's awareness of diversity.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and ensure that all records are easily accessible and available for inspection; this relates to the medication records. 22/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures and clearly understands her role in reporting any concerns. All areas within the home are safe and secure and visual risk assessments are completed. However, there is no written record kept of these risk assessments in line with the requirements of the EYFS. Most other documentation meets requirements, although, there are no medication records available for inspection. There are many written policies available which are given to parents. Changes to the procedure for sick and infectious children help to ensure children's health is promoted effectively. Partnerships with parents are further developed through discussing the individual needs of children and ongoing dialogue ensures they are kept informed of their child's well-being. However, they are not fully involved in the observation and assessment process. The childminder liaises with the local school that children

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provision

attend discussing their homework, however, this is not extended to sharing any other information to ensure that each setting complements the welfare and learning for individual children.

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provision

The methods used for self-evaluation are basic. The childminder has support visits from the Local Authority and meets with another childminder to discuss practices. One of her main targets for improvement is the method for observing and assessing children's progress. However, her evaluation does not take account of the other areas identified as part of this inspection. The childminder meets all training requirements and updates her knowledge through attending various training, for example, 'Health Promotion' and 'Equal Opportunities'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Generally, children's welfare is promoted effectively. The dietary needs of individual children are discussed with parents and any meals, snacks and drinks that the childminder provides are mainly healthy and nutritious. There are many opportunities for all children to play outside in the fresh air and daily walks to and from school ensure they are all active. They are taken on many trips into the local community such as visiting the local library and museum and going to 'Pet City' to look at the animals. Their knowledge of the wider world is further developed as they look on the internet to find out about Pakistan, although, the range of resources to raise children's awareness of diversity is limited. Safety is a key factor when trips are undertaken and all children are helped to stay safe through the appropriate boundaries set by the childminder. In the home they take part in regular fire drills and safety gates placed in appropriate areas ensure all children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are relaxed and happy in the care of the childminder. The home is warm and welcoming and the satisfactory range of toys are organised effectively to enable all children to make decisions about their play. For example, they confidently find the balls in the tub to play with and the childminder extends their play by encouraging children to roll the balls along the floor, developing their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical skills. Children make good progress in their social skills. They are very independent, wiping the pictures off the chalk board and helping to feed themselves. Behaviour is managed well. Children stop throwing the toys across the room when asked and the praise given to them as they play helps them to develop a good level of self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children concentrate well as they sit and look at the pictures in the book and the childminder develops their language further through reading stories and asking questions. Young children enjoy making marks with the chalks and develop a sense of themselves through learning about the parts of their body as they draw. Activities such as painting, making models and playing with the sand and water outside enable all children to develop their creative skills. A varied range of electronic toys develop all children's awareness of technology and they enjoy pretending that they are talking on the telephone. The childminder's positive interaction during children's play ensures they have a positive attitude to learning and enables them to develop good skills for the future. For example, the childminder encourages children to name the colours of the beads as they push them around the frame and develops counting skills as they play with the cars.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is aware of children's individual interests and arranges the play area to meet their needs. The system for observing children's play and making assessments of their progress are in the very early stages of being developed. Written observations are made, however, these are of all the children playing together rather than for individual children and they are not matched to the learning areas within the EYFS. Consequently, the learning priorities for each child are not effectively planned for. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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