McAulay, Carolyn

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 204408 Inspection date 09/01/2009 Inspector Saida Cummings

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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 1992 and works with assistants and another childminder. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a residential area, situated on the outskirts of Worcester city. There are local shops, parks, playing fields, daycare settings and schools within walking distance. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and daycare settings. Children are taken on local visits and outings. A budgerigar is kept as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

All of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. There is a step leading to the main entrance of the premises. The main care takes place on the ground floor and the childminder is able to assist any children with specific needs to access the first floor. She has procedures to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and there are currently five children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She also cares for older children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She is currently working towards the NCMA Quality First quality assurance award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in the very well-organised stimulating environment. Their learning, development and welfare are exceptionally well promoted by the childminder. Their individual needs are extremely well catered for as the childminder supports each child with developing their skills in all areas, which promotes inclusive practice as all children are able to participate at their own level. The effective partnerships with parents, carers and other settings are exemplary. The childminder has developed an excellent system for self-evaluating the care and education provided. She consults with parents, carers and the children, constantly assessing the provision and her practice, and to ensure that a highly effective ongoing programme of improvement is in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the outdoor play facilities further to ensure children are given more opportunities to extend their experiences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's care is significantly enhanced because of the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop. The childminder is very committed to ongoing training to ensure that her knowledge is up-to-date and to continue to develop her practice. She has completed an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and regularly attends local appropriate training. Children benefit from the childminder’s commitment to further development as she ensures any changes or good practice are implemented into the care provided. The efficient organisation of the setting ensures that all the adults caring for children are kept fully informed and updated at all times. Children benefit from continuity of care as the childminder has developed excellent relationships with their parents and carers and other settings which are attended by children in the EYFS. This ensures that important information is shared through effective communication systems and that

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provision

individual children are able to make links in their learning. Parents and carers are fully involved with their children’s care and learning as the childminder has devised several systems to make sure they are able to contribute. For example, they have recently been involved with reviewing and updating all the policies and procedures, making suggestions for changes which have been implemented. The childminder has devised an excellent system for initially gathering all the required information from parents and carers to ensure she is made fully aware of each child’s starting point. This information is then used to plan exciting and interesting activities for individual children to enable them to progress in their early education and skills. Parents and carers are kept constantly informed about their child's day through informal discussions and by using the two-way communication books.

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provision

The childminder uses an extremely effective self-evaluation system ensuring she involves everyone in the process. This includes consulting with the parents, carers, assistants, co-minder and the children. She identifies specific improvements to be targeted under each area of the childcare provision and implements these into the ongoing action plans. These are regularly reviewed and further plans are made to continually make improvements. As a result, children thrive in the stimulating environment as the childminder is able to make continuous improvements to all aspects of their welfare, learning and development needs. Children welfare is safeguarded extremely well as the childminder has a very good understanding of the known indicators of child abuse and the action that she should take in the event of a concern about a child in her care. Risks of accidental injury to children are effectively minimised because the childminder constantly completes

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provision

comprehensive risk assessments and takes immediate action to ensure children are kept safe and secure in everything they do.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with extensive opportunities to enjoy a well-balanced selection of adult-led and child-led activities. The childminder plans exciting and stimulating activities around each area of learning, taking into consideration the children's individual interests and experiences. She further supports individual children’s learning and development by linking in with other providers and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consulting with parents and carers. For example, as part of some of the children’s development with recognition of colours she consults with the local nursery to extend some of the activities they offer into the home environment. She also uses children’s own experiences as this included involving parents and carers who provided pictures of their cars which are then laminated and used for playing various games to help children recognise the different colours. The childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

effectively uses observations of individual children's play to plan developmentally appropriate activities which enables each child to move on to the next stage in their learning. Each child has their own 'learning journey' folder containing assessments of their learning and developmental progress, as well as photographs of them enjoying activities and having fun, which are regularly shared with parents and carers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is an excellent role model and creates an environment that encourages children to respect boundaries and begin to control their own behaviour. Inclusive practice is promoted extremely well as the childminder encourages children's positive self-esteem and respects all children's backgrounds and any specific needs. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully included in all activities and play. These are tailored to meet their individual stages of learning to ensure they are able to take part and develop at their own pace. Children’s awareness of the world around them and the wider society is encouraged though a range of activities and outings. This includes outings within the local community and regular visits to other settings where they have the opportunity to mix with other children of their own age group. Play equipment and other resources are well maintained and include positive images of differences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent opportunities to develop their skills in communicating, literacy and numeracy. Their language skills are developed through their love of books and story telling, as well as encouragement to join in with relaxed and interesting conversations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s safety and well-being are very well promoted through effective health and safety procedures. They enjoy a varied diet of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Children’s independence is developed and nurtured as they confidently make decisions about what they would like to play with and have many opportunities to develop their basic skills, such as pouring out drinks and buttering their toast at snack time. Children thrive as they enjoy an extensive range of physical activities and have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. However, the outdoor play facilities need further development to enable children to extend their experiences, such as gardening and experiencing various outdoor materials. 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? 1 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? 1

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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?

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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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