Wilson, Eileen

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 225560 Inspection date 01/12/2008 Inspector Janice Walker

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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 has been registered since 1999. She is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Bottesford, near Grantham. The home is within walking distance of local facilities including schools, shops, park and pre-school. It is accessible with car parking available at the front of the house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding along with the bathroom on the first floor. The rear garden is used for outdoor play. The family keep several pets including a Labrador dog, three cats and two African grey parrots.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time. She provides care all year round. The childminder does not have use of a vehicle but walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a local carer and toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a registered foster carer for the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides good quality care which supports children's individual welfare, learning and development needs. All children are made welcome and are happy and settled. The childminder plans activities based on their unique interests and abilities, therefore they are interested and engaged and make good progress. Policies and procedures, which are shared with parents, are effective in ensuring that all children are included in all aspects of the provision. Good partnerships with parents and others ensure that children experience a well-balanced range of activities and experiences throughout the day. The childminder evidences a good awareness of her strengths and areas for improvement and has established effective systems and contacts to support her in continuing to develop and improve her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop planning to ensure that children make maximum progress across all areas of their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 15/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has developed a useful range of policies and procedures which support the safe and efficient management of the provision. She gathers a wide range of information from parents and maintains records meticulously to ensure she is able to meet children’s individual needs. The home is safe and toys are well organised to enable children to make their own selections regarding their play. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving her provision. She has attended numerous short courses to enhance her knowledge of relevant childcare practices and actively seeks information to support her development. She has made effective links with other local childminders, makes very good use of information from the internet and relevant literature and seeks and acts upon advice from other childcare professionals. Her recent self-evaluation evidences a good understanding of her strengths and helped her to identify areas for future

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provision

Parents are provided with good quality information about the setting and a ‘learning journey’ journal keeps them informed about what their children have been doing. Parents provide detailed information about their children at the start so that the childminder can respond appropriately to their needs. All records are shared with parents which supports consistency and continuity of care. The childminder has established effective links with other providers and, through verbal exchanges of communication and a daily diary, ensures that appropriate information is shared to support children's individual needs.

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provision

Children are very well protected as the childminder has comprehensive risk assessments in place, both of her home and of routine outings such as visits to the shops and the daily school run. She undertakes daily checks of areas used by children and makes effective use of safety equipment to minimise the risk of accidents. She provides high levels of supervision and organises her home so that children remain within close proximity. Play materials are suitable to children’s levels of ability and are stored so that they can access them safely and independently. The childminder has a comprehensive working knowledge of relevant safeguarding children procedures and has relevant contact numbers readily to hand if needed. She provides parents with written information so that they are clear about her responsibilities within these.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and has a sound understanding of how they learn through play. She provides a wide variety of toys which children freely and independently access, making their own decisions regarding their play and therefore developing high self-esteem. She makes some useful observations and uses these to identify individual children’s next steps in development. She then organises activities which provide an appropriate level of challenge. However, systems are newly developed and are not yet secure in ensuring that children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making maximum progress across all areas of their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have close relationships with the childminder, openly displaying their affection for her and her family through physical demonstrations and confidently making their needs and wishes known. They engage in animated conversation as she engages with them in play and she further encourages their communication through questioning and discussion. Babies happily smile, gesture and vocalise as she interacts with them. Children develop a strong sense of belonging through looking at photograph albums excitedly pointing out themselves and their friends at play and recalling the events at the time the photograph was taken. A range of resources including small figures, dolls and books reflect positive images of differences in society. The childminder uses these along with resources and information on the internet to initiate discussions which raise children’s awareness of the wider world. Younger children particularly enjoy playing with battery

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

operated toys, developing their hand-eye co-ordination as they press buttons, lift flaps and turn dials to discover sounds and visual effects. Pre-school age children enjoy requested art activities, practising their cutting skills and exploring colours and textures as they freely create, using a wide range of art and craft materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted well because they are cared for in a clean and well- maintained environment where they enjoy healthy meals and regular fresh air and physical activity. Clear arrangements are in place with parents regarding children who are ill to help minimise the risk of spread of infection. This is supported by good hygiene arrangements, such as no shared towels, individual linen for sleep times and appropriate arrangements for the care of the family pets. Procedures for dealing with accidents are mainly good although, in updating her documentation, the childminder has overlooked obtaining written consent from some parents for urgent medical treatment. Appropriate steps are taken to ensure children’s safety, for example, younger children are secured in pushchairs and children learn safe places and rules regarding crossing the road. As the childminder monitors the premises, toys and equipment on an ongoing basis to ensure they remain suitable

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and safe, children are able to play and explore their environment safely. She encourages positive behaviour and respect for others through her good example, high levels of attention and consistent messages about what is right and what is wrong. Through her gentle support and reminders, children begin to be able to share and take turns and learn to take into consideration the needs of others. 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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