Adam, Heather Louise

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 EY318242 Inspection date 26/01/2009 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and five years in a house in Aldershot, Hampshire. The whole of the downstairs is used for minding and upstairs is used for sleeping purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The premises are near to local schools, parks, shops and transport facilities and are accessed via a level path from an adjacent parking area. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There is one child aged 20 months on roll within the early years age range and an older child who attends before and after school and occasionally during the school holidays. The family has a pet cat.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning. This is due to the childminders secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and her ability to observe and assess children's development. Children's individual needs are well met. They are fully included in activities, for example, at toddler groups, and are beginning to develop a positive sense of identity through the friendships they form with others. Self-evaluation includes aims that are likely to bring about improvements to the provision, although this does not include sufficient attention to potential safety hazards.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure written observations and assessments of children's progress are shared more regularly with parents

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure cleaning substances are made inaccessible to children (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 27/01/2009

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provision

Children are very happy and settled because the childminder has a caring and attentive approach. She is currently completing an early years qualification, and makes good use of her increased knowledge to introduce changes that result in ongoing improvements. For example, written observation is now used to track This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's progress, parents receive written details about their child's day, and there is an increase in home based activates. Children's welfare is safeguarded and most recommendations from the last inspection have been met, although cleaning materials continue to be accessible. This is a risk to children's safety.

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provision

Partnership with parents is good. The childminder uses questionnaires to obtain parent's views, and acts on their suggestions to make improvements to the provision. For example, parents are invited to accompany the childminder and their children to toddler groups, so they can observe their interaction with others. Letters from parents include very positive comments such as 'the childminder is like our fairy godmother, and we are very lucky to have found her'. Record keeping systems and comprehensive policies and procedures are well organised and kept up to date.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled. This is due to the reassurance the childminder provides, for example, when they arrive with their parents. Children have a good range of experiences because the childminder provides a range of activities that suit their individual needs and stage of development. They take part in creative activities such as painting, collecting sticks, stones and leaves to make collages, and develop good independence as they cut up fruit with a safe knife for snack time. Children develop their senses as they handle cornflour, manipulate dough, and use sand in the garden. Photographs show them developing physical skills, as they use large equipment at the local park and during regular visits to toddler groups and a play gym. This means children also have good opportunities to form friendships, and are beginning to show affection towards others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy the activities due to the childminder's interaction in their play, and the encouragement and praise she gives to help them achieve their aims. She consistently talks with children, asks questions that extends their learning, and can clearly say how children have made progress since they started. This is evident in relation to their good speech and language development, and the independence they show within their play. The childminder is observant of the confidence that children gain with using resources, for example, as they learn to switch on battery operated trains.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children who have English as an additional language make good progress in their language development. This is due to the childminders commitment to ensuring her communication with children and their parents. For example, family members are asked to interpret and provide words in the children's first language, which the childminder embraces and uses everyday.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children show great interest in using the resources which the childminder makes easily accessible. For example, they like choosing cars that are familiar, and know the different colours when asked. Children enjoy mark making at the kitchen table and are beginning to show interest in looking at books and listening to stories. However, the lack of child height-furniture means that children cannot access creative resources without help. Children are provided with a healthy diet, which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 includes lots of finger food and fresh fruit. They are encouraged to try different dishes, such as rice and won tons to celebrate Chinese New Year.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Each child has an assessment book which includes written observations which the childminder uses to link to learning and development guidance. Most observations effectively evaluate what children have learnt or achieved, as well as including samples of their work and lots of photographs. A written summary at the end of each term includes an overview of how children are making progress, as well as clear objectives for each area of learning. However, the wealth of information in children's assessment books are not shared with parents on a regular basis. This means that the good verbal communication that exists with parents is not enhanced through the use of documentation. 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? 3 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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