McGarry, Joanne

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 EY303280 Inspection date 23/03/2009 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and four year old daughter in a home located in a suburb of Preston in Lancashire. Local shops, play areas and schools are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden area available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children, four of whom are in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is qualified in childcare. She attends toddler groups with the children on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network with training and support accessed from the local authority Sure Start development consultancy.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides an extremely happy, welcoming and homely learning environment, in which children’s development and inclusion is successfully promoted. All children are making excellent progress towards achieving the early learning goals, given their individual starting points. Highly effective links with parents and other settings help to build positive relationships, ensuring the needs of each child are well met and their learning is complimented. There are particularly impressive systems in place to support most aspects of the setting. The childminder has an accurate understanding of her strengths and areas for bettering her childcare service, so enabling it's continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 use children's individual interests more to promote child-led learning and as a basis for planning future learning activities linked to the six areas of learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 27/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has put in place very effective methods to monitor whether what is provided for children is sufficient enough, amending and revising as children's needs change. Her evaluation of the service she offers is insightful and she has taken active steps to improve outcomes for children through gaining a recognised childcare qualification. Her commitment to improving her knowledge of childcare is worthy of praise, however, one welfare requirements is not met because her first aid certificate expired and her planned training did not take. Records show very few accidents occurring sine the last inspection. This is due to the childminder's keen safety awareness and the procedures and precautions that she has put in place. The childminder works extensively and cooperatively with parents as well as with other setting that children on roll also attend. The sharing of information verbally on a daily basis with parents and giving detailed written information in the

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provision

form of daily diaries, encourages excellent partnership working. Newsletters are used to ensure that parents are reminded about forthcoming planned events and activities so they can support and prepare their children in advance. By working well with parents the childminder feels that she can provide the best care for their children.

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provision

The childminder fully understands her responsibility to safeguard children. She has updated her awareness through recent training, shares her responsibilities with parents and feels confident to implement required procedures appropriately. Children are always fully supervised in their play, whilst being actively encouraged in developing safe levels of independence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder develops her good level of understanding of children’s individual needs and interests because she observes what they do on a regular basis and actively seeks information from their parents and others. Her knowledge of how children learn through play is underpinned by the child care training that has successfully been completed. Very young children are supported enthusiastically to gain skills and become independent learners. The organisation of play resources in the child centred home allows children to select from choice what they want according to where their interests lie. Because activities are closely matched to children's individual stages of development, they make steady progress along their learning journeys. Observations of this child-led learning are not always capitalised on to steer planned activities to match each child's interests so their learning is enriched more.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All ages of children are provided with varied experiences and support by the childminder. The childminder helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others as they learn to manage their behaviour and to develop social skills. The childminder maintains and scaffolds children's emotional well-being to help them to know themselves and develop self-confidence, therefore children feel happy and secure in this home from home, approaching her for reassurance and help when they need it. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is managed in a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported according to their age and stage of development. Children undertake art activities, watching and copying one another and selecting different colours when painting pictures of daffodils and using glue and the spreader when sticking cotton

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

wool to the collage pictures of a lamb as part of these spring influenced activities. Young children are using role play items from the play kitchen to copy what they see in their everyday lives. They stir the imaginary food in the pan and spoon this onto plates before giving one to the childminder and one to the inspector. Children enjoy visiting many groups like the toddler groups and the library where they socialise and take part in activities such as singing and dancing as they mix with other children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep safe because the childminder gives them opportunities, such as, practicing the emergency evacuation drill and learning about road safety so that their better awareness and understanding leads to improved personal safety. Children are becoming aware of the wider world through some play resources that reflect difference, such as black play figures, role play resources and books. The also mix with a range of different people at community groups. Children's awareness of other people's different cultures and ways of life are explored through tasting different food and recognising festivals through art and crafts. Children experience first hand where food comes from when they plant and tend different vegetables, such as, potatoes, lettuce and onions. They explore programmable toys and use the computer as they learn to press the arrow keys to complete the interactive games and learning activities. These learning

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

opportunities all contribute well to children's future economic well-being. 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? 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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR1.2) 27/04/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR1.2) 27/04/2009 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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