Campbell, Lesley

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 EY253874 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Gill Ogden

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 11 and seven, in Brigg, north Lincolnshire. Only the ground floor of the home is used for childminding which has toilet faculties. There is a fully enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. Amenities such as schools, parks and shops are within walking distance. The childminder also uses her car to transport children. The family keep two dogs, a rabbit and guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently looks after five children on a part-time basis, all of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder uses her experience to provide a safe and homely environment which supports children's care and learning. Close working relationships with parents and the local school help the childminder to meet each child's individual needs. A wide variety of activities are planned and provided to ensure that on the whole all children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is reflective about her practice and is beginning to organise her thoughts to help ensure ongoing improvement in the service she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of observations, including those from parents and others involved with the child, to more clearly identify learning priorities and better support children's progress towards the early learning goals  consolidate the system for self-evaluation to fully ensure ongoing improvement.

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provision

All the required records are maintained effectively to provide a robust framework for children's care. Policies and procedures are written in a conversational style that makes them easily understood. The safeguarding policy in particular comes across very clearly and links well to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. A solid system is in place for ongoing risk assessment and the childminder maintains a tidy environment for the children which helps to minimise accidents. Children's health and safety is further assured because the childminder is careful to keep her first aid certificate current. Additional training when possible This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is done so that the childminder keeps herself up-to-date with any new initiatives. Most recently she has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is generally reflective practitioner and has identified some

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provision

improvement she wishes to make such as creating a vegetable garden and improving the planning for individual children. She has also taken action to remedy the recommendations made at the last inspection so that now her paperwork better supports children's welfare needs. However, she has not yet consolidated her system for ongoing self-evaluation to fully ensure the continuous improvement of her service.

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provision

The childminder offers parents a variety of ways for information sharing such as daily diaries, informal chats and planned meetings outside of childminding hours. This means that all parents have a way which best suits them to be regularly involved in their children's care and learning. The childminder has a history of working closely with the local school which further impacts positively on the well- being of the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

As a result of the childminder knowing each child's interests well she sets out appropriate resources for them each day so that they can enjoy playing as soon as they arrive. Children move around the home confidently and safely because the layout enables this and they know where each type of activity is carried out. For example, in their eagerness to finish making their Mother's Day cards they were keen for the childminder to prepare the table in the kitchen. The childminder is currently developing a picture inventory of all the toys she has so that children can look at it to help them make decisions for themselves what they would like to play with. All play resources are stored in a large, walk-in cupboard where both the children and the childminder can go in and find what they want easily. Good garden space which includes fixed play equipment and a wooden gazebo for shelter means that children can play outdoors whenever they wish and during

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

good weather they are able to do all activities there.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans for a key activity each day which provides children with a good variety of learning opportunities over the week. For example, they may go to the nearby supermarket to buy ingredients for baking, take a picnic to a local country park where they can walk in the woods and climb trees or visit the market to buy seed to feed the birds that come into the garden. In school holidays they venture further afield visiting places such as a quiet beach or a science museum. These activities effectively support children's learning in all areas and enable them to socialise with others outside the home. The childminder ensures that each child's interests are taken into account when planning activities and gives them plenty of opportunities to practice their skills and develop new ones. In the home, for instance, children are encouraged to learn about each other so that they understand why some of them are able to do things that others cannot. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are very patient and caring towards a baby who is just learning to walk and take notice when the childminder explains to them that because the baby has been unwell this has made the baby want to be cuddled more. Children's progress is observed and recorded by the childminder and also comments made by parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are taken into consideration when establishing what children can do, but as yet observations are not yet used effectively enough to fully identify key learning priorities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop good personal hygiene habits and are well-supported to learn how to keep themselves safe. They know they must wash their hands when they have been touching the animals and learn to behave respectfully with them so that no one gets hurt. They are prompted by the childminder to use their manners and even those who are just developing their language attempt to say 'please' and 'thank you'. 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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