Hodgson, Carol Anne

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY317570 Inspection date 19/03/2009 Inspector Rachael Flesher

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years. The family home is a semi-detached house, with an enclosed rear garden, close to Middleham, in Wensleydale. Children have access to the ground floor. The family have a pet dog, a rabbit and fish. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children and is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, on a full and part-time basis. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and a member of the National Childminding Association. Links are in place with local schools and providers.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder safeguards children and promotes their welfare through her warm and caring approach and effective practice, underpinned by clear policies and procedures. Good systems are in place for evaluating the practice and provision and the childminder has begun to plan for improvements. Highly effective information sharing systems ensure strong partnerships with parents and other professionals that in turn ensure children are consistently supported, and their individual needs met. Children are appropriately challenged, stimulated and are making exceptional progress towards the early learning goals as meaningful personalised play and learning experiences are planned for each child, significantly enhanced by highly effective interactions from the childminder.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop systems to further estabish childrens starting points  continue to develop systems for evaluating the practice and provision to further identify key strengths and areas for developement and set targets for improvement accordingly

p.3

provision

The childminder has very organised systems in place to ensure all children are included, safeguarded and their welfare promoted. Documentation, policies and procedures are in place, implemented, reviewed and shared with parents, ensuring the efficient management of the setting. Effective risk assessments ensure children's safety and the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow. Good hygiene practices are adopted and children's good health is promoted very well. The childminder has excellent information sharing systems in place with parents and other professionals and is committed to partnership working, which ensures all children are supported to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 develop to their full potential. Parents are fully involved in their child's learning and development and children's care and welfare needs are met through the effective

p.3

provision

two way flow of information. Partnerships with schools and other providers where children attend further promote continuity in their learning and care.

p.4

provision

Parents are consulted on their views and highly praise the childminder on the quality of care their children receive and how well they are progressing. The childminder uses the questionnaires, the Ofsted self-evaluation form and other reflective tools to evaluate her practice and provision. As a result, she has a good understanding of her strengths and areas for development and has begun to set targets for improvement accordingly. The childminder accesses support and training provided by the local authority and shares good practice with other childminders to ensure her knowledge is up to date. The improvements made following the recommendation set at the last inspection have had a significant impact on developing children's understanding of, and attitudes to, diversity and difference.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The setting is warm and welcoming, children are extremely happy and they receive lots of positive encouragement and affection. Detailed information is gathered from parents to help children settle and provide for their needs and individual care routines are followed in line with home. As a result, warm responsive relationships between the childminder and children are established and children are polite and well behaved. Children's work and a range of photographs are displayed around the setting to help children feel valued and included. They are given opportunities to learn to equally value and respect those who are different from themselves and supported to develop positive attitudes to diversity and equality. Resources have been carefully chosen to promote positive images to reflect the diversity within and beyond the setting, that successfully challenge children's thinking and promote discussion. The childminder teaches children about how to keep themselves safe

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

and healthy. Meals are nutritious and well balanced and children are encouraged to try a range of vegetables, fresh fruit and textures to develop their palates. Good hygiene practices are consistently promoted and ample opportunity for physical exercise is provided. Children learn about road and personal safety when out on walks and when using resources that require care and concentration.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests, learning styles and to identify their starting points. She uses these observations, and her in depth knowledge of child development, to identify key learning priorities and plan personal, meaningful and motivating learning experiences for each child using the early learning goals. This information is recorded in their learning and development files which fully demonstrate how the childminder is enabling children to make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development and are thoughtfully presented to engage parents interest. Parents contribute to these files, however systems for gathering information from parents to further identify what children know and can do are not yet fully developed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder tunes into children, taking her lead and direction from what they

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

say and do, becoming involved in their play and skilfully enhancing their learning. Her careful observations and in depth knowledge of each child ensures she provides the right balance between allowing children time and space to become involved in deep learning experiences and knowing when to step in to effectively support and scaffold their learning. Resources and activities are attractively presented and easily accessible to all children to enable them to choose and direct their own play and learning. These are carefully selected to engage and sustain their individual interests and are used to encourage them to explore, investigate and learn across the six areas of learning. For example, using a child's current interest in cars to promote his creative development and develop his interest in books.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Outdoor play is highly valued by the childminder and daily opportunities for outdoor activities and learning are provided in all weather. Exciting experiences are provided to develop children's knowledge and understanding of the world such as digging in the garden, growing their own vegetables and observing the wildlife. They use the local area and public services such as the surrounding countryside, swimming pool, shops and mobile library to further extend children's learning. Children thoroughly enjoy going for walks to see the lambs, feed the ducks and investigate the fish in a nearby pond. They attend local toddler groups and visit other childminders which provides further opportunities for children to develop their social skills and friendships. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8