Sharon Howe

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 EY382097 Inspection date 06/04/2009 Inspector Vivienne Dempsey

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 has been registered since 2008. She lives in the Headland area of Hartlepool with her husband and daughter who is 18 years old. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. She lives close to a number of local amenities including shops, parks and schools.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She is currently caring for five children of which two are in the early years age range.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has experience of working as a classroom assistant and has a level 2 play qualification and a level 3 diploma in home-based child care. She provides overnight, holiday and before and after school care.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a proactive approach to continuous improvement. She attends regular training and continually looks for ways to improve the quality of the learning, development and care she offers. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where all children and their families are valued, safe and included. Good links with parents have been developed to ensure the childminder meets the individual needs of all children well. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals, as the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning and development requirements.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills and keep a detailed record of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

p.3

provision

The childminder recognises the importance of evaluating the provision she provides. She is keen to attend further training to improve her knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. She works closely with local authority advisors to identify areas of her practice she needs to develop and strengthen and uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to highlight all areas for improvement. This helps to promote outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 A wide range of policies and procedures are in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. These are shared with parents informing them of the service provided. Written permission is requested from parents at the time of the child's admission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future, protecting children's health. All records for the safe and efficient

p.3

provision

management of the setting are maintained, helping to meet the needs of all children.

p.4

provision

All children are safeguarded, as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and who to contact with any concerns. The childminder ensures all areas of the home are safe for children to play in, daily checklists are completed and a range of safety equipment is in place. For example, smoke alarms are fitted and a fire blanket and extinguisher are in place. A clearly defined procedure for the emergency evacuation of the premises is in place. However, evacuation drills have yet to be carried out, this does not fully protect children's safety in the event of a fire.

p.4

provision

The childminder works closely with parents, building good partnerships to ensure good communication links. A wide range of practical information is collected through the children's records and the daily two-way sharing of information keeps parents informed of their children's progress and ensures children's needs are met well.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care, developing their confidence and self-esteem. They have a positive approach to learning and eagerly join in activities. For example, they enjoy making Easter chicks and are keen to help prepare their own snack. The childminder provides opportunities for children to understand and adopt healthy habits. She encourages them to wash their hands before preparing snack and after toileting and children confidently talk about 'washing the germs off'. Children are provided with a range of healthy foods for snack and drinks are readily available, helping to keep children hydrated and nourished. They have good opportunities to be active and enjoy playing in the childminder's garden and visiting the local beach.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

A wide range of resources are independently available and children are able to make choices about what they do. The childminder knows children well. She uses observations of children's learning and development to plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development. This helps children make good progress towards the early learning goals. Mark making materials are freely available and reception age children confidently write their own name, while helping and encouraging pre-school children to write their name. Children display high levels of involvement in activities, for example, children enjoy playing with the ark and spend long periods of time matching the animals. They name the different animals and the childminder supports their play and learning well. She talks to them about the differences between male and female animals, for example, the lion and lioness, promoting children's learning and knowledge of

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are very well behaved and the childminder supports their good behaviour with lots of positive praise and encouragement. They have access to a range of toys and interactive books to promote their awareness of ICT. For example, they enjoy listening to interactive books, pressing buttons to make sounds and talking about the sounds they make. This helps to develop their skills that contribute to their future economic well-being. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

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? 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?

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 registration.

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