Forsyth 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

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Unique reference number 510180 Inspection date 18/02/2009 Inspector Juliette Jennings

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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 2000. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder at the same address and their two adult children in the town of Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is registered for childminding, though the downstairs generally is used and the dedicated play room in the garden. The family have a dog, rabbits, guinea-pigs and a tortoise as pets. There is a good sized garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, or 12 when working with another childminder or an assistant and is currently minding five children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 14 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from local schools and pre-schools and attends several childminding groups and other activities on a regular basis. She is a member of the local childminding network and is proactive in supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is qualified to Level 4 in an appropriate childcare qualification and is currently working toward her Foundation Degree status in early years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. In addition, there are some areas of outstanding practice. Strong and effective partnerships with parents and links with other agencies fully supports the individual needs of all children within an inclusive, caring, homely and family orientated environment. The childminding service fully reflects the ongoing access to extensive training and keenness to continually develop the provision for children. Detailed and extensive systems, policies and procedures are implemented to ensure that children can progress and develop securely in a safe environment which promotes child-initiated learning. The childminder is totally committed to ongoing self-evaluation in order to provide a consistently strong, caring and exciting learning space where children's individual care needs are sensitively and lovingly met.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for ongoing observations and assessments in order to plan for children's ongoing progress towards the early learning goals consolidate the systems for self-evalauation in order to continue to improve the very good outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are supported well because the childminder works closely with her co- childminder to deliver an inclusive, supportive and caring service for children and their families. Partnerships with parents are extremely strong and are an outstanding aspect of this childminding practice. Parents benefit from detailed daily verbal communication and have access to diaries, notice boards, photographs and extensive policies and procedures to support consistency of care for all children. The childminder utilises other forms of communication such as the telephone, text messaging and emails to ensure that parents are as informed as they can be about their children. In addition, effective links with outside agencies and professionals ensures that the individual needs of all children attending are met very well.

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provision

Robust systems are in place to ensure that children can explore, investigate and develop their play in a secure and safe environment. Daily visual safety checks as well as completion of thorough written daily, weekly and annual risk assessments for the environment and for outings ensures that children are safely cared for. Security in and around the home is good, children are supervised very well and there were no safety issues raised at the time of the inspection. The systems for safeguarding children are outstanding, with the childminder accessing enhanced training in this area to ensure that she can promptly and skilfully address any concerns about children's welfare. Detailed procedures and strong links with external agencies through her work as a network childminder fully support and enhance this aspect of the provision.

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provision

Access to training is ongoing and frequent this addresses areas where the childminder wishes to increase her knowledge and understanding. The ideas and skills acquired are quickly implemented so that the setting can continue to provide strong outcomes for children. She is developing her systems for self-evaluation, but is very good at recognising and acting upon any areas highlighted for improvement. She actively seeks advise and attends training in order to help her continue to progress her provision. In particular, the childminder is looking at developing the systems for ongoing assessment and planning for the future progress of individual children towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder uses her knowledge and experience effectively in close partnership with her co-childminder to continue to provide a caring, welcoming and homely environment for the children in her care. Extensive written policies and procedures are in place which reflect the good and sometimes outstanding practise evident in the childminding service.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are relaxed and confident in an exciting, interesting and colourful learning space where they are supported well to engage in child-initiated play. For example, a good amount of time is spent colouring fairy and princess pictures and face- painting in the garden, with positive reinforcement from the childminder to extend and support concepts of colour, turn-taking and counting. Children make marks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with a variety of resources such as pencils and crayons and enjoy looking at favourite books quietly on the sofa. Younger children enjoy snuggling in and having a cuddle after lunch. The childminder encourages a calm, respectful and family orientated environment whilst supporting all children in a capable, relaxed and caring manner.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to a wide range of suitable resources and activities which enable them to become aware of the wider world around them. For example, resources which promote positive images of diversity are readily available within the toys on offer and adult-led activities explore festivals and other significant events. In addition, the very close partnership with parents and links with other professionals ensures that children's individual needs and routines are fully accommodated within this well-organised childminding space.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to become independent learners and develop their self- esteem and confidence because they are supported to make decisions about what they want to do whilst attending. So, children choose to play outside for most of the afternoon and continue this choice when having their snack and tea outside. The childminder provides activities and resources which interest the children, whilst helping with their development and progress towards the early learning goals. There is some scope for improvement within the systems for providing planned activities using individual assessments, making clear links to the development matters stages in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure all children continue to make progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a range of healthy snacks and meals. Parents can provide packed lunches, which they enjoy in a social time, chatting about what they like and do not like or about issues that are important to them. Children are able to take a drink when they wish as the childminder provides individual, age-appropriate cups and prompts younger children to take a drink frequently. Records and documentation are well maintained to ensure children's health needs are met. Children have extensive opportunities to access the outdoor area and other outdoor activities. They enjoy visiting local play areas and countryside walks and take trips to the coast or to local nature reserves.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's home is very well organised so that children are able to choose what they wish to play with within a homely, caring and relaxed environment. Toys and resources are readily available at low-level within the designated play room and children are able to access their favourite activities as and when they wish to. They can have a quieter time in other parts of the house if they wish and spend considerable time in the garden. A child-orientated environment is fully enabled due to this positive organisation of the childminders home. 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? 1 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? 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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