Robertson, Angela Michelle

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 EY377774 Inspection date 25/02/2009 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and son aged six years. The family live in Eckington, a suburb on the outskirts of Chesterfield and Sheffield. The family has a dog. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities on the first floor of the premises, is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll of which, two children are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a very good partnership with parents and takes time to develop a good understanding of children's individual needs to promote inclusive practice successfully. She ensures the learning environment is accessible to all children to enable them to freely choose activities, test their abilities and discover new skills within safe boundaries. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, be healthy and maintain their personal care in a well-organised environment. Learning opportunities to help children make some progress are acceptable, however, the use of observations to plan personalised experiences are very much in their infancy and do not clearly link to the six areas of learning, and links with others providing the Early Years Foundation stage are not yet established. Self-evaluation is adequate at this stage and targets for the future are accurately identified.

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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 to plan and provide experiences which are personalised and tailored to meet the needs of individual children  establish links with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development.

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provision

The childminder keeps a good standard of records on children in her care. This includes very detailed information about children's individual needs. A very good range of policies and procedures are shared with parents to support the care of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children and to comply with regulations. Records are very clear, up-to-date and ensure safe management of the provision to promote children's welfare, learning and development. The childminder is sufficiently focused in helping children to make progress in their learning and development. She aspires for quality, which is evident from her commitment to attend future training events. She has begun to evaluate her service but this is very much in its infancy, and although it identifies targets for improvement, the action required is not yet prioritised. This is her first inspection since registration and she is determined to involve parents and children

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provision

in a meaningful way in the self-evaluation process.

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provision

The childminder recognises that parents know their children best and when they start in her care, she collects important information, including what the children's interests are, likes and dislikes and any care routines. Parents are kept fully informed on how their children are cared for and what they achieve each day by receiving verbal and written information. For example, detailed daily record sheets are used and observation records are routinely shared. The childminder has begun to use photographic evidence to share with parents their child's development. Parents are asked to express their views through questionnaires and discussion. They praise the setting highly and appreciate the open, trusting and friendly relationship that has been established in a short period. Therefore, many aspects of children's welfare are successfully met ensuring they are safe and secure and are at the heart of all that happens in the setting.

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provision

Children are cared for in a secure, clean, well-maintained and well-supervised environment. Rigorous risk assessments are completed for both the premises and any outings. Safe and suitable toys and resources that stimulate and challenge are easily accessed and babies sleep safely and comfortably and are frequently monitored. The childminder has good knowledge of how to protect children and is vigilant about signs and symptoms of possible abuse. She is well aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is well aware of how children learn and develop. She interacts enthusiastically, engaging with children in activities, which are developmentally appropriate. Her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is beginning to emerge. The planning for individuals to ensure each child receives a suitably challenging range of learning experiences is very much in its infancy. The childminder generally bases her activities on the observations she makes so that they are broadly matched to children's individual needs. As a result, children are making some progress in their learning in relation to their starting points. However, to ensure effective continuity and progression, the childminder has not yet established a system for sharing information with others providing the Early Years framework.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted well by the childminder reducing possible risks and by her taking a range of positive actions to encourage healthy eating. For example, a high priority is given to ensuring children understand about good personal hygiene, that parents are fully aware of the procedures should their child be ill and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 by taking very positive steps to keep the premises and resources clean. Meals are freshly prepared from fresh wholesome ingredients according to the dietary requirements of the children and they are often encouraged to help prepare snacks and meals. Children are provided with plenty of opportunities for physical play through activities that help them to develop confidence and move their bodies in various ways. For example, dancing to music and doing actions to songs. They learn about direction, position and following instructions, which also build up

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

language skills. Good practices in place help children learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe. They learn about fire safety, road safety, stranger danger and the dangers of water.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes a calm environment where children are happy and confident. She makes children feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement and treats all that happens as an opportunity for children to learn. For example, she responds to babies’ babbles by talking constantly to them as she puts socks back on, counting them and she talks through her actions 'let’s get your bottle' 'come on its time for snack, it’s banana today'. The baby responds by giggling, shouting out, reaching up and smiling. Very good warm, caring relationships are evident and this is reflected as children are relaxed, settled and are confident to explore, make decisions and relate well to others. 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? 3 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 registration.

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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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