Walker Karen Elizabeth

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 EY302618 Inspection date 26/02/2009 Inspector Jenny Read

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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 has been registered since 2005. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She currently cares for two children in the early years age group on a part-time basis during the week and two children in the early years age group on a Saturday afternoon. The childminder walks to local schools and playgroups to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged one and eight years in the Wymans Brook area of Cheltenham. The main areas used for childminding are the dedicated conservatory play room, dining room, sitting room and upstairs bathroom facilities. An upstairs bedroom is available for sleeping. There is an enclosed rear garden with patio and decking surfaces for outdoor play. The childminder holds the Nursery Nursing Examination Board Diploma in Childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's individual needs are met to a good standard. The childminder is proactive in ensuring she has sound knowledge of their individual needs through well-developed partnerships and good communication with parents, ensuring they form an integral part of the setting. The spacious, dedicated play space and extremely well organised resources maximises children's independent play and learning experiences. Children are progressing well in their learning and planning and assessments are evolving to ensure focus and challenge of activities are more meaningful and radiate from children's next steps. The childminder is developing the systems for monitoring and evaluating the quality of the provision, recognising the need to address outstanding safety issues, extend the record of risk assessment and improve knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the record of risk assessments to show all hazards to children in the home and garden and carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken  continue to develop the observation, assessment and planning systems to ensure activities link closely to children's next steps and track their progress more effectively across the six areas of learning  increase knowledge of safeguarding procedures to protect children from harm and abuse This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm and commitment to providing consistently good quality care and education. Although opportunities to attend training and develop her own personal and professional development has been limited, the childminder takes useful steps to ensure many outcomes for children are continually improved. The childminder is responsive to the needs of the children and parents and places high emphasis on nurturing close relationships and promoting an inclusive setting. Children become confident and independent learners benefiting from well organised, nicely labelled resources and inviting play spaces. Children's pictures and art work decorate the doors, valuing and respecting their achievements. The younger children benefit from quality time with the childminder while older children attend other settings and particular attention is given to dividing play spaces to enable the older children to concentrate and play

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provision

with more intricate toys and games safely.

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provision

Children benefit from good relationships between their parents and the childminder. The sharing of general care information, children's activities and achievements, photographs and the sharing of policies and procedures and a useful information sheet ensures parents are well informed about the setting and their child's care and learning. Letters from parents about various aspects of care and children's learning indicates that parents reflect on their children's care and support the childminder in monitoring the setting. In addition, contributing to the daily diary and informal daily discussions, working closely with other professionals to provide a service focused on specific needs of the family and beginning to forge links with other settings children attend, results in a responsive service for children and parents.

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provision

The childminder has sound awareness of a number of written policies and procedures. However, the written statement of safeguarding procedures is not in place. Consequently, the childminder has very basic knowledge of current procedures to follow with a child protection concern to ensure children are well protected. Reflection of practice through commencing the self-evaluation process ensures the childminder has good awareness of key strengths and most areas for development. Through the process of evaluating what she does, the childminder thoroughly addressed the recommendation from the last inspection. She is keen to extend the current observations and assessment systems to ensure they purposefully inform planning and challenge children's learning. A record of risk assessment for some outings and many aspects of the home and garden are in place, although not complete. Overall, children's records and documentation

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provision

contain accurate details and are well maintained.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare and personal health care needs are well met because sound systems are in place for the administration of first aid and medication. Children know hand washing routines and practices and describe clearly how they need to wash their hands with soap after using the toilet because of germs. However, hand This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 washing is not encouraged following nappy changing to introduce healthy toileting practices. Children take an active part in meal time routines, helping to find their named placemats and laying the table. They enjoy a well-balanced menu and have plenty of milk or diluted squash at meal times to keep well hydrated.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to cross the road safely through daily practises and gain good awareness of potential dangers through clear explanations about safe play. Children play in a secure home where suitable safety precautions have been taken to minimise most hazards to children inside and in the garden. Occasional explanation of the escape plan helps children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy daily opportunities to be active and have fresh air. Walks to and from school, enables them to observe their surroundings and talk about what they see. Children have fun in the snow and develop strength, agility and control as they negotiate obstacles at the soft play centre and use bicycles and various outdoor equipment in the garden. Purposeful support encourages the youngest children to develop co-ordination and strength as the learn to stand and hold the childminder's hands to practise their early walking.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are happy, curious and eager to learn. They are making good progress in their learning from their individual starting points, benefiting from a bright, vibrant play room and ample space to play and learn. The wide range of stimulating toys and life-like resources are clearly labelled and displayed in low- level storage units around the room. This has a positive impact on their confidence to explore independently and on their motivation to learn. Skilful interaction and purposeful support during play encourages children's interests and play ideas. As a result, the children have lots of fun making patterns with shiny stars and numerous coloured media and materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are imaginative and use their own first-hand experiences in their play, the younger children stir their spoons in the metal 'home corner' saucepans and pretend to eat food and make cups of tea. They investigate the sounds the metal pans and objects make and smile and jump with glee as they listen to music and join in familiar songs and rhymes. The childminder has a good awareness of key areas of learning for individual children, completing personal plans for children and providing a balance of child-initiated and adult-initiated activities. However, observation, planning and assessments are in their infancy, meaning systems for linking children's learning and tracking their progress is restricted. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children and make this available to parents (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/04/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above. 30/04/2009 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

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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