Wheeler, Milagro Eva

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 EY301798 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Carol Readman

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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 2005 and is on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband two school-aged children in a house in Andover, Hampshire. Shops, parks and town amenities are within walking distance. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. Toilet facilities are downstairs. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time. She is currently minding four children, all in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children at the setting are very happy, confident and relaxed in a setting where they are making excellent and sometimes exceptional progress in their learning and development. The childminder provides an inclusive and welcoming service where all children feel very special and highly valued and have their needs met. She supports personal and social skills especially well. There is good capacity to improve as the childminder has fully updated her practice to meet the requirements of the new Early Years framework and is continuing her training to extend her qualifications.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the written beaviour management policy shared with parents reflects the positive behaviour management strategies used at the provision, in line with ensuring two-way flow of information

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provision

The setting is very well organised to care for children. All the required documentation is in place and stored confidentially. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents. However, the written behaviour policy does not reflect the highly positive approach used in the setting. There are excellent relationships with parents. Parents truly appreciate the skill of the childminder and all work closely together to ensure excellent continuity of care and maximise children’s potential learning. Parents describe their children as coming on in ‘leaps and bounds’.

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provision

The childminder uses the space well to provide a stimulating environment for children. She ensures that she plans a wide range of varied activities for the children. They quickly become absorbed in their play, laughing excitedly as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play in a pop-up tent or help each other to look for the date, day and weather to put up on the setting's calendar. The childminder records their achievements in ‘Learning journey’ books. Children are keen to show visitors to the setting the photographs of them as they learn to climb up ropes at a local soft play venue and visit a cathedral with 'a really tall ceiling’.

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provision

The childminder reflects on her provision and makes improvements that have a positive impact on the health and safety of the children. For example, the childminder has introduced reflective clothing to wear when out in inclement weather, improving children’s safety. She evaluates activities, looking for ways to make them even more fun and successful in extending children’s learning. There are excellent measures in place to safeguard children’s welfare and promote their development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children relish their time at a setting where all play very well together. The children are confident and have high self-esteems, readily accepting the challenges set by the childminder. For example, they search excitedly to find the number 30 and try hard to recall the day and the month, putting them on calendar when they find them. Their behaviour is exemplary and they are developing caring attitudes to others both at the setting and in the wider world. Books and stories of other cultures and countries help to promote positive attitudes to diversity. Children learn basic words in another language as part of valuing others. The childminder encourages children to make decisions about their play and they are able to choose from a wealth of resources. This results in fun days where they enjoy a session on musical instruments or decide together that no one has to be ‘out’ in musical chairs because all are having too much fun taking part. The childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

skilfully supports children in developing social and personal development, helping children understand their feelings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The setting is a bright and stimulating environment where the childminder promotes children’s health and safety very well. Safety is a high priority and the childminder goes to great lengths to minimise hazards and help children learn how to keep themselves safe. Children are developing healthy lifestyles, learning the importance of good personal hygiene and how to make healthy choices in their diet. They benefit from daily outdoor play in the garden, visiting the local play park and walking to collect their friends from school. They visit local toddler groups and the library where they meet more friends and enjoy listening to stories and learn about playing instruments from visiting musicians. Children use their problem solving skills to stretch out the picnic mat before snack and work out who is the tallest, measuring themselves on the door frame.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a wealth of fun activities. They develop imaginations, enjoying dressing up as fairies, making dinner in the play kitchen and pretending to chat on toy mobile phones as they drive around the sitting room. They learn about festivals as they help each other find chocolate eggs during a traditional Easter egg hunt. Children discover the natural world around them by feeding the birds. They take part in craft activities, proudly model their latest creations, smiling broadly behind This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the colourful masks. There are especially warm and caring relationships between the childminder and the children. The childminder knows the strengths and capabilities of all the children in her care. She works consistently to ensure that she fully promotes their welfare and development to support them in reaching their full potential. Children thrive in a happy, vibrant setting where they have

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

great fun with a very caring childminder. This is a setting where every child matters. 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? 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?

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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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