Leadbeater, Elizabeth Jane

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 156849 Inspection date 31/03/2009 Inspector June Fielden

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 16 in Five Oak Green, Kent, close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of the conservatory and a bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed area of the garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children in the early years age group. The provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and the childminder offers care for older children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local nurseries and regularly attends toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a caring environment for children and uses her knowledge of children's individual needs to successfully promote their welfare and learning. She has an effective partnership with parents, and liaises with others involved in children's care. The childminder plans children's activities to ensure that they benefit from the time that they spend with her. Most of the required permissions from parents are in place. Through self- evaluation she is aware of her main strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that wires for the pump to the pond are included in the risk assessment  continue to develop systems for using observations to assess children's progress

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain written parental permission at the time of a child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary medical advice or treatment, in order to promote their welfare (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 14/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder keeps parents well informed by displaying details of her planning and daily timetable. She also provides parents with information on the Early Years Foundation Stage and explains how she follows this in practise. The childminder also makes children's records available to their parents on request, and provides information about their general wellbeing in their daily diaries. Parents know that they can contact the childminder at anytime to exchange information with her and they are made aware of her complaints procedure. The childminder accommodates parents wishes and seeks their opinions to assist her in meeting children's specific requirements. The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding issues in order to protect children from harm.

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provision

The childminder has attended training since her last inspection to keep her knowledge up to date, and discusses relevant issues with other childminders at the groups she attends. She has efficiently completed a risk assessment of her home, which is regularly reviewed, and the childminder also completes these for outings, although she has currently omitted to include some wiring in the garden, which is accessible to children. The childminder has effectively identified some of her key strengths as the way in which she encourages children to have a good relationship with each other, to show respect, and to share anything they have brought to the setting. Also, the way in which she communicates with staff at other settings children attend, to find out about what they have been doing and any goals they have achieved there. The childminder has addressed issues raised as recommendations at her last inspection, such as making a wider selection of toys

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provision

accessible to children, including those that promote their understanding of disabilities and different cultures. In addition, she has improved her safety arrangements by ensuring that the large paddling pool she had in her garden is no longer available for children to use. Through her self-evaluation the childminder realised that she needed to keep a record of her fire drills, and now has a log book in place to improve the safety of her setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with activities that cover all areas of learning, and there is a pictorial timetable to make them aware of what they will be doing each day. By using this the childminder is able to involve older children in planning their day. There is a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities, and the childminder finds out about children's starting points through her discussions with parents before a child starts attending her setting. The childminder makes regular observations of children which include quotes from them, showing that they are making good progress in their learning and development. Although at present the childminder is still developing her systems for using observations in order to assist her in assessing children's progress more extensively. She asks children questions to extend their play and develop their language skills. The childminder has a broad range of equipment for them to use in the garden to enable them to exercise and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

develop their small muscle skills, including a slide, see saw and push along toys. Children are encouraged to count during everyday activities, such as objects in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pictures of the books the childminder reads to them. One child started counting the little figures they placed in a toy bus. Children are taken on visits to farms and other places of interest to develop their understanding of the world around them. The childminder discusses different cultures with children and teaches them about festivals from other countries, such as Chinese New Year.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are made aware of how to keep themselves safe, as the childminder talks to them about traffic and other dangers when they are on outings. There are many efficient safety measures in place in her home, including stair gates to prevent children accessing areas of her home unsupervised, smoke alarms and catches on kitchen cupboards. There is a wide range of toys and equipment that is appropriate for all minded children. The childminder uses well organised strategies to manage children's behaviour, and has rules and limits which they are aware of, to help them develop good habits. She works with parents to ensure that they both use the same methods, to promote continuity of care. The childminder provides children with electronic toys that make sounds and have flashing lights, to encourage them to be inquisitive, and develop their understanding of information technology. She allows them to develop their independence by getting them to put

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

on their own coats and shoes when they go out. The meals which the childminder prepares are made from fresh ingredients. Hygiene routines are in place to ensure children develop healthy habits, such as washing their hands before they eat, and using their own towel to avoid cross contamination. Due to an accidental omission on one set of forms the childminder used, she has not yet obtained written permission for the emergency medical treatment of all the children that she minds. Although she is aware of the appropriate action to be taken in the event of such an emergency. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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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