Cutler Gina

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 EY305874 Inspection date 20/03/2009 Inspector Marilyn Joy

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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 lives with her husband and two children aged over eight years in Ashley, New Milton. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a secure garden for outside play. A cat and a rabbit are the family pets. Schools, shops and parks are all within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to accept a maximum of six children under eight years. She is currently caring for five pre-school children and 10 school-age children, of these four are over eight years. Children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly attends local parent and toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Excellent measures are in place to support children's health, safety and well-being. Indoor and outdoor play areas are exceptional and offer exciting opportunities for children to flourish and make good progress in their learning. Partnerships with parents are outstanding and contribute towards children's confidence and strong sense of belonging. All children are welcomed and their individual needs effectively met. Regular monitoring ensures that areas for further development are identified and acted upon in order to continually improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the system for identifying and tracking children's achievements and planning their next steps for learning.

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provision

The childminder is an extremely well-organised and dedicated practitioner who puts children first in all that she does. She provides an extremely exciting and supportive environment where children make good progress towards the early learning goals. She has drawn up comprehensive policies and procedures which help her care for children effectively. Detailed risk assessments ensure she is able to identify potential hazards and take steps to eliminate risks to children in the home and when on outings. The childminder's excellent understanding of her responsibilities means that children's welfare is safeguarded and they are protected from harm. The premises are secured to prevent unwanted visitors and so that children are unable to leave unaccompanied. All the required documentation to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 support children's welfare is in place and maintained to a very high standard.

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provision

Excellent relationships are developed with parents. They are extremely well- informed about the care their children receive and the service provided. Daily diaries include details of children's routines and achievements, whilst the informative prospectus contains copies of the childminder's policies and procedures whilst the notice board has more general information. Valuable time is spent sharing information verbally which helps to forge strong and effective partnerships. Parents comment that their children are very settled and they are extremely happy with the care and learning they receive.

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provision

The childminder strives for continual improvement. She has fully addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection by ensuring she maintains a current first aid certificate and has emergency arrangements in place when she goes on outings. She is aware of her strengths and identifies areas she wants to develop further. For example, she recognised the value of having blackboards outside for children to chalk on, but noticed that the height was not suitable for all ages so she added more boards and, as a result, all children could participate.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children flourish in an atmosphere where they are valued and encouraged. Frequent praise and encouragement boosts their self-esteem and fosters a strong sense of belonging. Children have fun and are happy in their play. Simple, but extremely effective, behaviour strategies help them to understand what is expected and to behave well. Children are offered a broad range of activities that interest and challenge them. The stimulating and well-organised play areas encourage learning in all areas of their development. The garden offers apparatus for climbing and sliding, a play house, areas for developing skills in manoeuvring wheeled toys, practising mark-making and counting. Children find out about the natural world around them when they plant and grow seeds or go for walks in the park. They investigate different media and materials when filling and emptying containers in the sand or exploring the texture of cornflour and water.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A broad range of good quality resources are easily accessible indoors which encourages children to be independent and make their own choices. Play areas are welcoming with colourful displays and posters decorating the walls. Art work is valued and children proudly point to their own collage of a daffodil, saying 'That's mine'. A variety of pictures and words are displayed linked to the different themes they have been exploring, such as types of homes and buildings, which helps them become aware that text has meaning. They have access to a range of story books and listen attentively when the childminder enthusiastically reads them a story, although there are few reference books for them to choose from. Children's communication skills are effectively encouraged through relaxed conversations and valuing early attempts at speech. The childminder supports learning well and provides an effective role model. She makes clear and measurable observations of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

what children can do and is beginning to use this information to assess children's achievements in each area of learning. However, the system is not yet fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 established to track their progress or reflect their next steps across the areas of learning, so that the childminder can ensure activities are focussed at the right level for individual children. Children have good opportunities to learn as they play because of the positive involvement of the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The welfare of children is promoted extremely well. Arrangements for managing their health and safety are exemplary. The safety and security of the premises allows them to move around freely choosing what they want to do. A healthy lifestyle is encouraged through daily routines such as healthy eating, exercise and activities in the fresh air. Children are encouraged to develop independence in the personal care, such as washing their hands and dressing themselves. Health and dietary requirements are fully incorporated into daily menus and activities so that children's individual needs are met. Children are extremely happy and settled. They benefit from the excellent partnerships developed with parents and the childminder's commitment to providing high quality care. 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? 1 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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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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