One In A Million Alternative Education

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 141604 Inspection date 10/06/2009 Inspector Dorcas Forgan

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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 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 1996. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Olney, Buckinghamshire. Shops, toddler groups, a park, library and other amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder takes children to and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

Childminding takes place on the ground floor, with sleeping facilities and the bathroom on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for three children in the early years age range, at any one time. She currently minds 16 children all on a part time basis, three of whom are in the early years age range and a further three are under eight years.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The children have formed loving relationships with the childminder and enjoy being in the comfortable surroundings where they play happily. The childminder has very good systems in place to promote the children’s welfare and to ensure they make good progress in their learning. She understands the needs of each child through the close partnerships that she has with the parents. Each child is treated as a unique individual. The childminder has begun to evaluate her own practice and to identify areas that she needs to develop.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the evaluations of the service and include parents views.

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provision

The childminder has all the necessary policies and procedures that are available for the parents to read. She keeps the necessary documentation effectively and confidentially so that she has all the relevant details about the children in her care. The childminder has a wide range of well maintained and interesting toys and resources. She has improved these since her last inspection by providing additional resources to reflect diversity of other cultures and positive images of people with disabilities. She has attended various additional courses to ensure her practice is up to date and relevant. The childminder has very good procedures in place to ensure the safety of the children. She regularly monitors the safety in the home, having regard for the developmental stage of the children, for instance, whether she needs to use the stair gate. The childminder maintains high levels of hygiene in the home. She treats all children with equal concern. The childminder works

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very closely with the parents; they exchange verbal information daily. The childminder makes observations of the children and keeps written diaries to ensure that parents are fully informed of the activities their child has taken part in and the daily routine. The childminder has started to evaluate her provision but does not formally ask the parents for their views.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are very well settled with the childminder and are becoming confident. They are involved in the normal routines of a home, such as collecting the post and watching the window cleaner. They play happily in the lounge where they have access to a variety of toys. The childminder changes these daily, the children request others as they wish, such as the baby pram and dolls. The childminder has a very good understanding of the areas of learning and how to provide these for the children to suit their abilities. She helps them to make progress, for example, encouraging their vocabulary by repeating words and introducing new ones. The children are learning to play next to each other, share and take turns. They are gaining confidence when socialising with other children and adults and enjoy taking part in groups, such as ‘Little Song Birds’. The observations that the childminder makes of the individual children help her to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

monitor the progress that the children are making. From these she plans activities to develop their skills further and motivate them, such as introducing messy play in a group situation so that children follow others lead and become more adventurous.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a regular routine for the children which is as close to the parents' as possible but includes trips to the pre-school and school to collect older children. The children are adopting healthy routines as they are frequently in the fresh air walking to different amenities, taking part in picnics or playing in the garden. They are learning good personal hygiene routines and to eat healthy options. Drinks are available to them throughout the day. The parents provide all the meals for their children; the childminder ensures that they are stored correctly and heated appropriately. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through the childminder’s clear guidance. They are learning to care for others and to understand that other people have different needs. 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? 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

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