Nevitt-Haggard, Donna

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 EY312674 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Catherine Hill

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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 2005. She lives with her child, aged eight years, in Church Crookham, Hampshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age range at various times during the week. She also offers care to four children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks or drives to local pre-schools and schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has five cats, a cockatiel, indoor fish and also keeps chickens.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children play very happily in the welcoming environment of the childminder's home and make good progress with their learning. The childminder has a very good understanding of children's individual needs and ensures all children are included in activities at their own level and pace of learning. She is very enthusiastic about her role and has considered areas for development to further improve her practice, including accessing further training to continually develop her own knowledge and skills. Documentation to support her practice is generally well detailed and maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop self-evalution systems, for example, by using the Ofsted self- evaluation form as the basis for an ongoing review of practice  further develop systems to monitor children's progress and achievements and use this information to identify, and plan for, their next steps in development improve safety by ensuring garden equipment and the pond covering are securely anchored and by regularly practising fire drills.

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provision

The childminder effectively organises her time and resources to provide children with a secure, loving, family environment for their care and learning. She understands her role with regard to safeguarding children's welfare and has a written child protection policy which she shares with parents. The childminder ensures her home is secure and children play safely as they are suitably supervised. She has a record of risk assessment and carries out a daily visual safety check of her home. Most hazards have been identified and minimized, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 although outside garden equipment and the pond covering are not secure. She recognises the importance of working in partnership with others, has excellent relationships with parents, and has introduced a nursery communication sheet into her practice to share information with all those involved in children's care and

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provision

education. Parent testimonials are very positive in their praise of the childminder, who they 'completely trust…knowing (their) children are safe and enjoying themselves'. The childminder is committed to further improving her practice and has recently completed an evaluation sheet identifying training needs. She has addressed recommendations made at her previous inspection, which included making access to the garden safe and extending her resources and activities to increase children's awareness of different cultures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and are totally relaxed within her care. She positively interacts with all children, who she treats with equal concern, and plays with them at their level providing support and encouragement, as applicable to their individual needs. Children actively occupy themselves and freely select toys from a range which are stored at their level. Educational posters and photographs of the children provide a child-friendly surround for their play and named coat pegs give them a sense of ownership of their environment. Children keep safe, for example, as they are securely strapped into high chairs when painting. The childminder teaches them how to keep themselves safe when out but has not practised her fire evacuation procedure with children enabling them to develop an understanding of safety within the home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children have good opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills in the six learning areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder skilfully develops children's knowledge with appropriate questioning during play to make children think. She maintains individual development files for most children, which are shared with parents and has identified on some observation sheets the next step in children's learning. Children are progressing well as a result of the childminder's positive interaction with them during play. They show confidence with numbers as the childminder encourages them to count the carriages on the train they are playing with. They quickly count two and the childminder then extends the activity by encouraging them to count how many carriages there are altogether on the track. Children rise to the challenge and correctly count to seven. Their efforts are praised by the childminder which raises their self-esteem. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

play very well together and amicably share resources, such as the trains and books. They understand not to walk around whilst eating and demonstrate good manners. The childminder works closely with parents regarding behaviour management so children are provided with consistent expectations.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children spontaneously sing as they play showing they are at ease with the childminder and other children present. They move freely around, carefully manoeuvring around others as they play, and have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. They develop their fine motor and hand-eye coordination as they play with shape sorters and build towers with colourful construction blocks. Children have fun as they play and laugh and smile as they all take part in painting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 using sponge shapes and their hands to apply the paint. They show good imagination and an awareness of the natural world, as they decide to paint a giraffe and then a cheetah. Planned activities and outings with the childminder develop children's awareness of the wider and local world. For example, they have visited the local pond to feed the ducks and do tree rubbings. The childminder's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

policies and procedures ensure children's good health is promoted. She ensures they are kept clean and comfortable, for example by cleaning their hands after painting, and provides them with individual towels to use after washing their hands. 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? 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: 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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