Smith, Tracey Denise

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 EY371513 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Sarah Measures

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and three years in Northampton. 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 four children at any one time on the Early Years Register. She may also care for older children on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder uses her car to transport children to and from local schools. The family has a pet cat. The childminder has links with local schools, pre-schools and childminding and toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are valued as individuals by the childminder who knows them well. Children feel welcomed and included within the setting because of the childminder's warm and caring manner and because of the effective way she organises activities and routines. Children make good choices about their care and activities. The provision for continuous improvement is good because of the childminder's clear commitment to offering parents and children a quality service.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems of observation and assessment to include all children within the Early Years Foundation Stage  carry out regular evacuation drills and make sure that doors to emergency escape routes can be easily opened from the inside.

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provision

The childminder makes good use of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance as a working document in order to promote children's learning and development. Children are purposefully engaged in a varied range of fun and interesting learning activities in and out of the home. The childminder works very well with parents and other carers in order to help her to get to know children well and to plan carefully for their individual development. She uses very good systems of communication in order to ensure parents are well informed and included. She has an approachable manner and fully appreciates the importance of working with parents in order to fully support children.

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provision

Policies and procedures effectively promote children's welfare overall, however the fire safety risk assessment is not fully effective in protecting children. The childminder capably reflects upon her practice and actively seeks training and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 support in order to plan for improvement in the provision for children. The childminder generally maintains detailed and well-organised records on the children that are used appropriately to promote their health and safety. However, she has yet to organise suitable developmental records for all children that attend within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are well safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regard to child protection and because she has clear procedures to follow if she needs to refer any concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn effectively because they feel secure due to the close relationships that exist between the childminder and her own children. The childminder involves children in well-considered discussions and conversations in order to extend their learning and their ability to question and think for themselves. As a result children show good levels of responsibility and encourage each other's learning as they play. Children are encouraged to explore and use their imagination as they take part in carefully planned creative and cooking activities that make them proud of their achievements. Children's experiences are broadened and their social skills encouraged as they go on exciting outings out of the home and visit local childminding and toddler groups. The childminder keeps a well-presented record of her observations that clearly show children's progress, although these are not kept up to date for all children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy outdoor play and exercise as they play in the childminder's garden and visit local parks. They are encouraged to keep themselves healthy and safe because the childminder helps them to develop good hygiene habits and plans topics that cover issues such as road safety. Children are well behaved because they are well occupied and settled in this warm and caring setting. They learn good self-discipline and consideration for others from the childminder's careful role modelling and interactions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety is well maintained because the childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and carefully risk assesses the premises to ensure no hazards are accessible to children. Children's safety in the event of a fire is not fully promoted because the childminder does not regularly practise fire drills and because emergency escapes routes are insufficiently risk assessed. The childminder makes sure that parents know how to make a complaint to Ofsted in order to offer children and parents a safe and transparent service. 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 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 registration.

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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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