Biggs Paulette

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 219675 Inspection date 17/02/2009 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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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 their four children aged 10, 13, 16 and 17 in the village of Clifton, near Shefford in Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and includes a well equipped playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The inner and outer doors are suitable for an adult wheelchair user and the main childcare facilities are on the ground floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Years Register and currently five children attend on part-time and flexible arrangements. The childminder currently does not provide care for any children on the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR). There are five children on the Voluntary Childcare Register (VCR). All the children share the same facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals and holds the Cache National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 qualification in childcare and education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides an outstanding service for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment and supports them effectively as they benefit from the well-planned and imaginative activities. The close partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring that the individual needs of all the children are met. Children are highly valued at the setting because the childminder has a sensitive understanding of diversity and equal opportunities. She uses her extensive knowledge to ensure that planning includes activities and equipment that promote positive awareness of the wider world. The childminder uses effective procedures for evaluating her practice and has a very clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses. Priorities for improvement in her self-evaluation show that she continuously strives to provide the very best care and education for the children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 ensure that planning is evaluated to ascertain the impact on children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder's excellent knowledge, experience and enthusiasm ensure that all aspect of the provision are well-led. Policies, procedures and records are implemented well to support the safe and efficient management of the setting and ensure that the needs of all the children are met. The childminder has clear procedures for monitoring and evaluating her practice and has identified some priorities for improvement in her self-evaluation. Information collected from regular observations evaluates the impact of the educational programme on each individual child. Imaginative planning ensures that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience across all the areas of learning and is securely linked to the early learning goals. However, planning is not always evaluated to ascertain the impact on individual children's learning and the success of activities. Children's progress is carefully monitored and their identified learning needs are carried

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provision

forward and implemented into future planning to give a clear picture of progress

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provision

The childminder shows a genuine desire to promote the very best care and opportunities for children. She has an outstanding attitude to her own training and development which has led to a rich and varied educational experience for the children. Training has been completed such as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and The Common Assessment Framework. The childminder has also completed Cache NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education. The excellent training programme also includes a course on mentoring and supporting other childminders. Parents greatly appreciate the close links encouraged by the childminder and are well informed about their children's care and education. For example, parents are encouraged to comment in the daily diaries and are kept fully informed about their child's achievements and progress. The childminder's exceptional work in forging close links with parents and encouraging partnership

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provision

working with the pre-school ensures that children's care is consistent. The childminder's excellent safeguarding policies include comprehensive risk assessments to ensure that children are protected at all times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported very well in their learning and development and are consistently offered an extensive range of opportunities and activities to help them make excellent progress. The highly individual and flexible approach to planning ensures that children's uniqueness is valued and their interests and needs are always included. Children's ideas and suggestions are collected regularly and are included in future planning. For example, older children arrange their own talent show and all the children show interest in the Olympic games. They decide which countries take part and how the event will be organised. Children are encouraged to lead and follow their own interests as they make castles using chairs and cushions, create camps in the garden and play imaginatively with large cardboard boxes. The children regularly help with food preparation and talk about choices. They comment that yoghurt is good for their bones and that food gives them

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

energy. Children are encouraged to learn about healthy eating as they shop, cook and eat together. They record food by colour on the shopping list and arrange This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 food to make a colourful rainbow display. The children take part in healthy food days. For example, on Apple Day they tried different apples. Children sow fruit and vegetable seeds in the garden, they nurture and care for the plants and then harvest and eat them giving them first hand experience of life cycles. Children's understanding of the natural world is greatly enhanced as they study mini beasts with magnifying glasses and create habitats for ants and snails. They enjoy 'pond dipping' and investigating water creatures. Children experience their local environment as they visit local shops and markets and begin to identify local landmarks as they walk. Walking in the wood and active play in the park and on

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the common gives children plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes sure that her house and resources are interesting, attractive and accessible to every child. The bright and stimulating play room is decorated with lots of interesting posters and attractive displays of children's art and craft work. Children are positively encouraged to be active in their learning, to reason and to work together. For example, they learn a letter each week and bring in items beginning with the sound to post in the letter box. The box shows words and pictures starting with the sound and children are keen to name the objects phonetically. Children are provided with a language rich environment. An extensive range of quality books are freely available and children's interests are extended with regular visits to the library to seek out further information. Children re-live real life experiences as the role play area becomes a library and home made puppets aid story telling. Art and craft activities give children endless opportunities

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to make marks. They create individual placemats from their drawings and recognise their name and the names of other children. Numeracy is included in everyday life. Children join in with counting songs and collect and sort a range of items. They count spontaneously as they play. For example, how many pieces of fruit they have on their plate, how many pips in the apple core and the amount of worms they find in the garden. Children weigh ingredients for cooking, count the eggs and work out the cooking times. Children benefit greatly from the excellent planning of knowledge and understanding or the world. They are encouraged to investigate technology and how things work. For example, children are provided with torches to use in a darkened room and take photographs with real cameras. Modern technology such as computers, till scanners, lottery machines, alarms and cctv cameras are identified and discussed with the children. This consistent

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

support gives children the confidence to express their ideas, explore further and share their thoughts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very safe, secure environment because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of this area. She has completed a thorough risk assessment which covers all areas of the home, garden and outings. Young children are beginning to understand about taking care of themselves and others as they practise regular fire drills and help tidy the playroom. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has ensured that she has relevant information and contact details. She has recently completed training in this area to further enhance her knowledge and understanding. 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? 1 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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