Collins, Nicola

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY305571 Inspection date 19/03/2009 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, five and one year in Deanshanger, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire close to shops, parks, schools and transport links. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom upstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also provides care for children aged over five years to six years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Children are happy and very well engaged in enjoyable, inclusive activities. Children's welfare is managed with great success and this ensures they are safe, secure and have their individual needs exceptionally well met. The childminder has made an excellent start in implementing the learning and development requirements. The highly effective partnership with parents ensures a consistent approach for children which means they make excellent progress. The childminder is developing systems to reflect on her practice, she has identified her many areas of strength and areas she wishes to develop further.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop further the system of self-evaluation and quality improvement processes to extend effective practice and help improve outcomes for every child  develop further the partnership with parents to support their young children and involve them in their continuous learning and development.

p.3

provision

The childminder ensures that the well organised written documentation, policies and procedures are clearly reflected in her daily activity with children. This promotes their safety and well-being. For example, the risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. Children's safety is given the highest priority by the childminder. Her close supervision and monitoring of younger children ensures they are able to freely explore their surroundings and lead the play while remaining safe and secure. The childminder fully understands the importance of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines in the event of child protection concerns and children begin to learn about keeping themselves safe through activities such as practising the emergency evacuation procedures and helping to tidy away when they have finished playing. The exemplary partnership

p.3

provision

with parents significantly contributes to children's sense of belonging in the childminder's home. Parents are kept fully informed of their children's progress through written diary entries and the childminder regularly shares their child's 'Learning Journey' folder with them. The childminder has sought parents views on the quality of her provision through questionnaires and she has taken action on some of the suggestions made. She continues to develop her partnership though planning to develop links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage and inviting parents to contribute to their child's 'Learning Journey' folder.

p.4

provision

The childminder is keen to continue to develop her practice with children and has begun to implement procedures for self-reflection. She celebrates her strengths and is aware of areas in which she wants to continue to develop her practice. For example, she has taken action on the recommendations from the previous inspection and has involved parents and older children in the process by seeking their views through questionnaires and children's comments in a scrap book. The childminder is keen to develop the process of self-evaluation further in order to demonstrate her continued commitment to continuous improvement.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is highly skilled in meeting the needs of all the children by providing them with a great range of interesting and fun activities that promote learning in all areas. Younger children are able to choose freely from boxes of toys that are appropriate for their age and ability. For example, a musical toy that prompts them to squeal with delight and laugh when they make the sounds and colourful bricks they build into towers and laugh when the tower falls over. Older children are provided with imaginative creative opportunities. The childminder provides resources such as large cardboard boxes that the children work collaboratively on to create a 'city' and 'Dr. Who's Tardis'. Equally, the childminder provides opportunities for all the children to work together on projects such as a 'Hotel Day'. The children create a hotel in the childminder's home, they make flags to decorate the 'restaurant' and take turns to serve each other at lunchtime. This

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

successful management of different ages of children and allowing them to lead the play and activities whenever appropriate contributes greatly to their sense of belonging and achievement. The childminder consistently builds children's self- esteem and promotes their language and vocabulary through highly positive interaction with them. She gives lots of positive re-enforcement and facial expressions that encourages children to try new experiences, to look at books or explore art and craft materials. Children's achievements are well recorded under the six areas of learning through snippet observations, photographs and samples of their creative work. The childminder successfully uses the 'Practice Guidance' document to identify and plan each child's next steps for learning.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is given the highest priority by the childminder who is skilled in managing their individual requirements for food, rest and changes of activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 High standards of hygiene are in place and the childminder employs very effective procedures to reduce the risk of cross infection when changing nappies, preparing food and feeding babies and toddlers. For example, she disposes of nappies promptly, washes her hands before preparing meals and snacks and has clearly identifiable individual spoons for feeding young toddlers. Children enjoy a balanced range of meals and snacks that are freshly prepared by the childminder following thorough discussion with their parents to identify any specific dietary requirements. The childminder successfully promotes children's independence. For example, toddlers are encouraged to feed themselves at lunch time and all children

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

are able to select their own activities and play materials from the extensive range available to them. The childminder is meticulous in promoting children's awareness of others. She monitors the play to ensure each child has equal access to all the activities and steps in when necessary to explain to children about being gentle with each other and encourages them to think about the effect of their actions on others. This effective, highly appropriate method supports very young children in learning to develop their first friendships. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8