Grant Wendy

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 EY303962 Inspection date 04/03/2009 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine in the village of Clophill, Bedfordshire. The childminding area consists of a large playroom, ground floor toilet and use of the kitchen. Two bedrooms are used on the first floor for children to sleep. There is a fully enclosed outside play area. The premises are accessible by a set of steps to the front entrance.

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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 the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for two children on the Early Years Register and currently two children attend. Currently there are no children attending on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register or the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and works in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the provision is good. The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment that supports children very well in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The close partnership with parents and well-planned activities contribute significantly to meeting individual children's needs. Children are highly valued at the setting because the childminder promotes diversity and equal opportunities through the careful planning of activities and resources. An effective self- evaluation process identifies a clear understanding of priorities for improvement to strive to provide the very best care and education for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that future planning informs children's individual development and is securily linked to the six areas of learning  conduct a risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these  ensure that the child protection policy is updated with the contact details of the Safeguarding Children Board.

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provision

The childminder effectively manages the EYFS provision. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement through evaluating her practice and a good self-evaluation supports this. The childminder continues to improve her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding and practice and has attended training for the EYFS framework. Children are generally safeguarded because the childminder takes necessary steps to protect and promote their welfare. However, the child protection policy does not include the contact details of the Safeguarding Children Board to ensure that the correct procedures are followed in the event of a concern.

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provision

The childminder provides a truly inclusive service that promotes children's welfare requirements very well. She understands and engages in reflective practice, respecting diversity and valuing a child as a unique individual. Consequently, inclusive practice is promoted so that all children have their welfare requirements met. Parents, carers and other professionals are involved as partners in promoting children's learning and development. Parents are kept informed of their child's achievements through appropriate polices and procedures and the regular sharing of information. For example, daily diaries are used to communicate children's welfare and learning. The childminder receives many written compliments and recommendations. Parents comment positively about their child's care and education in recent questionnaires.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported well as they access a range of interesting and challenging play materials and equipment. The childminder collects information from parents about children's interests, needs and capabilities and uses this to inform initial assessments and planning. Planning is linked to observations and assessments. For example, they show how the activity supports a child's learning and identifies the next steps. However, the next steps of learning are not securely linked to the children's individual planning across the six areas of learning to give a clear picture of progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a balanced range of activities and are encouraged to make choices and instigate play opportunities. For example, children collect resources for the play kitchen. They set up the cooker to 'cook' some ice-cream. Children identify some of the labels on the play food and name the colours they see. Several items of food are added to the saucepan and the children match several lids for size before they find the correct one. Children re-live shopping experiences with the childminder. They laugh as they recall putting a cucumber in the child seat of the trolley and agree that next time they will take the doll. Children are sociable and happy. They are confident to instigate conversation with adults and discuss what they know. Children settle down for a story about visiting the swimming pool. The childminder makes reference throughout the story to the children's own experiences enabling them to join in fully with the story using their knowledge

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

about learning to swim and safety around water. Children are caring and kind. They show mature concern as they tuck up teddy for a sleep with his bottle. Excellent coordination skills are displayed as children use real wipes and nappies when 'changing' soft toys and are able to generally manage the technique without support. Children enjoy mark-making activities and attractive displays of their creative development adorn the walls of the playroom. The childminder supports the children very well. They are encouraged to use problem-solving skills as they play. For example, children match numbers and pictures as they play with the post This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 office set. They understand how the magnetic 'stamp' works and post letters to their friends and family. Children talk about shared activities with friends such as walking in the woods and playing at other children's homes. They 'post' a letter to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

a friend that has emigrated and explain that this friend lives 'a long way across the sea'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to succeed and rewards them with lots of praise. Activities are organised to enable children to have a wide variety of experiences. For example, children enjoy stories and books, join in with music, dancing and playing instruments and learn to sequence as they build patterns with different colour bricks. They are encouraged to explore their environment through outings to different areas of the community such as playing in the park, walking in the woods and routine shopping in the village. The rich diversity and culture in the wider world is investigated by the children. They learn about different customs as they visit a Chinese restaurant, play with ethnic dolls and listen to world stories. Children have excellent opportunities to explore growth and the natural world. They help to grow, care for, harvest and then cook and eat vegetables. They examine insects in the bug boxes and study water creatures when pond dipping.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Visits to the farm and the supermarket encourage children to think about food processes and healthy eating. Children are very happy and secure in the childminder's care. Wonderful resources are developed to help children settle. For example, children show their family photos and identify not only close family but also extended family members. They begin to understand family links as they explain that Granddad is mummy's daddy.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure environment because the childminder ensures that all areas are checked before children arrive at the premises. However, a risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis is not completed. Therefore, records are not maintained to ensure a consistent approach of minimising risk to children. Children learn about their own safety and the safety of others as they practise road safety when out walking and adhere to safety rules inside and outside the house. Children are offered a healthy diet and their growth and development is promoted through an excellent menu and regular fresh air and exercise. 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 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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