Brundle Alison Emily

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 560115 Inspection date 13/03/2009 Inspector Justine Leong

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15 years, 13 years and ten years in Harwich near to local amenities. The whole of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, two of whom attend on a full-time basis and seven on a part-time basis. The childminder offers places for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local library and park with the minded children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder organises her home very well to provide a nurturing environment, in which children feel relaxed and secure. Interesting learning opportunities are planned and provided, enabling children to make good progress across all areas of learning. Parents and carers are generally included at the setting, helping to ensure children's individual needs are met and that there is continuity of care. Self-evaluation is beginning to be used to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve opportunities for parents to become fully involved in their children's learning  develop assessment to identify starting points and ensure children make as much progress as possible towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder has devised extremely thorough policies and procedures and implements these effectively to support and underpin her good practice. Parents have provided the childminder with important information about their children and all details are stored securely and confidentially. Written parental permissions have been obtained, helping to ensure children are consistently cared for in line with their parents' wishes and parents praise the care and education their children receive. However, parents have limited opportunities to become involved in their children's learning at the setting.

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provision

Children's welfare is protected and promoted as the childminder has attended This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate training and demonstrates a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children. The childminder is confident with procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care, according to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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provision

Children are developing a good awareness of how to keep themselves safe as, for instance, they practise road safety whilst walking to school. The childminder has carefully considered an evacuation procedure and has practised this with children, helping to ensure everyone would know what to do in the event of an emergency. Comprehensive risk assessments have been completed for within the home and whilst on outings, enabling the childminder to identify and minimise potential hazards and ensure children remain safe. The childminder has completed an informal evaluation of the provision and has identified some areas for future development. The childminder has also attended several short training courses to improve her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues and improve outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very well-cared for in a homely and nurturing environment. The experienced childminder uses her thorough understanding of child development to ensure all welfare needs are met and children make good progress at the setting. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink as they are provided with fresh fruit, breadstick or crackers at snack time, and drinks of milk juice or water. The childminder also prepares and provides a range of healthy meals such as shepherd's pie or fish and vegetables. Children have frequent opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical activity as they walk to and from school, play in the secure garden and visit the local park. They develop good balance and co-ordination as they play on the climbing equipment and with the bats, balls and hoops provided.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play and learn in a warm, bright and spacious environment. They have access to a broad range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources and are confident to request activities they wish to participate in. For example, children decide that they would like to play with play dough so the childminder provides them with dough, cutters, scissor and rolling pins and sits with them whilst they play. The childminder uses effective questioning to support and extend children's thinking. All children are encouraged to participate and the childminder adapts levels of support to meet individual needs, modelling how to use scissors correctly for the younger children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy playing with small world toys, dressing-up clothes and role-play equipment, and the childminder works with them to encourage the development of communication skills. They also participate willingly in singing session using musical instruments and thoroughly enjoy cooking and painting with the childminder. Frequent observations of children's activities are used to create a 'Learning Journey'. However, children's starting points are not identified and progress towards the early learning goals is not recorded in order to ensure children make as much progress as possible. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children play and chat happily with the childminder and are developing responsible behaviour as they assist with daily routines, such as tidying away toys before playing outside. The childminder is consistently polite and attentive and uses

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

developmentally appropriate behaviour management strategies including praise, explanation and encouragement. As a result, children understand what is expected of them and their behaviour is very good. Children have access to resources that are representative of diversity, helping to develop an understanding of the wider world. Children are encouraged to share their home experiences, demonstrating that they are valued and helping to foster good self-esteem. 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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