Smith Kimbra Leigh

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 226067 Inspection date 25/03/2009 Inspector Patricia King

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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 registered in 1998. She lives with her husband, children aged eight, 10 and 13 years in the village of Glenfield which is situated in Leicestershire. All of the ground floor, first floor bathroom, small bedroom and loft conversion are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of six children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding six children in this age group. She also offers to care for children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted 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 attends a local carers and toddler group and other community resources on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder organises her home and daily routines to ensure that children are safe and secure and are offered innovative and challenging opportunities across all areas of learning and development. Children are happy, settled and confident because the childminder takes great care to establish all available information about them and their individual care, learning and development needs. She fosters close working relationships with parents by providing them with excellent information about her services and their child's care and learning. She develops strong partnerships with others involved in the children's lives, for example, the local playgroup and school which positively supports children’s overall development. She has established efficient systems to monitor and evaluate her practice and secures a real capacity to maintain development by recognising the importance of effective appraisal by

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to plan and organise your systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet children’s individual needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

This childminder uses a robust and detailed range of written policies to effectively promote children's health, safety and welfare and parents are provided with copies of these important documents. All necessary records are completed efficiently and parents receive written details of their children’s daily care and routines. She has established excellent systems to sensitively observe and assess what children can do, uses this information effectively to plan for individual children’s next steps and keep parents well informed of their children’s progress. She values the excellent partnerships she has created with parents which means they feel fully informed and included at all times. She has established contacts with others involved in the children's lives, for example, the nursery and school which supports children’s overall development.

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provision

The childminder promotes children's safety by undertaking thorough risk assessments of her premises, all outings and activities and by maintaining close supervision at all times. She gives careful consideration to the inclusion of all children and effectively organises activities and learning opportunities so that they are fully are enabled to participate safely and confidently according to their age and ability. Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection procedures and knows what to do to report any concerns.

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provision

The childminder completed the recommendation for improvement from her previous inspection and has subsequently established efficient and effective systems to evaluate and appraise her performance actively seeking comments from children and parents. She has secured a capacity for continued improvement and development of her services and has fully implemented the requirements and guidance accompanying the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She is committed to personal development and embraces relevant training opportunities to support her work with young children. Consequently children benefit from her excellent practice and make good progress in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enter the childminder’s home with enthusiasm eager to explore and take part in the wide range of purposeful and developmentally-appropriate opportunities offered to them each day. The childminder’s home abounds with interesting and educational posters, displays of children’s work and helpful relevant information. An excellent range of toys and resources is stored within easy reach to promote independence and children move freely between different activities indoors and outside.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This childminder is well informed, experienced and skilled which means she is always prepared to create an exciting, innovative and challenging learning environment for children according to their individual needs and abilities. For example, she has created a wildlife garden for children to explore, investigate and record what they have seen. Natural habitats for hedgehogs, toads, frogs and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 insect life are carefully nurtured and observed. The children have converted the Wendy house into a bird watching hide complete with binoculars, posters and pictures to identify what they see and mark making materials to record their observations. They plant and cultivate fruit and vegetables in pots and the safe greenhouse, learning about how things grow and healthy eating. In this way the children participate in an innovative and enticing range of learning opportunities as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they work, play and exercise in the fresh air.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The daily programme of planned and spontaneous activities is organised and effectively delivered to ensure that children have real opportunities to practise and progress in numeracy and problem solving and have diverse opportunities to practise their mark making. For example, making lists for shopping, in role play and recording their experiences and adventures. They have a multitude of opportunities to foster their imagination and creativity and enjoy working with a wide variety of media such as gloop, paint, water, sand and jelly. They benefit effectively from a wide range of trips which includes visits to local shops, the library, soft play, farms, the zoo, physical play and other childminders which helps them learn about their community, the wider world and their place in it. Children are learning about other cultures and lifestyles through an informed and interesting range of activities. For example, activities link healthy eating to finding

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

out about food and diet in other cultures and learning about customs and significant events in the lives of others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children proudly talk about their work on display and the photos of them at play, which effectively promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They have a positive attitude to learning fostered by this inspired childminder and the exceptional range of activities provided. This results in children being active learners, creative and critical thinkers. Children have excellent awareness of right and wrong in line with their stage of development and respond happily to the consistent good role model, praise and encouragement offered. They are delighted when their good behaviour is recognised which means they are spurred on to respect and help others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This childminder has thoroughly implemented all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage including robust systems of observations and assessment to inform planning for individual children’s next steps. This ensures that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities. 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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