Elliman, Helen Elizabeth

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 EY312658 Inspection date 20/04/2009 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 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 partner and two sons aged six and four years on the southern outskirts of Carlisle city centre. The whole of the ground floor, the bathroom and children's bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She has seven children on roll and is currently minding three early years children. The childminder cares for children up to the age of 12 years. She provides care from 07.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. The childminder will work a Saturday by negotiation. Children attend for a variety of sessions, before and after school, and school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local carer and toddler groups in the area. She has a car to transport children on outings.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and Carlisle and District Childminding group. She is registered on the Early Years Register, and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled having formed a sound relationship with the childminder who provides care in a homely, safe and secure environment. The childminder knows the children well and meets their individual needs through discussion with parents and through observations as they play. She encourages children's independence and enables children to make decisive choices throughout the day, therefore children have fun and enjoy activities that they are interested in. Planning, assessment and self- evaluation are in the early stages of development and most policies and procedures are maintained as required.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain a copy of the safeguarding leaflet 'What To Do If You’re Worried A Child is Being Abused'?  further develop the systems in place to identify the next steps in children development to inform planning and identify the areas of learning children have achieved as detailed in the Early Years foundation stage guidance  complete risk assessments for outings undertaken with the children  further develop resources and activities that help children understand about difference and diversity.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure the safeguarding policy is in line with recent legislative changes and contains the allegations procedure and the contact details of the local authority and police (safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)(also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register)' 04/05/2009

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provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming service for parents and is flexible to their requirements. She has completed her training course in childminding practice and updates her first aid course to keep up-to-date with emergency practices. Reflective self-evaluation is in the early stages of development and through discussion she is aware of where improvements are required, although these are not recorded on the document. All previous actions and recommendations have been completed to effectively bring about improvements to the provision and outcomes for children.

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provision

Children benefit from the well established partnership with parents and carers that ensure children’s care needs are met to maintain continuity in welfare needs and everyday routines. Most of the required documentation is in place and confidentiality is maintained. She has produced a set of policies and procedures which give a clear indication how she operates and an overview of her everyday working practice. Parents are kept well informed about their child’s day through verbal feedback, email and text; and the childminder provides a written monthly newsletter which highlights forthcoming topics and activities or events. A system has been established to recognise the milestones children have reached and observations identify the next steps in development. However, this information does not inform planning for individual learning needs or how the different areas of learning have been achieved.

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provision

Children are generally safeguarded. The childminder is clear on her responsibility to report any possible signs of child abuse and is clear on who to contact; however, the written Safeguarding policy does not contain all the required information such as the procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her or a family member and the contact details of the local authority and police is missing. The childminder keeps the home environment safe and secure and takes the necessary safety precautions with written risk assessments, however these are not maintained for any outings she undertakes with the children. The premises is well organised with plenty of space to allow children free movement to play and to rest as needed in comfortable surroundings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and contented and settle easily into the warm and relaxed environment. They access resources from the play room and from the children’s bedroom. The childminder rotates toys to maintain stimulation and interest. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children plan in advance what they would like to play with. They help recycle waste products in their own recycling bins and independently access fresh water from the jug on the trolley in the kitchen. The childminder provides some opportunities and resources that help children to learn about differences and diversity, however this is limited. The childminder provides age appropriate toys for the children. For example, babies enjoy sitting on the activity mat exploring the interactive sound and musical toys handed to them. They enjoy the company of older children and vocalise with the childminder as they play. She knows them well

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

so when they are tired she places them in the buggy and rocks them to and fro till they fall asleep.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy many outdoor activities and visit to places of interest during the week. They play in the garden daily, pushing their sit and ride toys round the patio area and then eagerly water the plants and freshly sown grass seed saying they are helping it to grow. Children make suitable choices and decisions during the day. They help carry out the small table and chairs onto the patio to eat their lunch outside in the fresh air and help prepare their lunch after washing their hands. Children develop a sense of responsibility from an early age. The childminder praises them for helping, thus building their confidence and promoting positive behaviour. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe through direct instruction and visit to see people in the community. They learn about road safety when walking back and forth from school and complete fire evacuation practices. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 04/05/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 04/05/2009

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