Denton, Julie

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 EY318065 Inspection date 22/04/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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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 children aged 16 years and five years on the outskirts of Ilkley. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, upstairs bathroom and upstairs front small bedroom are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and is currently providing care for eight children in the early years age group and seven in the compulsory Childcare group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks. She has two rabbits and two hamsters as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is level 3 in Childcare and an accredited childminder and 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 provides a wonderfully caring, homely environment where children are very well cared for and make excellent progress across all areas of learning. Excellent knowledge of each child's individual needs, gained from highly effective partnership working, ensures that the childminder promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning with immense success overall and recognises and values their uniqueness. The childminder has a thorough knowledge of child development and how to plan in line with children's individual needs, interests and next steps alongside creating a highly accessible and stimulating environment. The childminder has thorough systems in place for evaluating her practice and provision and continually making improvements which have a highly positive impact on the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the fire blanket is easily accessible.

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provision

All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the service provided is maintained and organised extremely well to ensure children's individual needs are met effectively and confidentiality maintained. All policies, procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and documents are in place and are maintained to a high standard, ensuring the regulations and requirements of registration are being met at all times. For example, robust risk assessments are carried out of all areas including the outside and any trips that the children go on and fire drills are carried out at various times to ensure that all children of all ages are aware of fire evacuation procedures. However, the fire blanket situated in the kitchen is not easily accessible. All adults in the household have been vetted to ensure they are suitable and all visitors are required to sign in and out, ensuring an accurate record of everyone coming into

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provision

contact with the children is maintained for their safety. The childminder has an exceptionally good understanding of child protection procedures and she knows how to implement them if concerns are identified, helping to safeguard the children who attend

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provision

The childminder is very committed to her own professional development and is a qualified and an experienced child carer; she continues to access training and support through her Local Authority. For example, she has recently gained a level 3 in Childcare and continues to attend extensive training. She has introduced and completed an in depth system of self-assessment which successfully identifies both strengths and areas for development.

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provision

The childminder organises her time effectively to spend time with the children. The routines are flexible to ensure children's interest and ideas are incorporated. The involvement of parents is given high priority and the partnership is strong. Parents receive a comprehensive welcome pack including written policies and information about the areas of learning illustrated by photographs of the activities and an explanation of the learning taking place. The childminder gathers detailed information about the child's needs and interests to ensure she is fully aware of their starting points. She has developed good links with the local school and nursery and complete trackers of each child's progress to give to the child's next stage of development. She is vigilant in maintaining daily records about children's care routines and development so that parents can access this as they collect their children. More importantly, children develop highly effective three-way

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provision

relationships with their parents or carers and the childminder. Parents are encouraged to complete questionnaires; where there are comments are full of high praise for the care and education that their children receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of children's development and the Early Years Foundation Stage. She observes the children regularly, identifies their next steps and plans to ensure that the children have many opportunities to achieve their goals. Each child has a learning journal which tracks their progress and allows the childminder to ensure that they are having experiences across all the early learning goals and parents are able to make any comments that they wish to.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children enjoy a considerable range of adult led and child initiated activities, they self-select from the resources easily available and respond positively to ideas offered. Younger children are very keen to play with the superb selection of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 treasure baskets full of interesting feely toys. For example, socks filled with bells, crinkly paper, socks filled with scented cotton wool. Children reached fro the treasure baskets and shook the bells, felt the paper and laughed at the noise it made. Children rushed to the new dark tent and switched on the lights with the help of the childminder, who explained about how dark it is inside and how light it is when they come out.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder keeps very informative and interesting profiles of the children, containing photographs of children partaking in various activities, visits to the local farm, soft play area, toddler groups, going bowling, swimming and celebrating various festivals from different countries. Profiles follow the children's development and all activities are linked to the early learning goals and the children's next steps are clearly identified.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have easy access to a superb outdoor area, with a wide variety of toys and activities for all ages and stages of children's development. For example, large chalk boards are available a wide selection of outdoor home made musical instruments, crayons and pencils and large and small slides, climbing frames, variety of balls and a sand pit that ensures that children's physical skills continue to develop. Children plant seeds, they go on trips with the childminder to spend a day with the park rangers and can also see inside the birds nest in the garden through the cameras that are installed in the nest and then transferred to the television.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's spoken language is developing very well as the childminder converses with them constantly, they ask lots of questions and the childminder responds positively, allowing them time to reply, supporting them to contribute their own knowledge and ideas. The children are inquisitive, they learn through their play, counting, identifying colours and discussing mathematical concepts, such as big and small as they undertake building of blocks, with some support form the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is very good, the childminder sets clear boundaries. Children share the resources and the time of the childminder, responding well to gentle reminders to share or take turns. Older children are aware of the house rules through discussion and them being displayed, the childminder is a good role model, consistently praising and encouraging the children building on their self- esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a very healthy and well balanced meals and snacks, such as home made pizza's which children help to make, the childminder provides them with fresh fruit and vegetables and all are home made. Meal times are a very sociable time, where children all sit together and the childminder encourages the younger children to feed themselves and holds conversations with them. 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

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