Catherall, Kay Louise

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 317721 Inspection date 24/06/2009 Inspector June Rice

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 10 and 15 in Bentley, near Doncaster. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are accessible to people with limited mobility. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

There are three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers three places for children aged between six years old and seven years old, before and after school. This provision is registered on the Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll on the Early Years Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has successfully taken steps to evaluate her provision, which gives her a good understanding of the setting's strengths. However, she has yet to identify areas for improvement. She ensures the environment is fully inclusive and has developed sound relationships with parents, which enables her to provide for children's individual needs. Documentation informs parents of how the setting works, but remains linked to the previous national standards.

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further?

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

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further?

 implement a system to ensure that policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and link to the current legislation  continue to develop the use of self evaluation to help identify areas for further improvement.

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provision

All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the early years provision and to meet children's individual needs is well maintained and includes risk assessments, which are signed and dated. However, policies and procedures have not been reviewed regularly and are still linked to the previous national standards. The childminder has developed sound relationships with parents and other professionals. Systems are in place to ensure parents are well informed about their children's progress and achievements. She has continued to nurture contact with other providers of the EYFS and exchange appropriate information, which ensures children continue to make good progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Inclusive practice is well promoted in an environment that reflects the wider world and children's own communities through a good selection of books, role play

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provision

equipment and activities that encourages children to ask questions about differences. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continued improvement and continues to attend appropriate training, such as EYFS and Common Assessment Framework. The childminder demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, policies and procedures, which ensures children are safeguarded.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are helped to stay safe through the successful implementation of risk assessments, policies and procedures that ensure they use an environment, toys and resources, that are suitable for purpose. Children learn to keep safe through their daily routine, activities and discussions that promote safety awareness. For example, they attend road safety sessions and talk about stranger danger. Children are helped to understand the need to be healthy. They are provided with healthy snacks of fruit and fresh drinks and parents are encouraged to provide healthy packed lunches. Children demonstrate a good understanding of the need for good hygiene practice, they wash their hands before meals, after messy play and after using the potty. Good health is further promoted by excluding children who are infectious.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder successfully uses observation and assessments, which are clearly linked to the six areas of learning, to ensure children's next steps are well planned for. Their progress files include photographs, samples of children's work and sensitive observations, which provide a clear picture to parents about their progress. The childminder has also completed a summative assessment for children who are about to start nursery. Children benefit from being able to independently and safely access a good range of resources that are suitable for their ages and stages of development. For example, storage boxes hold a selection of mechanical toys, shape sorters, trains and soft toys. They have access to peg boards, jigsaws and matching cards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is skilled in supporting children's learning. She provides varied indoor, outdoor activities and outings that keeps children interested. She asks appropriate questions to help them think and work things out. They enjoy cooking activities, which helps them learn about volume, counting, cause and effect as they weigh ingredients and bake mixtures. They use dough, which helps them develop their design and making skills, while introducing them to texture, shape and colour. Children respond eagerly as the childminder asks if they want to do their counting. They point at numbers and count one to 12, point to individual numbers and identify them and there are lots of giggles, as the childminder says 'well done' and 'brilliant'. She uses a mechanical toy to encourage the naming of animals, letters and numbers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are eager to play outside and as they allow the childminder to apply sun cream, they say 'we don’t want hot sun to hurt us'. They smile and run outside, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 select a large ball, hold it and drop it, watching it bounce before kicking it. They select small bikes and the childminder encourages and supports them, as they learn to peddle. Their physical skills and knowledge of their wider environment is further promoted with outings to places of interest, such as local parks, soft play areas and other settings where they learn to climb, slide and balance on larger equipment. They learn about different festivals and enjoy activities that introduces them to hand painting, lantern making and differences in how people dress and the homes they live in. 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

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