Cowell, Nina

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 EY321390 Inspection date 11/06/2009 Inspector Ann Bamford

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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 offers care from her home in the Walton le Dale area of Preston. She is registered to provide care for up to four children on the Early Years Register and both parts the Childcare Register. She has been registered since 2006 and is part of the local authority network of childminders.

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Description of the childminding

The children have access to the ground floor of the home and two bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed, decked garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged three and under one year. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

Care is available from 08.00 hours to 18.00 hrs each weekday with the exception of bank holidays. Annual holidays are negotiated individually with parents.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. All children's needs are met in a skilled way whilst they are cared for in the setting. Children's welfare is promoted very effectively as the childminder works with parents and other professionals in a skilled way. Children very safe and secure at all times and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. Children experience a rich variety of activities in an environment that is tailored for and owned by them. The childminding setting has made effective use of self-evaluation as a tool to identify and develop areas of continuous improvement through the process of being a local network childminder. This has resulted in the quality of childcare and education that children receive being effective and consistently improved.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop children's next steps linked specifically to the areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder is committed to providing high quality childcare which meets children's learning needs as well as welfare needs. Her commitment to ongoing improvement ensures that children receive a consistently good level of care that meets all children's individual needs. The childminder has already made effective use of the Early Years Foundation Stage documents as a tool for ensuring that each child makes progress in the six areas of the early learning. Children make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 steady progress as the childminder makes use of a range of means of planning learning and development experiences for individual children. The childminder uses topics drawn from her observations of what children are naturally interested in, such as different types of transport and lorries, and plans activities which build on this natural interest by the introduction of different types of vehicles and stories

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provision

about lorries. Individual children's learning is planned but is not yet fully linked to the milestones and areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

Working in partnership with parents and others is a key strength of this provision. The childminder involves parents and other providers of care for children in gathering information and planning next steps for children. In addition, she liaises with parents in good time to plan a range of exciting large outings over the summer period. This enhances children's consistency of care with particular regard to enjoyable experiences.

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provision

The childminder makes good use of documentation for both the safe management of her provision and as a means of ensuring that children are making the progress in each area of learning. The area where children are cared for is risk assessed on a daily and ongoing basis. As a result, children are safe and developing a sophisticated awareness of how to keep the area safe. The planning of where toys and equipment is stored, and teaching children that different cupboards contain different types of toys, enables children to develop independence when selecting and clearing away toys. There are comprehensive written risk assessments in place, including for outings. The childcare area is regularly modified to ensure that children have maximum access to toys and equipment while still keeping them safe in the indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder regularly reviews documentation and plans for further development. This is in the form of a well

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provision

ordered written plan which is reviewed regularly and overseen by the local authority network coordinator.

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder’s consistent striving for improvement. Her regular attendance on courses and skill in weaving new knowledge and understanding into practice mean that children can experience new ways of learning and having fun; for example, the childminder and children planned the outdoor area together and also plan forthcoming trips for the summer holidays.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This provision is good. The childminder supports children’s learning very effectively. She has a robust understanding of the different stages of children's development and learning and, as a result, children's individual learning needs are promoted in an imaginative way. The environment is planned carefully to allow children balance in selecting their own activities and engaging in adult-led activities. Children choose whether they are in or out of doors throughout the time they are cared for through skilful use of patio doors and a patio area. Observation, assessment and planning are used to create an environment where children can be active learners with the challenge provided by the childminder to think critically. Children are involved in every aspect of planning, for example, what they have for snacks or what toys and equipment they can use at any time. Older children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

encouraged to do as much as they can for themselves; for example, the childminder only providing support to start children off to put on a jumper. Her patience and encouragement of children to persist enhances their confidence to succeed. Children's individual progress is charted with care; the next steps are agreed with parents verbally. Records are used to log children’s achievements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted in a very effective way. All children learn how to maintain their own health and well-being from a very early age as they are encouraged to indicate their needs for food and drink, sleep and cuddles. The childminder's confident use of strategies, such as observation and talking to parents, mean that children with individual needs are cared for in line with parent's wishes. Older children request drinks and wash hands before food with increasing independence. Children develop an awareness of preventing cross-infection as they talk about what happens if they do not wash their hands before eating. All children have a strong awareness of safety as they learn, for example, to play with toys with small pieces away from the toddler, or tidy away independently to avoid tripping. All children in the setting have an awareness of the needs of others and older children show consideration and tolerance to the others present, giving toys

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they were playing with over to another child with a clear regard for his well-being. Children develop independence skills as they are involved in planning how they will spend the forthcoming time during school holidays, or where they will visit when undertaking a particular project. 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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