Matthews, Joanne

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY388797 Inspection date 30/06/2009 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder became registered in January 2009. She lives with her husband and children aged two and four years in Leyland, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outside play. Registration on the Early Years Register and both parts of the childcare Register is effective. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, only two of whom may be in the early year’s age range and no more than one may be under one year. There are eight children on roll. An out of school service is provided for school age children. The premises are within walking distance of community facilities, local shops and open spaces. Support and training is accessed from the local authority Sure Start development consultancy

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are supported in making good progress in their learning and development. She has a secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures with children's safety is high on the agenda. She has a clear knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and as a result, confidently meets the requirements. Close partnerships have been formed with parents, whilst strategies for sharing information with other professionals delivering the EYFS have been forged. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving her service for young children and their families.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 ensure that each of the six areas of learning and development are given equal attention when planning and assessing children's next learning steps.  carry out regular evacuation drills so that children are helped to think about how to keep themselves safe and to recognise possible danger.

p.3

provision

The childminder offers a fully inclusive service and welcomes all children and their families into her home. In order to understand and meet children's individual needs, the childminder works closely with parents and where appropriate, other professionals, such as, reception teachers. The childminder has attended a range of initial registration training sessions to increase her knowledge and is active with other local childminder's and the local childminding network. This promotes and improves quality and ensures that children are provided with as good a service as possible where they can learn and develop safely. The childminder chats to parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on a daily basis about what their children have been doing and has introduced a daily diary system and records of achievement to underpin and supplement this method of communication.

p.3

provision

The childminder is passionate about her role and is committed to providing high quality care for children and their family. The childminder demonstrates a professional approach to her role and shows a clear commitment to meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework in all aspects. She is pro-active in arranging future on-going training to improve her knowledge and skills further. The childminder has a clear vision for future practice and uses formal self-evaluation to identify her strengths and areas for development. For example, she is developing formal feedback questionnaires for parents and carers to use alongside her evaluation process.

p.4

provision

Children's individual learning journey's are documented and shared with parents and carers. Clear knowledge of the six areas of learning is evident but some areas are given more attention than others are in children's individual development records. All required documentation is very well maintained which ensures that children's care and safety is assured at all times.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes time to develop warm and caring relationships with the children. They are consequently settled and happy in her care. She enjoys the company of the children and they benefit from her enthusiasm in her role as their childminder. Children enjoy high levels of interaction and attention from the childminder who joins in with children's self-initiated play and guides them as new skills are gained through planned activities. The planning of activities is flexible as the childminder responds daily to the children’s individual interests, ages, and stages of development. Children participate in a wide range of activities both in the home and when visiting places of interest and local groups like Rap and Rhyme. They plant vegetables and fruit, such as, lettuce; green beans; tomatoes and strawberries. Children watch as they see their seeds grow into plants and learn about where food comes from and what they need to grow as they water them

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

each day. They learn about animals in the zoo and because of regular visits, they can follow the progress and development of new baby animals. Contact with the family dog provides children with personal hands-on opportunities to learn about caring directly for pets. The childminder encourages and teaches children to be gentle and to respect the dog when he 'does not want to play'. She helps children to share and to socialise with other children of similar and older ages.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good working knowledge and understanding of the early year’s framework and plans and assesses children’s progress so that she knows how to move them forward in their learning. The childminder is intuitive of children's individual needs and adapts activities to take into account their developmental ages and interests. As a result, children are extremely engaged in the activities on offer and make good progress towards achieving the early learning goals. Their future economic well-being is therefore being prompted well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder values the uniqueness of each child and is animated in her praise when children have done something well or new to them. She leads by example as she encourages young children to help tidy the toys away, before going on the school pick up, for example, as they learn about making a positive contribution.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Encouragement and praise is given consistently throughout the day, which in turn develops children's confidence and self-esteem. Reward charts are also used to reinforce good behaviour. Age appropriate explanations are used effectively so young children understand about sharing. Minor difficulties are soon sorted out by appropriate and sensitive intervention by the childminder, who is always close at hand to explain and reassure.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle and good hygiene is promoted well. Effective use is made of the garden and other wide open spaces to give children frequent play opportunities in the fresh air where they enjoy practising a range of skills, such as, climbing, co-ordination and balance. Children enjoy a balanced diet of healthy snacks and freshly prepared home cooked meals. They independently access drinking water when thirsty from their individual beakers and there is a well-documented illness and infection policy in place. Comprehensive risk assessments have been carried out and an emergency evacuation drill has been devised. However, this has not been practiced yet when minded children have been present. Comprehensive written policies guide and inform the childminder's practice and ensure that parents and carers are kept fully informed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7