Walters Karen

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 208025 Inspection date 30/03/2009 Inspector Yvonne Layton

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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 report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and family in Linacre Woods, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Most of the ground floor and the toilet and main bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. Access to the premises is via a ramp or steps from the front garden and a small step to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently minding nine children under eight years, six of whom are in the early years age group. She also cares for children over eight years. Currently, placements consist of after school and part-time care.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to take children to and from school and undertake outings. The family have a dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder provides a varied programme of activities which successfully encourage and support children’s interests and ideas and enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. She has a good knowledge of individual children and the areas of learning. As a result she is effective in meeting the learning and welfare needs of the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children's welfare and safety is well promoted as the childminder has robust systems in place to safeguard and protect them and all documentation is in place. However, some require amendments and the childminder needs to update her knowledge and gain further information in some areas. The childminder has strong relationships with parents and carers and effective liaison with most other providers is in place. Solid steps are taken by the childminder to evaluate her provision and she clearly identity's areas she wishes to

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further?

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

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further?

 take steps to update the procedure for safeguarding children including the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the provider or anyone living on the premises  review the written permission for the administration of non-prescribed medicine to include health reasons for doing so  support children to have a developing respect for their own cultures and beliefs by obtaining information about their religion and culture from their parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are cared for by a childminder who provides a welcoming and child- focused environment. They have access to a good range of appropriate resources. The children are helped to make progress and their development is encouraged as a result of the childminder's good knowledge about how they learn and how to implement all aspects of the learning and development elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Informal planning is focussed on individual children's development, learning and interests. The childminder positively seeks and responds to children’s opinions and request for activities. She provides a good balance of planned and child-led activities and all of the areas of learning are integrated within activities. The childminder completes individual written observations which identify the children's progress, achievements and their next steps. The capacity to make ongoing improvement is solid as she is aware of areas

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provision

that she would like to further develop and she is taking positive action to address these issues. The recommendations from the last inspection have been met.

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provision

Children's emotional and social skills are developing well as the childminder has a extremely strong focus on them developing respect for themselves and other people. They are given support to experiment and explore in their play. All children have their welfare needs met and achieve as well as they can individually. Inclusive practice is promoted throughout, as the childminder has a strong commitment to recognise and respond to individual needs, including children with learning disabilities or difficulties. All children are fully involved in all activities, which are adapted to ensure they all can become involved. The childminder encourages learning by responding very effectively to individual personalities and development stages. Children's self-esteem is enhanced and they are well- rewarded as she displays her pleasure and offers genuine praise for each step they make, both educationally and socially. National and international celebrations are

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provision

undertaken to promote children's understanding of the world around them. However, to enable children to develop respect for their own cultures and beliefs, information about their religion and culture needs to be obtained from parents. Partnerships with parents and most other providers involved with the children are well established and ensure each child's needs are met. Parents are well supported and provided with good quality information about the care and education of their child. This is enhanced by individual discussions and shared plans to work on specific issues for children. Children are protected as most records, policies and procedures are in place. However, although individual medication consent is in place, identified health reasons for the administration of non-prescribed medicines is omitted. Children’s welfare is protected as the childminder is knowledgeable about her responsibilities for safeguarding children. However her knowledge of

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provision

current procedures, including the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the provider or anyone living on the premises, requires updating. The childminder maintains a written risk assessment which is supplemented by a daily check-list to ensure the home is prepared for the children's arrival. 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

The childminder is keen to provide children with a positive experience and a sound base to support their learning. They are happy in the setting. Interactions are good. Children enjoy purposeful play through a range of planned, unplanned and child-led activities, which ensures that they make good progress towards the early learning goals. Daily routine, learning through play and outings to local groups and amenities are used to promote their learning. The childminder uses a check list to ensure all of the early learning goals are visited. She effectively links and integrates activities and consequently all six areas of learning are met. Themes are developed and extended from children's ideas, interests and spontaneous events. For example, a child's interest in birds of prey resulted in a visit to an exhibition of the birds. When a hot air balloon landed in a field near the childminder's home, the childminder and the children went to see it and had full discussions about the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

event. This was progressed by discussions and activities relating to other things that fly. Children are able to practice mark-making and writing skills, as resources such as crayons, templates, colouring books, activity books, printing and stamping are freely available. They learn about number and reading both by planned, focussed group activities, child-initiated activities and within the daily routine. For example, during an unplanned one-to-one story time, the childminder encouraged the child to consider colour, number and the correct names of animals in a relaxed, natural way. The childminder has a rich resource of books, both within a book corner which the children can easily access, and from adult-led story time. All children are included so that their needs are effectively met. The childminder recognises and works with individual children to enhance their development within group and individual activities. Children explore and experiment within a wide

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

variety of activities, particularly with art and craft such as craft projects with salt dough, baking and making a weather map. Daily outings enhance children's physical skills and they learn about the world around them as they visit various local children’s amenities and parks. They extend their physical skills by visits to activity centres and parks which provide challenges appropriate to the children's age and development. Children enjoy dancing and exercise games supported by discussions about their bodies and health. They learn about nutrition as they help to prepare food and by the childminder explaining why they need to eat healthily. Children have a sense of self-worth as they follow the childminder's behaviour boundaries and respond positively to her involving them with appropriate jobs and helping each other. Children learn respect for themselves and others as the childminder seeks explanations for poor behaviour and encourages them to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

consider why certain behaviour is not acceptable. The childminder is a good role model and the consistent use of praise and positive reinforcement contributes effectively to the children developing good social skills and a sense of belonging to a wider family group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and safety is well promoted. The childminder has effective hygiene policies, procedures and routines, including when children are in contact with animals, which are supported by discussions with the children about personal care. Hygiene procedures include consistent routines such as the childminder keeps bottles of hand-gel in all of the rooms which she uses every time she wipes a child's nose or changes a nappy. She is alert to providing privacy for children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 especially when changing nappies. Children are protected and their welfare supported as the childminder has established safety routines and equipment to protect them both in the home and outside. She has a strong focus on promoting children's understanding of personal safety and will undertake activities to enhance children's awareness. For example, she will demonstrate in slow motion what can

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

happen if a child runs in front of a swing. The children look for, and the childminder talks about and shows the children, potential hazards and risks they may meet in the home, such as items in the kitchen and bathroom, including hot water and drinks. They talk about respecting animals and what to do if they meet one outside. On outings they discuss road safety and the dangers of water and frozen ponds. They are protected in an emergency situation as fire evacuation procedures are in place and regular evacuation drills are practised. 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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints that required provider to take any action made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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