Burrows, Tracy Leigh

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 EY313868 Inspection date 15/05/2009 Inspector Sarah Gilpin

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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 husband and their three children aged five, nine and ten years in Dronfield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The family have a pet dog, cats and guinea pig. The childminder’s home is a semi-detached property, the whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms. There is a secure area for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the local childminding group and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children's care and learning is given high priority by this childminder and she effectively meets their individual needs. She has begun to use her observations of the children to assess what they know and can do, she identifies some next steps in their learning and is beginning to link this to the planning. There is an exciting range of fun play experiences, natural resources and equipment provided for all children, which helps them to make good progress in their learning given their starting points. There are clear systems to promote the children's well-being and a wealth of information for parents and carers ensures they can share in the care provided. The childminder demonstrates how she is starting to reflect on her practice and the provision for children, through this process she is beginning to identify some areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the system for observing what the children know and can do and use this information to evaluate the impact on their learning and to plan for their progress towards the early learning goals  consider ways to use reflection and self-evaluation to identify areas for development in the provision in order to continue to promote positive outcomes for the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and as a result has a clear set of policies and procedures, which she implements effectively to ensure that children's health and safety is maintained. For example, comprehensive risk assessments of the premises and outings have been devised and completed and have led to potential hazards to children being identified and minimised. The childminder accesses regular training and development opportunities to improve her knowledge of childcare practices in order to develop her provision and the outcomes for children. Most recently she has completed a level 3 course on the EYFS and a workshop on the Every Child Matters outcomes. She has completed a basic self-evaluation and demonstrates an understanding of ways in which to identify areas for improvements. In addition, the childminder has dealt with the recommendations from the last inspection,

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provision

which shows her ability to improve the provision further.

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provision

The childminder uses a system to observe what the children do; this includes focused written observations of the children conducted as they take part in planned activities and these are linked to the six areas of learning in the framework. She is beginning to study the children at different times of the day engaging in everyday routines in order to assess their progress in a variety of situations. She recognises that this particular assessment system is new to her and requires further development. In addition, the childminder has identified the need to evaluate the activities and play experiences she provides more frequently to ensure that she monitors the impact on the children. Activity planning is linked to the children's interests, their age and stage of development and includes plenty of time for them to explore natural resources and household items, which the children find fascinating.

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provision

Information gathered from parents when the children first enter the setting is used effectively by the childminder to ensure she is familiar with their starting points. Parents share in their children's learning because photographs and information are provided for them and the assessment records are shared. The childminder has good links with the other care settings that the children attend in order to ensure she complements their provision.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are cared for in a well organised and child-centred environment where they have space to move around freely and explore their surroundings. They benefit from very warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder who skilfully provides reassurance and comfort when they find leaving their parents and carers difficult. Young children can play independently and choose from the suitable resources that are stored at their level. They thoroughly enjoy exploring the contents of the 'treasure basket', which includes pieces of ribbon and items that they like to put in and out of pots. They show their skills in stacking rings onto a post and listen carefully to the music made by hand held 'microphones'. Children's self-esteem is effectively promoted because they receive This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 praise and encouragement as they play, which helps to make them feel proud of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's communication skills are being aided successfully because the childminder talks to the children as they play together, she encourages their babbling and celebrates their verbal communications. They have the chance to collaborate, use their imaginations and practice their creative skills as they make models together, such as the popular 'yellow submarine'. Children learn about the world around them through going on outings in the local area and through resources, such as books about different people and countries. Additionally they engage in projects to find out about the different countries and cultures of Africa and through this process have produced an enlightening album of photographs, images and information. The children learn about the seasons and growth through planting seeds and watching them grow, and they extend these activities to raise funds, for example by sponsoring the sunflower growing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children learn about healthy eating from the childminder who provides them with meals and snacks that are healthy and nutritious. They enjoy a sociable snack time where they sit together with the childminder and they eagerly eat items, such as banana. There are many opportunities for the children to enjoy fresh air and exercise because the garden is easily accessible, safe and secure and the childminder regularly takes them on outings to the local amenities. The children's awareness of good hygiene practices are developing because the childminder uses every day routines to help them to learn. Children's individual sleep patterns and routines are met effectively by the childminder who provides suitable places for the children to rest and cuddles to help them settle to sleep and as a result, the children's good health is promoted. The children are learning about safety through routines for fire evacuation and because the childminder talks to them about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

keeping safe, such as following road safety precautions when on outings. 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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