Betts Susan Elaine

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 209445 Inspection date 15/04/2009 Inspector Shirley Amanda Wilkes

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and their daughter aged 13 years. They live in a three-bed roomed terraced house on the edge of the town of Stone, close to local schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a secure garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog and guinea pigs that are housed outdoors.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She currently looks after five children, all of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good. The childminder uses her experience to provide a safe and homely environment which supports children's care and learning. Close working relationships with parents help the childminder to meet each child's individual needs. Parents receive detailed information about their child's care, learning and development, including policies and procedures at admission, daily communication diaries and open access to individual records. Assessment and observation systems effectively identify and meet children's individual needs, ensuring that all children make good progress and have an equal opportunity within the setting. However, this is not always used to inform planning for the next steps in children's learning. Self evaluation processes are in the initial stages.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the provision  ensure that the assessment process is used to inform planning for the next steps in children's learning.

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provision

Clear and comprehensive policies and procedures are shared with parents at admission and are openly available for ongoing reference. The childminder works in partnership with parents sharing information and involving them in their child’s learning and development through open access to individual observation and assessment scrapbooks. Daily chats keep parents informed of their child's activities and parents have free access to their child's development files. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 talks with parents about current themes being followed with details displayed so that learning can be extended at home.

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provision

Children are safeguarded. All adults in the home are vetted and written consents are obtained from parents. The childminder fully understands child protection issues and knows the procedure to follow, should the need arise. All potential hazards on the premises are minimised and suitable risk assessments are made and implemented. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, by learning about road safety and rehearsing the fire evacuation procedures.

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provision

The childminder has identified some improvements she wishes to make such as improving the planning for individual children. She has also taken action to remedy the recommendations made at the last inspection so that now her resources support the children's understanding of the wider world. However, she has not yet consolidated her system for ongoing self-evaluation to fully ensure the continuous improvement of her service.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows individual children well and has established warm and genuine relationships with them. Children move around the home confidently and safely because the layout enables this and they know where each type of activity is carried out. The childminder provides a good range of organised toys, activities and equipment suitable for their individual needs which children are able to freely access. The childminder listens and responds to children sensitively, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of learning. Children's enjoyment is further extended as they go on regular, frequent outings to local child orientated groups. Children learn about numbers and problem solving in everyday activities such as counting how many bricks they will need when using construction bricks to create a car wash. Creativity is valued and children are given many opportunities to express themselves through craft activities, role play, song and dance, and playing

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

with sand and water. Accurate observations and assessments are made by the childminder which include what children are interested in, what they are learning and their next steps for progression. However, this information is not always used to inform the planning of activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept healthy as they learn the importance of good hygiene, for example, they wash their hands before they eat and dispose of tissues hygienically after they have blown their noses. They know they must wash their hands when they have been touching the animals and learn to behave respectfully with them so that no one gets hurt.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged by the childminder to use their manners, for example, 'please' and 'thank you' and to apologise when accidentally hurting someone. They enjoy fresh air everyday as they go on walks and outings in the local area. They also develop their muscles during outdoor play and on visits to the local park where they can use large equipment. They are well cared for in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has all systems in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place to respond appropriately. Children are kept safe as the premises are kept secure and the childminder uses a visitors book to record any visitors to the home. 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 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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