Orbell, Tracey Jayne

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 EY318185 Inspection date 08/05/2009 Inspector Rachel Wyatt

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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 10 and four in Yardley, Birmingham. They live within walking distance of schools, nurseries, shops, a library and several parks. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and includes a toilet and shower room. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are a few small steps to the property and in the garden and one step within the ground floor. Children have regular opportunities to visit local parks and farms. The family has a rabbit.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two 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 compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to a local school and nursery to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification level 3 Children's Care Learning and Development.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children thrive because the childminder ensures they are well looked after and that a wide range of enjoyable activities reflect their interests and individual learning needs. A very good partnership with parents ensures that children's circumstances are clearly understood and the childminder positively treats children with equal concern, fully reflecting their individuality in her provision. The childminder's strong commitment to developing her knowledge and practice, and to provide an inviting child-friendly environment benefits all children and their families. In the main she has robust systems for monitoring and evaluating her childminding so she is able to take prompt action to address any areas for development.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop further systems for evaluating the effectiveness of the provision. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 request written permission from all parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 22/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder is passionate about providing quality provision for children and ensuring parents understand her role and responsibilities. For example, following recent training she revised all her written policies, giving copies to parents. She ensures the purpose of her procedures are clearly understood by including relevant explanations and cross referencing to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements and other related legislation. The childminder is highly motivated to develop her own practice as she regularly attends training, recently achieved a level three early years qualification, and carries out her own personal research. As a result, children benefit because, for example, she has devised and implemented a robust assessment and planning system which is used successfully to track each child's progress and to plan for their individual needs.

p.4

provision

Children are safeguarded. The childminder's sound understanding of child protection and her robust safeguarding procedures ensure children's welfare is carefully monitored and any concerns are promptly acted on. The childminder ensures she knows about children's family circumstances such as, who has parental responsibility and who has legal contact with each child. She has clear arrangements regarding who may collect children. Her safety procedures are robust, including the thorough use of risk assessments and related safety checks. Children's health is also promoted. The childminder's home is clean and comfortable. She is well informed about each child's medical, dietary and cultural needs and carefully reflects these in her practice. Parents are fully aware of her accident, emergency, medication and sick children procedures. However, although the childminder has very good first aid arrangements, including obtaining parents'

p.4

provision

agreements to her administering this, she has not obtained every parents' required written consent to her seeking emergency medical advice and treatment for their child. This potentially compromises children's wellbeing in such circumstances if their parents are unable to be present.

p.4

provision

Partnerships with parents are successful and very much valued. From the outset parents and carers are encouraged to get to know the childminder and how she operates. Effective settling in arrangements reassure children and their families. Parents have access to excellent information about how the childminder organises and manages her childminding, including the opportunity to read and discuss her portfolio. Feedback to parents about their children's routines, overall care, activities and achievements is exemplary and includes the use of daily diaries for each child. The childminder gives parents clear information about how she implements the EYFS to promote children's welfare, learning and development. Parents' views about their child's skills, interests and routines help the childminder to establish children's starting points and to plan for their individual needs. Parents are fully informed about their child's progress as they have regular opportunities to read

p.4

provision

their child's detailed assessment records and to discuss their progress with the childminder. Parents' comments make it clear they very much appreciate the high quality of the childminding provision. The childminder also has sound strategies for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 working with any other settings children may attend whilst in her care in order to ensure consistency in supporting their development and care.

p.4

provision

Children and families benefit from the childminder's commitment to improvement. Since the last inspection she has developed a most welcoming designated area in her home which she uses for childminding. Children really appreciate the inviting child-friendly and comfortable facilities where they can help themselves to a very good range of interesting books, toys and resources and be increasingly independent in using the well-equipped toilet facilities. Direct access to the garden enables plenty of rewarding spontaneous and planned outdoor play. The childminder has generally very sound systems for monitoring her effectiveness in meeting the needs of families and children and the EYFS requirements. This includes regularly encouraging parents' feedback; maintaining children's health and safety through robust risk assessment and checks, and careful monitoring of children's progress. The childminder has also fully addressed previous inspection

p.5

provision

recommendations. However, she is not fully confident in evaluating her own strengths and areas for development which leads to the occasional oversight, for example, with regard to an aspect of record keeping.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make very good progress. The childminder creates a most inviting and interesting environment where they quickly settle. Children take part in a good balance of rewarding child-led and adult-initiated activities both at her home or at other interesting venues. As a result children are eager to learn, confident to decide what they want to play with and purposeful. The childminder's excellent assessment and planning procedures ensure she clearly understands each child's starting points, carefully tracks their progress in all areas of learning, and successfully identifies and plans for their individual learning priorities. The childminder promotes consistency and enjoyment for children by ensuring she reflects their interests and choices in activities, and by encouraging parents to regularly contribute their views about their child's development. Children's concentration and understanding are enhanced by the childminder's involvement in

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

their play. She chats easily to them, promoting their ideas, building on and extending their understanding, and provides a stimulating range of toys, resources, games and books.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are active learners. Their observations, exploration and critical thinking are encouraged in meaningful practical ways. For example, they plant and tend bulbs and tomato plants; help to look after the family's rabbit, and regularly visit a local farm where they observe a variety of animals and how their young grow and change. The childminder consistently encourages children's numeracy and reasoning as they play. They count and recognise numbers with increasing accuracy, use counting and numbers as part of simple problem solving, and enjoy applying these to real live situations, for example, when out shopping or during cooking or gardening. Children are encouraged to be creative. They draw and paint expressively; dress up in a range of child-size cultural and traditional clothes, and take part in sustained role play, for instance acting out serving meals using a great variety of domestic play items including realistic looking food and utensils.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are very well supported in developing skills for the next stage in their lives. They are articulate, confident speakers, expressing ideas, recalling events and asking and answering questions. They love books and stories and have a sound understanding of letters and sounds, including confidently practising their mark making and emergent writing. Children enjoy using the computer and programmable toys to support their learning. They are resourceful and independent. Children readily make decisions about what they want to play with; increasingly manage their personal care and hygiene, and confidently feed themselves, including helping with food preparation such as making their own sandwiches. Children behave well and have positive relationships. They know what is expected of them, discussing and agreeing a realistic set of house rules which

p.6

The quality and standards of the early years provision

reflect the childminder's expectations outlined in her behaviour management policy. Children are encouraged and praised for their efforts to share, take turns, be kind and helpful. Any inappropriate behaviour is calmly managed, with suitable explanations to help children understand the consequences of their actions or words. They also learn respect for each other's backgrounds and the wider world, through meaningful activities and using delightful books and toys reflecting positive images of diversity. Children also behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others. They understand about using equipment and toys correctly, learn about road safety when out, and are sensitively encouraged to talk about different situations and associated feelings. Through activities, discussions and play children develop a very good understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They relish being outdoors and being physically active. Children

p.6

The quality and standards of the early years provision

competently use a wide range of physical apparatus, know why and when they should wash their hands, and make healthy choices about what to eat and drink. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

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.7

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.7

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8