Thompson, Sandra

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 EY299010 Inspection date 15/05/2009 Inspector Elenora Griffin

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 their children aged five and three years in a residential area in Warwick. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are shops, schools, pre-schools, toddler groups and parks close by. The family have two guinea pigs and fish.

p.3

Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. When working with another childminder, she is registered to care for five children at any one time. She currently cares for three children in the early years age group.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children who speak English as an additional language and those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, although access to the first floor is by stairs only. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming environment of the childminder's home. They enjoy having their needs well met by the childminder who works closely in partnership with parents and carers. Children benefit from accessing a wide range of activities and experiences that support them to make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is committed to making continuous improvement. She responds positively to recommendations made to improve practice and in partnership with her co-childminder has identified clear priorities for further improvement.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop observation, assessment and planning systems further in order to effectively build upon children's next steps in learning and development  develop systems further for self-evaluation to ensure that clearly identify priorities for future development actively contribute towards maintaining continuous improvement.

p.3

provision

The childminder and her co-childminder have formally evaluated their practice. Qualified to level three, the childminder brings her knowledge and experience into the process. Building upon feedback from parents the childminders have clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 identified strong areas of practice to build upon and priorities for future improvement. Whilst these priorities include important areas for development, such as safeguarding children and support for learning and development, self-evaluation systems do not include details of how priorities will be monitored to ensure that they actively contribute towards maintaining continuous improvement.

p.3

provision

Children benefit from the close, positive relationships that are developed with parents and carers. Good information sharing systems ensure that the childminder gets to know children and their families well. Daily dairies and chats ensure that children benefit from continuity of care and that the childminder continues to develop her knowledge of children's needs and interests in order to more effectively support their learning and development. For example, she is developing her knowledge of the other languages that children speak at home in addition to English. Feedback from parents is very positive, they are pleased with the wide variety of activities provided, the support given and the thoughtful consideration given to any recommendations that they make.

p.4

provision

Children are safeguarded from harm and neglect and positive steps are taken to promote their welfare. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protections issues and has developed her policies and procedures to include procedures from the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They have fun exploring train tracks, joining long lines of trains together, starting to count them out and negotiating them under and over bridges. Children benefit from the attentiveness of the childminder who interacts sensitively with them in their play. She engages children in interactions, encouraging them to share and to takes turns and talking to them as they sit together for meals. Children enjoy group activities, taking turns to throw balls from one to another, learning to be sensitive to the needs of younger children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well supported in their learning and development by the childminder who gets to know them well. 'All about me' records completed with parents enable the childminder to develop a good understanding of children's starting points and care routines. Building on this initial information the childminder has compiled photographs, observations and samples of children's work into individual files. Working with her co-childminder, the childminder plans a wide range of activities and experiences for children. Although these promote children's progress across all areas of learning and development, learning outcomes are not always fully maximised. This is because observation, assessment and planning systems do not always clearly demonstrate how children's individual next steps are built upon.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children continue to make good progress in their learning and development through accessing the interesting and stimulating activities and experiences provided. They have fun exploring musical instruments, playing with water, dressing up and painting. Children enjoy a wide range of art and craft activities and regular opportunities to cook with the childminder. They learn about the world This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 around them through practical experiences such as keeping caterpillars that they see turn into butterflies. Children reap the benefits of daily opportunities to be active outside in the fresh air. They enjoy trips to parks and playing in the childminder's garden where they play in the sand pit, ride on bikes and in cars, climb, slide and jump on the trampoline. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

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