Nash, Claire Louise

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 EY289429 Inspection date 23/07/2009 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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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 2004. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group cared for on a sessional basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their two children age six and one year. They live in a house in Bexley Borough, close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding although children are mostly cared for on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets. The childminder 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. Children are happy and settled, because the childminder is attentive to their care and welfare. They follow individual routines that flow with their needs, such as meal and rest times. Children enjoy a variety of structured activities, encouraging them to be creative and develop artistic skills. The childminder organises her setting so that all children are included in activities and enjoy a balance of indoor and outdoor play. The childminder demonstrates much capacity for improvement and children have better outcomes in areas of health and safety since the last inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 plan and organise free-play experiences, to address the differing ages and stages of children cared for, their interests and learning styles  ensure children's starting points are clearly recorded and observations of children's attainments are matched to the six areas of learning and the expectations of the early learning goals

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provision

The childminder is organised and efficient with record keeping and conscientiously strives to ensure her childminding policies and procedures are effectively put into practice, promoting good outcomes for children. She is keen to undertake further training and seeks support from early years advisors to help promote children's learning and development in the setting. Positive partnerships with parents are established through several meetings prior to the start of a placement, use of contracts to agree provision and ongoing discussion. Parents provide written consent for their children to take part in a range of activities and have access to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminding records, such as accidents and medication, promoting children's welfare. Children are safeguarded in the setting because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues, undertakes effective risk

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provision

assessment to minimise hazards and manages group care safely, such as ensuring younger children do not have access to toys with small parts. The childminder thinks about the sort of activities she offers to children and plans and provides a range of creative activities. She evaluates well the structured activities offered, although less consideration is given to the management and delivery of free-play activities for the differing age groups of children cared for in the setting. This means that sometimes children's choices are limited and they do not always have ready access to resources of interest to them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder provides a good range of planned and structured activities, including cooking, cutting, sticking, making things and painting activities. Children have lots of opportunities to work with numbers, counting and calculating, through baking activities and working out for how long to set the timer. Children enjoy mark- making activities, drawing and colouring, including making and playing games, such as the fishing game. Children are well able to describe what they like best, the sorts of activities and resources they enjoy and feel able to express their wishes. For example, a preference to play with fuzzy felt over an alternative offered. Generally during free-play times, the childminder will ask older children what they would like to play with, encouraging children to make a choice from a range of suggestions. Children are enjoying and achieving well in the setting, but

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sometimes choices are limited, because the childminder organises the home so that younger and older children generally all play together in the same area. As a result, the childminder considers some activities suitable for older children, as unsafe for younger children, so some resources are not readily available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder keeps suitable records of children's achievements, including observations of new learning skills, the activities they take part in, where and with whom they play. The childminder has a good understanding of the six areas of learning, although these are better identified for older than younger children. Progress is monitored well, although not always evaluated or matched to the expectations of the early learning goals. Starting points are not always clearly recorded, although the childminder is well able to describe the progress children have made over a period of time. Children are clearly happy, settled, secure and thriving in the setting, because the childminder is skilled at balancing and meeting the individual welfare needs of the children. Children develop warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and enjoy sitting together for stories and looking at books. They have a good range and balance of nutritious meals and snacks and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the childminder talks to children about healthy eating, so that they know which foods are more and less beneficial to their health. Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise, and the childminder follows good hygiene practices, helping children to be healthy. 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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