Chitty, Jacqueline Yvonne

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 EY231388 Inspection date 20/04/2009 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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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 2003. She lives with her partner and three children aged thirteen, ten and six years in Marlborough. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are shops, schools and parks within walking distance of the home. Only the ground floor is used for childminding, except for the upstairs bathroom. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years at any one time, including three children in the early years age range. She is currently caring for five children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder regularly attends the local toddler group and a music group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder offers an inclusive early years provision, where each child is valued as an individual. She knows the children well, respects their preferences and understands their differing home circumstances. She offers a varied programme of activities, both at home and within the local area, that help to support the children's learning. She understands the areas of her practice requiring development, such as the assessment system and has the capacity to improve the quality of the welfare and learning offered to the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment procedure, to ensure that observations are used to assess each child's stage of development across all aspects of the curriculum and to plan for the next steps in their learning  develop the links with parents and other key early years providers, to ensure they are encouraged to share what they know about a child's progress, in order to help inform assessments  make sure the premises are secure in order that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised and develop the record of risk assessments to include each type of outing experienced by the children  improve the organisation of the provision to ensure sufficient child sized furniture is available to support the children's welfare and promote the development of their social skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is an experienced early years provider, who undertakes targeted training to support her professional development. She has a clear understanding of her important role in protecting children and knows the correct procedures to follow if concerned about the welfare of a child. The childminder has a positive relationship with the parents. They are provided with valuable written information about the provision, its policies and procedures, prior to a child starting in the setting. They are kept up to date through daily diaries and regular informal discussion. In addition, through questionnaires, parents are invited to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision and thus support the childminder's development. The childminder is a reflective practitioner who is aware of her strengths and knows the main areas for development. However, she does not have sufficient child sized furniture for the number of children currently in her care. This means they have to

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provision

sit on the floor both when eating and playing. Such an arrangement means children are playing on a floor area that is not always hygienically clean and does not support the development of children's meal time skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children appear settled and self-assured within the provision. They have a very positive rapport with the friendly childminder and approach her spontaneously for hugs and cuddles. Children have opportunities to make decisions for themselves regarding the activities they wish to explore. For example, the children decide to 'telephone' family members whilst investigating role play resources, after having built an enclosure for a selection of small world farmyard animals. They benefit from the childminder's involvement in their play, such as when reading stories or joining in with children's action songs. The childminder plans a range of age appropriate weekly outings in the locality, such as to a soft play centre, a local farm, music tots or a toddler group. Such opportunities enable children to increase their appreciation of the wider world, whilst playing with a wider circle of peers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is undertaking written observations of the children, linked to the areas of development. These are placed in the children's individual scrapbooks, together with relevant photographs and examples of the children's art work. However, the childminder is not assessing children's actual stages of learning or evaluating children's achievements across all aspects of the curriculum. Information from assessments is not used to effectively plan the next steps in a child's learning. In addition parents and other key early years providers attended by the children, are not invited to contribute to assessments.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The provision is appropriately clean and maintained. There is a range of measures to support the children's safety. A record of risk assessments is in place for the premises, a gate prevents children's unsupervised access to the stairs and cleaning materials are securely stored. In addition, through practical activities, including taking part in emergency evacuation drills and tidying away toys after play, children are learning how to keep themselves safe. However, the provision is not kept secured, which means they could leave the premises unsupervised and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 record of risk assessments does not include each type of outing experienced by the children. Children are gaining an appreciation of healthy eating through the varied menu of nutritious snacks that they enjoy whilst in the childminder's care. Through topic based activities, including sampling Chinese food as part of Chinese New Year

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

celebrations, children are widening their appreciation of food tastes. Nevertheless, children are not always able to help themselves to drinks, which may result in them not consuming fluids in sufficient quantities to meet their differing requirements. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted.

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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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