Spooner, Mary 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 EY383203 Inspection date 03/08/2009 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and child aged four years on the north side of Calne, Wiltshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of five minded children under the age of eight years at any one time. She currently cares for four children, all in the early years age group. The childminder walks children to and from local schools and pre-schools but also uses her car for childminding. She attends the nearby carer and toddler group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group. She is working towards a Level 3 childcare qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good. The childminder, who has only been registered for a few months, is highly professional and fully committed to her role. She welcomes all children regardless of their backgrounds and works very closely with parents and others, tailoring her approach to make sure that each child is included, well cared for and making as much progress as they can. She regularly attends training and is currently working towards a Level 3 childcare qualification. She uses her newly found knowledge to improve her provision and demonstrates a strong capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop your use of observations and assessment of children's progress, for example, by using the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance, to plan for children's next steps in learning  take action to prevent children's fingers being trapped in back door and folding kitchen door.

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provision

The childminder looks carefully at all she does, taking account of parents' views and children's interests, so that she accurately identifies key areas for development within her practice. She is eager to further increase her knowledge of children's welfare and development and does this by attending well targeted training and researching information for herself. This has helped her rapidly develop her childminding so that she is now providing high quality care for young children.

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provision

The childminder has written a broad range of policies that underpin how she works and keeps parents well informed. There is a good two way flow of information with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 most parents, which has helped her accurately assess children's needs and the progress they are making. She has been successful, with parents' consent, to access additional professional support for children when needed. Children are learning to value difference and diversity in others, from the childminder's positive attitude, and by using a wide range of resources that show positive images of culture, gender and disability, such as books, dolls and puzzles.

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provision

The children play and are cared for in a very safe environment where the childminder has carefully assessed the risks and taken action to minimise them, with the minor exception of the kitchen doors. Children learn how to keep themselves safe from an early age, for example, they practise emergency evacuations and the childminder reinforces their learning with related stories. Children's welfare is safeguarded well. The childminder has a very clear understanding of her responsibilities to protect children from harm or neglect. She has an excellent knowledge of what to do should she have concerns for a child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. They clearly feel settled and 'at home' in her care. They become very independent, for example, choosing toys and moving between rooms and they happily snuggle into the childminder when they need comfort or reassurance. Children can choose from a wide range of high quality toys that are well organised in low storage units with word and picture labels so that all can see what is available. Play is mostly child- led but those activities planned by the childminder always take account of children's interests and the next steps they need to take. She is starting to make accurate observations of children's progress and records these in their Learning Journey books which are shared with parents. She is beginning to use this information to assess children's achievements and to inform the individual plans which she makes for each of them. This ensures that children's progress is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

carefully monitored and that the provision can be tailored to their individual learning needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to be healthy with the childminder. They look forward to trying different fruits at snack time and parents are encouraged to include healthy options in their children's lunch boxes. Children are given time to eat during relaxed sociable meal times, when they enjoy talking about their day. They play outside everyday and bring coats and wellington boots so that they can go out regardless of the weather, which helps to keep them fit and healthy. They are cared for in a very clean home where children learn the importance of good personal hygiene, such as washing hands before meals. The childminder works closely with parents when children are toilet training to help make it a smooth and stress free time. Children behave well and the childminder uses consistent and clear methods to help children learn right from wrong. They respond well to her firm but caring approach. 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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