Thompson, Jane Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 320119 Inspection date 14/09/2009 Inspector Jane Elizabeth O'Callaghan

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1996. She lives with her husband and their two grown up children on the outskirts of Leeds. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, except for the three main bedrooms on the ground floor are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time and is currently providing care for one child in the early years age group and two children in the compulsory childcare group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects and takes children to local schools, visits parks and places of interest.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a level 3 childcare qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are well cared for in a clean, safe and comfortable home. They make progress in their learning and development, as the childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to meet the needs of each individual child in most areas.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder builds good, positive partnerships with parents, which effectively helps her to meet the children's needs. The positive use of self evaluation and reflective practice ensures that the childminder is successfully continuing her own professional development and the development of her childminding service.

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further?

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

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further?

 raise the children’s awareness of what procedures to follow in the event of an emergency evacuation, through regular practising and recording of fire drills  enhance children's independent opportunities to access a wider range of activity choices in their daily environment  further develop planning and assessment arrangements to identify learning priorities for each child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder gives the safety of children high priority. She is aware of the indicators of child abuse and of the procedures to follow for reporting concerns. Thorough risk assessments of her home are carried out and reviewed regularly, to ensure potential hazards are identified and minimised effectively. Risk assessments are also undertaken for each type of outing, so that children are not exposed to obvious harm.

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the early years provision

The play materials are safe, suitable and support children’s learning. However, opportunities for children's independence to develop are limited. The resources are appropriately included in the planning to meet the identified learning goals for each child. The childminder does some observations however, planning and assessment arrangements in the profiles are brief.

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the early years provision

The well organised systems ensure that all required records and documentation are available and successfully provide all necessary information for the ongoing support of each individual child. The childminder is effective in sharing all relevant records with the parents, including any accident and medication records and daily information about activities and events. Parents freely access their children's profiles. The childminder is positive about the inclusion of all children and works to ensure that children of all ages are provided with activities and experiences. The childminder has good relationships with outside agencies and works with local schools and nurseries that children attend. This ensures that children receive continuity of care. For example, the childminder shares profiles and looks at planning at different settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes very effective use of self evaluation and reflective practice to accurately identify the strengths and weaknesses in her provision and to develop continuous improvement of the provision. The childminder continues with her own professional development, by attending training and developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improve and has addressed the recommendation set at her last inspection. As a result, she has increased her resources that reflects positive images of diversity, which ensures continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and exceptionally well settled in the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home. The children are carefully nurtured by the warm, close relationships they have with the childminder, which ensures that the children are confident and feel secure to make choices from the activities and resources provided. For example, children play with the farm and animals and sing about 'Old MacDonald's Farm' and name different animals that they recognise. The childminder encourages the children to count how many fingers they have and to place finger puppets on each of their fingers. Children are keen to encourage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the childminder to have a race with the toy car and motorbike and to compare as to who they think will win the race. Children are excited as they cheer when they win the race.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has good photographic evidence in the profiles of children on walks to farms, playing with the castle and children of all ages playing games together, both inside and outside with the outdoor skittles. Children's profiles are informative, they include children's starting points and contain evidence of children painting, drawing the new bird feeder and of them feeding the birds in the garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children are kept generally safe, as the childminder ensures they are supervised at all times and discussions are held about how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they learn about how to hold hands when they cross the road, when walking to school and parks. However, the children’s awareness of the emergency evacuation procedure is limited. Younger children and those new to the setting confidently move around their surroundings to explore the play resources and also approach the childminder for the support they need. Consequently, they are developing a sense of safety and security.

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and outcomes for children

Children are carefully supported to learn good, basic hygiene skills through the use of effective hygiene routines. Children take themselves to the toilet and wash their own hands and they are provided with disposable towels. Children help themselves to drinks from their own cups, which are available while they play. Children are offered a good range of healthy and balanced meals and snacks with fruit available. The childminder takes detailed information about any special dietary restrictions and works closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of the use of positive strategies to support children’s behaviour and continually gives positive praise to children. She actively encourages children to share and take turns and she is careful to monitor them at play, to ensure that toys and equipment are used safely and appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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