Summers, Jacqueline

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 317282 Inspection date 24/08/2009 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 1995. She lives with her seven year old son in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Children have access to the whole of the house and there is a fully enclosed rear garden with covered play area available for outdoor play. The childminder provides care from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday throughout the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the Early Years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder is also registered to care for older children. The childminder either works alone or jointly works with an assistant. When working with an assistant, jointly they are registered to care for a maximum of seven children aged under eight years. The childminder has use of her car to take children on local trips and outings.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group. The childminder holds an early years qualification and has recently enrolled as a network childminder. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register, the Childcare Register and voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are provided with exceptional play opportunities and an extensive selection of age appropriate resources that support their individual interests and preferences and ongoing learning and development. They positively thrive in this warm, friendly, relaxed and inclusive environment where they are affectionately cared for by a qualified and experienced childminder. Children are exceptionally well supported and their individual needs are well met as they freely explore their surroundings. The childminder has established sound relationships with parents and most systems are in place for the sharing of information to ensure children continue to make steady progress in their early development. The childminder is highly motivated to improve her everyday working practices and has made a start to the self-evaluation process.

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further?

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

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further?

 devise systems for recording children's developmental starting points, and further develop the use of observation and assessment to identify the next steps in childrens learning for future planning  continue to encourage parents' involvement in their children's learning and development and establish ways of working with parents to encourage them to help with their children's learning at home. 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 practitioner who holds an early years qualification and organises her childminding service to provide flexible care for parents and to meet children’s individual needs. Children’s care and welfare is effectively promoted due to the childminders exceptional knowledge of child development and excellent understanding of how children learn through play. She knows the children exceptionally well through long standing arrangements established with parents and as a result, children are very happy, settled and making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is well organised and she maintains the required record keeping documentation in a confidential manner and has a detailed set of written policies and procedures which are available to parents and carers. These are effectively implemented in her everyday practice. Parents are extremely supportive of the childminders flexible

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provision

care and professional service she provides and they state how much she is thought of by them and their children as a 'supportive childminder' who 'loves children' and cares for them in a 'happy and safe environment'.

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provision

The childminder has made a start to the self-evaluation process and has obtained information from parents using questionnaires. She understands the importance of regularly reviewing her childcare provision to improve the outcomes for children. The childminder is a dedicated and highly motivated practitioner who has made ongoing improvement in her practices since the last inspection and is keen to improve her own knowledge and understanding by keeping up-to-date in any childcare issues and by further developing her own professional development by attending additional core training and by enrolling as a network childminder.

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provision

Children are safeguarded. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of child protection issues and understands the procedures to follow if she was concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. The safeguarding policy is maintained and she has attended recent refresher training and renewed her first aid certificate. Children are kept safe and secure in this well organised family home. The childminder checks the environment daily making sure resources are suitable for the children attending. She clearly explains how she minimises risks to children in her home and on outings through appropriate safety arrangements and detailed written risk assessment. Records ensure that children are collected by named persons who are known to the childminder, all visitors are recorded and procedures are in place to ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and contented individuals who enjoy themselves and have fun playing with their friends and siblings. They relax in comfortable home-from- home surroundings and freely explore their environment in safety. Children develop self-esteem and self-confidence through the positive reinforcement and challenge skilfully used by the childminder as they play together during the day. The childminder knows the children well. She ensures that she meets children’s This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual needs by gathering appropriate information from parents about routines, health and care needs. The childminder also discusses previous achievements, interests and milestones already reached to help with future planning for children’s ongoing development. This information, however, is not recorded. The childminder observes children as they play and takes numerous photographs which she

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

displays on the playroom wall. These are also collected in individual photo albums. Simple assessments are made and tracker records are completed to show progress in the different areas of learning. The next step in children’s learning although known by the childminder and used to plan for future activities and play opportunities, are not formally recorded in planning. 'Parent books' are completed daily by the childminder. These contain details of activities undertaken during the day and record individual care and welfare needs to ensure continuity of care. The childminder encourages parents to add comments in these documents, for example, about what their child does at home, new interests, visits to places or people and the learning that they undertake with them, however, there are limited entries made by parents to support this.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to an extensive range of resources which are stored at low level and suitable for their age and ability. Activities are led by the children’s own interest. Children enjoy the company of the childminder. She sits on the floor reading books and playing balancing games prompting counting and recognition of colours. Children interact with her confidently as she reinforces their language and communication skills continuously as they recall what they have done over the weekend. Children experience many healthy outdoor activities, either playing in the garden, visiting the local parks, playgrounds and soft play facilities and through their daily walks in the community when collecting children from school. Children enjoy dressing up, role play and creative activities using different mark making utensils on large sheets of paper on the floor.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes healthy eating and good hygiene practices. Children gain independence as they wipe their hands before sitting down at the small child- sized table together to eat their fresh fruit snack and honey covered crumpets. Fresh drinking water is readily available at all times. Children are well behaved. The childminder uses positive methods to encourage good behaviour and she encourages children to respect other peoples property and to think about their own and others safety by asking them to help tidy up toys. Children understand what to do if there was an emergency through practising the fire evacuation procedure regularly and they learn about keeping safe when crossing roads when they are out walking. 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? 1 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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