Fisher, Pamela 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 EY260375 Inspection date 19/08/2009 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her husband and their three children aged ten, seven and four years. They live in a dormer bungalow in Heysham. All ground floor areas of the property are used for childminding and comprise of a playroom, lounge and kitchen/dining area. Upstairs, the main bedroom is used for children's sleeping purposes and the family bathroom for their toileting needs. There is a garden to the rear used for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years. There are currently six children on roll who attend on various days throughout the week. Children over eight years are also looked after and those with learning disabilities and difficulties are supported.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education in 2005. Advice, support and training are gained from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is developing her knowledge and understanding of how to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively so that children's welfare and learning needs are promoted well. A willingness to acquire further knowledge of child development is testimony to continuous improvement, supported by emerging self-evaluation. Inclusive practice is embedded in the overall ethos and policies of the setting for all children and their families. Partnership with parents is strong and ensures that every child's needs are met very well, aided by comprehensive written documentation obtained at enrolment. Children's safety and inclusion features well in the childminder’s everyday practice, thereby ensuring that every child can take full advantage of the range of activities and experiences provided for them.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that parents and carers are provided with good up-to-date information by revising and updating the wording of some documents so that they reflect accurately the Early Years Foundation Stage framework  continue to develop assessment systems in order to match the observations of children to the expectations of the learning goals and 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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provision

There are comprehensive written policies and procedures in place to enhance the welfare and safety of the children attending this setting. Not all policies have however been revised to reflect the up-to-date wording relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder is beginning to use self-assessment as a tool for improvement and recognises that this will lead to improving outcomes for children's care and learning. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed satisfactorily. The childminder is committed to professional development and strives to provide high quality care. Knowledge gained from training and discussion with other childcare professionals is implemented effectively to improve practice, such as using observations of children's progress to inform future planning and to identify their next steps in learning. The ways in which children's progress is recorded requires further development to ensure

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provision

planning is linked to identify next steps in individual children's learning journey. Some photographic records are included in each child's folder to show how children are developing and making progress towards achieving the early learning goals.

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provision

Partnerships with parents, and other providers when necessary, effectively ensure that information is shared and children's all-round welfare and development is promoted well. The childminder encourages new parents to share information about their child during the settling in process so that she is fully informed about their daily routines, likes, dislikes and what they can already do. Information is actively shared everyday about what children have been doing, so continuity of care is maintained in the best interests of each child. Parents and carers are invited to accompany their child or children on organised trips that the childminder organises. One recent such trip was to Blackpool Zoo and others included Maize's Maze.

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provision

The childminder fully understands her responsibility to safeguard children. She has updated her awareness by attending training in this area and is confident to implement the required procedures appropriately. She has proactively arranged, ahead of her renewal date, to complete a paediatric first aid course so maintaining up-to-date knowledge. Children are always fully supervised in their play, whilst being actively encouraged in developing safe and age-appropriate levels of independence. Children, for instance, enjoy physical challenges when accessing play equipment at the park and in the garden safely, and learn about personal safety when taking part in the regular emergency evacuation drills with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises space, time and resources well to meet the children's needs. For example, children are able to sleep without disturbance in a quieter part of the house. The childminder values all children in her care and the children experience a sense of belonging in the welcoming family home. Their work, pictures and posters are displayed to promote children's feelings of self-worth and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievement. Children have the opportunity to move around freely and develop some independence as they self-select toys from toy boxes. Children are learning to show care and concern for one another with older children willingly sharing toys with the toddlers. Children can freely access their own cup for a drink when they are thirsty and enjoy healthy home made meals and snacks of fruit, such as pineapple and grapes. Interaction is good between the childminder and the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children. They share lots of laughter as they spend time playing on the floor together, clearly enjoying the attention.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported well in their play and are encouraged to learn how to share and to play with one another harmoniously when being in group situations at the toddler group or when visiting with other childminders and their children. These opportunities enable their growing social skills to be fostered alongside other children of similar and different ages. They use a wide variety of resources for expressing themselves, including mark making with pens, crayons and paint brushes, being creative with art materials and malleable play, interactive books, music and dressing up. Children take part in simple baking activities, learn about where their food comes from, and help to select goods from the shelf in the shop.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All ages of children are provided with experiences and support to help them develop a positive sense of self and of others in the immediate and wider environment. The childminder maintains and encourages children's emotional well- being, helping them to learn about themselves and others and to become self- confident and active learners. Children are thus, happy and secure in this home- from-home childcare environment. This is reflected in their behaviour, which is managed in a caring and sensitive way, ensuring children's concerns and needs are fully supported. 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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