Hirst, Michelle Georgina Catherine

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 EY381567 Inspection date 06/08/2009 Inspector Angela Margaret Ellis

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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 has been registered since 2008 and is registered to work with an assistant. She lives with her partner and two children in Birstall, Batley. The ground floor of the property and first floor bathroom and a bedroom are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two dogs, a chinchilla and stick insects.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for one child. When an assistant is working the numbers of children on the Early Years Register may be increased. There are currently three children on roll aged from one to six years. Of these, two are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also cares for children aged over five years to 14 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed required basic childminding training and 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 good. Children are cared for in a safe and stimulating environment where their individual needs are always considered and met. Their welfare is promoted well irrespective of background or ability. This enables all children to make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development. The childminder has a positive commitment to continuous improvement through continued professional development and through identifying strengths and areas for development by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form.

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further?

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

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further?

 use the observations and assessments from parents and others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to identify learning priorities within the planning  consider reviewing the menu to include more healthier, balanced and nutritious options.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and demonstrates a commitment to continued professional development by keeping up-to-date with current childcare practise through accessing training and through her close links with the local Sure Start This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 centres and liaison with the local authority. This all contributes to successfully improving the outcomes for children’s learning.

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provision

The capacities to improve and maintain continuous improvement are demonstrated well through effectively implementing the actions and recommendations made since the last inspection. This involved, improving her knowledge and understanding of the conditions of registration to ensure that maximum registered numbers are not exceeded and she now has appropriate systems to maintain a record of medicines administered to children. This ensures the safe and efficient management of the setting to meet the needs of the children.

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provision

A comprehensive range of policies and procedures are implemented to ensure that all of the children in her care are safe and well cared for. All of the required documents are in place. There are robust procedures for conducting daily checks to make sure that any hazards highlighted through the risk assessment process are minimised or eliminated for indoors, outdoors and outings.

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provision

The children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a clear knowledge and understanding of how to implement the procedures for child protection if necessary, to ensure the well-being of the children is maintained. She is fully aware that all adults over 16 years of age in the home have to have a criminal records bureau check.

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provision

A successful partnership with parents contributes to promoting inclusive practice and this enables the childminder to support the individual needs of children and provide continuity of care for them. Good information is provided for them that includes regular newsletters. Positive feed back from parents through questionnaires clearly demonstrates their appreciation of the service that she provides.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. This is because the childminder has embraced the changes brought about by the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She does this by providing a stimulating and child centred environment. For example, many of the resources are arranged well to be easily accessible to encourage all children to make independent choices and there is also lots of children’s art work displayed. Which demonstrates that the childminder values the children and this helps them to feel a sense of belonging. There is effective planning for play and exploration both in and outdoors, with a balance of adult lead and child led activities and spontaneous events that results in children being active learners and being creative.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are clearly happy and settled and this is evident by them being confident in independently following their own interests. For example, children were very much interested in imaginative role play both indoors and outdoors in the playhouse and with the small world characters, dolls and soft toys. They were familiar and could relate to the characters from films and television. A warm, caring relationship between the children and the childminder has been established. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children are supported by her well and she demonstrates an understanding of when to engage or not with them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder observes the children to find out about what they know, can do and enjoy when they start and this forms part of an ongoing assessment. Observations are clearly matched to the areas of learning and the next step of learning for individual children is identified to inform future plans. The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and other providers delivering the EYFS for children, such as the local nursery to exchange information about children’s progress. However, this information is not effectively used to identify learning priorities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about the local community and the natural world around them, they learn to have an awareness of the seasons through a good range of outings and outdoor activities, including visits to the local Sure Start Centre and places of interests, such as the farm where the children learn to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice well to ensure that every child is included and she does this by providing activities that all children can take part in.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and well- being is generally well met because children learn the importance of cleanliness through good daily hygiene routines. Posters displayed reinforce the importance of hand washing and information about swine flu and precautions are in place to prevent cross infection. The children’s views have been sought in relation to meals they like to eat, and many of the items on the menu consist of sweet or processed foods, such as chicken nuggets, chicken kiev, swiss roll and sweets, therefore, not fully conducive to being balanced and nutritious. On the day of the inspection children enjoyed jam sandwiches made from white bread, a piece of cheese, a slice of cucumber and cocktail sausages. Some of the meals are made from scratch, using fresh ingredients and fruit is offered at snack time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to evacuate the home safely in an emergency because fire drills are practised regularly and a record is kept of them. Children behave well in response to the childminder's positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour. Clear and realistic boundaries are established which effectively promote children’s understanding of right and wrong. The childminder successfully provides a good range of activities that captures children's interests and, therefore, they behave well. They learn to share and take turns, care about and respect each other and other things. The childminder is a positive role model and children learn to care for plants that they are growing and the environment through encouraging the children to recycle. 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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