Edge Hill University

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 133828 Inspection date 07/09/2009 Inspector Karen Louise Prager

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her partner and six year old son in a semi-detached house in the Garden City area of Kidlington Village, approximately six miles north of Oxford.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with the toilet and a bedroom designated for resting upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a rabbit that is housed in the garden. The home is within walking distance of the canal and a children's play park, as well as local amenities. West Kidlington Primary School and Skips Pre-school are also close to her home. The childminder attends several local carer and toddler groups with minded children on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 provide care for five children under eight years, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group, and of these, one may be under one year. At present, the childminder cares for three children in the early years age group on a part time basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of children’s preferences, interests and home circumstances. She offers an inclusive provision where children appear settled and secure. Documents are generally well maintained and the childminder liaises effectively with parents. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement, and has correctly identified the areas in which she needs to improve her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge about the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure the provision for children includes all aspects  develop the existing systems for observational assessment to include the clear identification of ongoing learning priorities  update policies shared with parents to reflect current regulation and the uniqueness of the setting 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 has a positive attitude to developing her practice. She regularly liaises with other childminders and attends training to build on her sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Required paperwork is in place. The childminder has an appropriate range of policies to support her practice, however, the written documents, which are shared with parents, have not been updated to reflect current regulation and do not reflect the uniqueness of the setting. The childminder has a suitable awareness of her responsibilities to safeguard children and has recently attended safeguarding training. She also renews her first aid qualification appropriately which ensures that she is conversant with current practice. The childminder provides a good range of well maintained toys within her home and makes regular use of local facilities with the children. She spends much of her time talking with children and supporting their

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good relationship that the childminder has developed with parents. The childminder talks to parents when children start attending. Daily talks with parents keep them informed of their children’s development. Partnerships have been developed over the years with the local school and regular contact ensures partnerships are effective for children being cared for. The childminder’s own observations of the children enable her to build on this and she comes to know the children well. Observations are assessed and some next steps of learning are identified. The planning of the children’s day is in place and the interests of children are taken into account when they are asked what activities they wish to do. However the provision for children is not monitored against the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to ensure all aspects are sufficiently incorporated.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a well maintained home that is kept clean and tidy. They settle quickly with the childminder and are confident in her presence. The childminder prepares her home for children before they arrive to present a welcoming environment. A notice board is situated by the front door displaying the essential information about registration and insurance for parents. The childminder sets out a selection of toys each day, appropriate to the children attending. These are regularly changed to provide ongoing interest and challenge to children. The childminder also responds to children’s requests for further resources, which they fetch together from the garage. Children have access to an enclosed garden where they play with sand or water, and sit and ride toys.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder welcomes all children and takes steps to ensure resources are suitable to meet varying needs and interests. A suitable variety of activities is available to children to reflect the different areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Children look at a book with the childminder, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussing the wild animals. They concentrate and make choices when they paint and glue, making a card for their mother. The childminder is able to talk knowledgeably about the children’s likes and dislikes and has recorded some observations and assessments of the children in her care. The garden allows for freedom of movement and children enjoy learning to ride tricycles on the decking area. Children learn to care for living things when they feed the rabbit pieces of salad. Children participate in visits to the local community. They walk to collect

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and outcomes for children

older children from school and visit local play areas or shops. They also travel further afield to visit a children centre and walk by the canal. When outside the home children start to learn about the wider world they live in. The childminder ensures that her home is a safe place for children to play in and provides close supervision. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains dangers to them. Most parents provide the food for the children and the childminder ensures that this is stored in the fridge to keep it fresh. Drinks are available at meal times, and throughout the day, ensuring that children do not become thirsty. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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