Cartwright, Carol

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 225492 Inspection date 19/08/2009 Inspector Patricia King

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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 1986. She lives with her husband and one adult child in a residential area on the outskirts of Melton Mowbray which is situated in the north of Leicestershire. All of the ground floor and the back bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's home is used and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of six children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding nine children in this age group. She also offers to care for children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses local community resources on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Leicestershire Childminding Network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This childminder organises her home and daily routines to ensure that children are safe and secure and are offered innovative and challenging opportunities across all areas of learning and development. Children are happy, settled and confident because the childminder takes great care to establish all available information about them and their individual care, learning and development needs. She fosters close working relationships with parents by providing them with excellent information about her services and their child's care and learning. She develops strong partnerships with others involved in the children's lives, for example, the local playgroup and school, which positively supports children’s overall development. She has established efficient systems to monitor and evaluate her practice and secures a real capacity to maintain development by recognising the importance of effective appraisal by herself and users of her services.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 drawing upon existing systems of self evaluation to continue efficient assessment of performance and sustain ongoing improvement.

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provision

The childminder promotes children's safety by undertaking thorough risk assessments of her premises, all outings and activities and by maintaining vigilant This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervision at all times. She gives attentive consideration to the inclusion of all children and effectively organises activities and learning opportunities so that they are fully enabled to participate safely and confidently according to their age and capability. Children are safeguarded effectively because the childminder has a robust understanding of child protection procedures and knows what to do to report any concerns.

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provision

This childminder uses an extensive and detailed range of written policies to effectively promote children's health, safety and welfare and parents are provided with copies of these important documents. All necessary records are completed efficiently and parents receive written details of their children’s daily care and routines. She has established excellent systems to sensitively observe and assess what children can do, uses this information efficiently to plan for individual children’s next steps and keep parents well informed of their children’s progress. She values the excellent partnerships she has created with parents which means they feel fully informed and included at all times. She has established contacts with others involved in the children's lives, for example, the nursery and school which supports children’s overall development.

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provision

This childminder received no recommendations for improvement from her previous inspection. She has subsequently established efficient and effective systems to evaluate and appraise her performance actively seeking comments from children and parents. She has secured a capacity for continued improvement and development of her services and has fully implemented the requirements and guidance accompanying the Early Years Foundation Stage and Framework. She is committed to personal development and embraces relevant training opportunities to support her work with young children. Consequently children benefit from her excellent practice and make good progress in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder’s home abounds with interesting and educational posters, displays of children’s work and helpful relevant information. An excellent range of toys and resources is stored within easy reach to promote independence and children move freely between different activities indoors and outside. Children’s health and welfare are effectively promoted because the childminder is an excellent role model and ensures children learn through daily routines.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is well-informed, experienced and skilled which means she is always prepared to offer exciting, innovative and challenging learning opportunities for children according to their individual needs and capabilities. For example, children have explored their own and other cultures and religions, sharing their personal experiences of special occasions and celebrations and learning about the lives of others in the wider world. They have collected postcards and crafts from their family holidays, shared their adventures and experiences and made scrapbooks as they learn from practical experience about different countries and lifestyles. In this way children are learning that they are special individuals in a wider world and to appreciate diversity in others. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The daily programme of planned and spontaneous activities is organised and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

effectively delivered to ensure that children have real opportunities to practise and progress in numeracy and problem solving and have diverse opportunities to practise their mark making. For example, making lists for shopping, in role play and recording their experiences and adventures. They have a multitude of opportunities to foster their imagination and creativity and enjoy working with a wide variety of mediums such as gloop, paint, water and sand. They benefit effectively from a wide range of trips which includes visits to local shops, the library, soft play, farms, and parks, which help them learn about their local community. This means children participate in an innovative and enticing range of learning opportunities as they work, play and exercise in the fresh air.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children proudly talk about their work on display and the photos of them at play, which effectively promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They have a positive attitude to learning fostered by this inspired childminder and the exceptional range of activities provided. This results in children being active learners, creative and critical thinkers. Children have excellent awareness of right and wrong in line with their stage of development and respond happily to the consistent good role model, praise and encouragement offered. They are delighted when their good behaviour is recognised which means they are spurred on to respect and help others.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This childminder has thoroughly implemented all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage including robust systems of observations and assessment to inform planning for individual children’s next steps. This ensures that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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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