Brannan, Sara

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY219328 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Gill Thornton

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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

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.

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and children aged 17 and 14 years in in the coastal town of Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, close to shops, parks and the local school. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 six children in this age group all on a part-time basis. Overnight care may be provided for two children under eight years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 16 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder cares for a small number of children who speak English as an additional language and has experience of supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and she is also a registered respite carer.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends several children's groups on a regular basis. The family has a dog and keeps tropical fish.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in the stimulating and nurturing environment provided by the childminder and make significant progress in their learning and development. Exemplary partnerships with parents ensure children receive exceptionally individualised levels of support leading to effective continuity of care and learning. Children experience a wealth of innovative activities and enjoy a prolific range of outings into the local community. The childminder has high aspirations for quality through ongoing improvement. A strong commitment to inclusion throughout her practice ensures children learn to appreciate and understand the diversity of the society in which they live.

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further?

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

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further?

 expanding opportunities to further develop relationships with other practitioners. 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 an excellent understanding of her legal duties and responsibilities in relation to child protection issues. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure children's welfare. Children's well-being is significantly enhanced by exceptional organisation and planning for continuous improvement. The childminder carries out extensive monitoring and evaluation of her practice, which take account of the views of parents and children, to ensure priorities for development are accurately targeted to improve outcomes for all children. The childminder carries out thorough and vigorous risk assessments on the indoor and outdoor environment, and before undertaking outings, to ensure children's safety at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder is passionate about what she does and as a result provides an extemporary service for children and their families. Parents and carers unreservedly express their appreciation of the care provided. They receive extensive information about their children's activities and achievements via their learning stories, displays and photograph albums detailing the activities enjoyed throughout the past year. Comments such 'a wonderful record of all the amazing things you achieve with your little family of children' and 'as a teacher I can only imagine the number of hours that have gone into producing this learning journey…proof of the wonderful care you provide'. Every family is actively included in the life of the setting and invited to attend the Christmas party and celebrations such as a meal in a Chinese restaurant with their children, the childminder and her family to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a well-qualified and highly experienced practitioner who is dedicated to improving her knowledge and practice through continuous professional development. She plays an active part of the local community and is involved in running a small local childminding group which provides an extension to her provision enabling children to benefit from wider social experiences and space to enjoy large scale activities and visits from members of the community such as a police officer, police dog handler, dental nurse, ambulance and school crossing patrol officer.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with others and takes the lead role in established secure working relationships. She has identified the need to develop further links with other settings which the children may attend in due course. Well-established systems of communication successfully promote children's transition into school. The childminder has an exceptional knowledge of each child's individual background and needs and ensures this is positively reflected in the resources and activities provided. As a result, children learn from the earliest age to value diversity in others and grow up making a positive contribution to society. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children flourish and enjoy meaningful learning opportunities in the vibrant and welcoming environment. The childminder makes very effective use of space and resources and provides children with an exceptional range of high quality toys and equipment to promote their learning and development. Children benefit from an excellent range of child-sized furniture and equipment so that can play and explore in comfort and safety. The childminder values each child as a unique individual and provides them with extremely well-planned play-based learning experiences based upon observations of their interests and abilities to provide challenge and enjoyment. Consequently, all children make significant gains in their learning and have consistently high levels of achievement towards the early learning goals given their capabilities and starting points. The childminder successfully plans an appropriate balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities around topics and

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and outcomes for children

children's current interests. For example, in response to their interest in the new penguin enclosure at the local sea life centre providing ice cubes and shaving foam in the water to represent penguins' living conditions and encouraging the children to use their senses to explore and describe the texture.

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and outcomes for children

Children play an active role in their learning, are eager to attend and immediately become engrossed in activities that stimulate and interest them. They are enthusiastic about their learning and display high levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration. They form strong relationships with the childminder and each other and learn to appreciate and respect the views and feeling of others. For example, at Christmas visiting a retirement home to deliver gifts to the residents. All children engage in a wide range of activities and experiences which help them value diversity. The childminder has an exceptionally wide range of resources reflecting positive images of diversity such as books, puzzles and small world figures reflecting a range of cultures and people with different abilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are eager to help clean the table at snack time and prepare their own fruit. They learn to manage age-appropriate tasks such as cutting up their banana which the childminder uses as spontaneous learning opportunity to compare number and size. The childminder uses effective strategies to promote children's understanding of acceptable behaviour and to help them learn to share and take turns with popular resources. Children use a range of toys and equipment within the setting and know how to handle these safely. All children show a very good understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene and follow well- established routines and such as brushing their teeth after meals during which children childminder reminds them of the visit from the dental nurse to help them make connections in their learning. Children have excellent opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities and thus gain a secure understanding

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and outcomes for children

of the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. All children are becoming skilled in the use of information communication and technology and competently use examples of everyday technology to support their play and learning. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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