Cade, Jill Ruth

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 EY343367 Inspection date 03/08/2009 Inspector Christine Tipple

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and eight years in a village near Malton, close to the local school and pre-school. The ground floor of the childminder's home and the bathroom and designated bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a rear enclosed garden for outside play. She uses her car on occasion for childminding purposes. The childminder has chickens as family pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time, of whom two may be in he early years age range. The childminder is currently minding four children, of whom two are in the early years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a childcare qualification at level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children and parents are made very welcome by the childminder who provides a well managed and resourced environment for the children. This approach ensures children have a variety of well balanced activities and experiences which promote their individual care, learning and developmental needs very effectively. The childminder overall has taken positive steps to evaluate her practice and this includes the review of her documentation shared with parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop children's individual assessments and observations to ensure all areas of learning are consistently promoted  develop processes in relation to self-evaluation which identify more clearly areas to develop and build on which continue to improve outcomes for every child.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of children's learning and development and continues to assess her training needs for the future. The childminder is very well organised in relation to the documentation and information provided for parents. The detailed up-to-date policies, procedures and risk assessments provide a clear understanding by the childminder of the importance of children's safety and welfare. The evaluation process is in the early stages and the childminder has taken positive steps to review her practice, including how she observes and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 records children's individual learning and progress. However, the processes of self- evaluation do not yet identify more clearly areas to develop which continue to improve outcomes for the children. The childminder has good range of information on the importance of safeguarding children in her care, which is fully shared with

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provision

parents. The childminder has made positive links in the community which include the school, the health visitor and the local authority.

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provision

The childminder works in a positive way to ensure parents are informed on a daily basis about their child. This is through verbal discussions and through other forms of information, including policies and procedures. The parents' 'Welcome' information pack includes a good outline of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how this links into children's learning through their play and activities. Parents complete a leaflet prior to their children starting which provides the childminder with the individual routines and interests of each child, which she takes as starting points on which to develop and support their settling in. The children's individual learning files are shared with the parents and a comments log is included for their contribution, which is very positive about what their children receive in both the level of care and learning taking place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are very happy and settled with the childminder. The excellent use of both the inside and outside provides them with a varied and interesting learning environment. The resources are well presented which enable children to experience all areas of learning which fully support their individual needs and interests effectively. The outside area offers children of all ages access to a wide selection of both large and small equipment. The mat set out on the grass enables the babies and toddlers to easily access the role play resources and other tactile materials provided. They dig happily in the garden and enjoy filling and emptying the plant pots with the soil. The older children have grown pumpkins of various sizes, which they are very proud of. The purpose-built physical play area has larger, more challenging, wooden equipment which extends children's physical skills very effectively. Being outside is well promoted to engage the children in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

nature, to see the chickens roaming freely, to catch butterflies in the net and to examine and then release them. The childminder's positive approach to the children being physically active and being outside is a key strength. Daily walks with all the children, seeing the farm animals in the fields and experiencing more directly the changing seasons, provide all the children with rich and stimulating experiences.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy painting, as do the babies and toddlers, who have opportunities to mark make through the good use of different mediums and tools in all aspects of their play. All children have access to sand and water and to participate in music, movement and singing, which are all part of promoting children's creativity. They enjoy the good range of small world and role play resources from which all children can self-select and develop for themselves. There is a very good selection of books for the children and these are well used by them through independent access and story times together. Children have outings which extend from their own community, such as the sea life centre, library and the beach. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is proactive in the children being part of their community as well as developing an insight into the wider world. Children sing various action songs

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

which promote numbers and counting. They have jigsaws and sequencing activities which link to introducing numbers and early problem solving activities. For example, an older child working out how many biscuits are on the plate and then sharing these out equally. The childminder has individual learning files for the children which provide details of their learning and development through their play, which link overall to the areas of learning and identify areas to future progress. However, this area is not fully developed to ensure all areas of learning are promoted consistently in the observations carried out.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and personal care are managed to high standards. These include ensuring cross infection is minimised through parents being informed of the procedures to follow when their children are ill. Meals and snacks are provided by the childminder who prepares home cooked foods which take account of the sugar, fat, salt and preservative content. The range of foods for the children fully promotes variety and healthy eating, with fish and meat, fruit and vegetables regularly offered. The children's behaviour is managed very well as they are actively engaged and motivated. The childminder is sensitive to each child's needs and of how to support them, which enables them to feel self-assured and secure. Children have the freedom to move from inside to outside, due the childminder's positive approach to safety issues. Children are actively involved in keeping safe through their activities and outings; these include participating in the fire

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

evacuation procedure and practising road safety. 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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