Keay, David Alan

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 EY340955 Inspection date 27/07/2009 Inspector Angela Howard

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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. He lives with his partner and adult children. They live in Sutton-in-Ashfield, in Mansfield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The premises are accessible for people with limited mobility. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years. He also offers care to four children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with his partner who is also registered as a childminder 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 outstanding. An excellent range of rich and stimulating opportunities for children to explore and investigate enables them to expand their knowledge and make exceedingly good progress in their learning. The childminder it strongly committed to inclusion and all children are able to fully participate because of the highly skilled way in which activities are adapted to meet their individual needs and learning styles. Significantly enhanced partnerships with parents support children's care and learning and help them to develop a strong sense of belonging and being valued. The childminder has a rolling programme of high quality development initiatives and uses self-evaluation well as one of the tools to bring about improvement successfully.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of information collated from parents and children to develop collaborative working as part of the process of ongoing self- evaluation.

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provision

The childminder keeps an extensive and excellent standard of records of the children in his care. All significant information is clearly and expertly recorded including detailed information on the individual needs of children and their development. The meticulous way in which he monitors children's welfare, development and learning enables him to plan and make first class decisions for children's next steps. Well documented policies and procedures, which are shared This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with parents and continually reviewed, provide a clear sense of direction and significantly enhance the care and learning of children. Meticulous risk assessment are in place, which are expertly implemented ensuring children are safe and secure at all times. The childminder demonstrates a high level of understanding about the arrangements to safeguard children. He is vigilant and has ensured his practice is

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provision

underpinned with up-to-date knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the correct procedures to follow.

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provision

The childminder works extremely hard to involve parents and make them feel valued and welcome. He is creative in finding ways in which to keep parents updated regularly about their child's achievements and development. For example, he talks to parents daily, provides daily written care and learning records and shares observation records, which he encourages parents to use to record and share their own views or observations. A parents noticeboard and newsletters keep them informed of any special events or outings and photographs displayed give them an excellent insight into the types of activities their children enjoy and reassures parents about their children's welfare and progress.

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provision

The childminder is very proactive in using the Early Years guidance to improve his practice. He is well prepared and forward thinking in preparation for the changes and has very successfully introduced changes to ensure excellent outcomes for children. He actively encourages parents and children to make their views known via questionnaires. However, he has not yet established how this information will be used to inform plans for improvement. The childminder plans his day extremely well, tailoring the arrangements to meet each child's welfare and learning needs, ensuring that a rich, varied and imaginative range of opportunities are offered daily. He works alongside another childminder and the partnership is dynamic. They work cohesively and have high aspirations and are highly enthusiastic about children's achievements. Key areas of responsibility are shared and excellent child ratios enable sustained interaction that help children to flourish.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises the day to focus on the individual needs of each child. He promotes an ethos where children are warmly welcomed and where they are valued as unique. He listens to children and responds to children sensitively. They delight in the extremely warm, caring and firm friendship they have established with him. Children are very eager to participate and access a very wide varied, rich and exciting range of experiences which enrich their overall development. They love to dance and sing to popular music, watching the dancers moving on the television and copying the moves skilfully and with rhythm. They show each other how to do certain moves and relish in the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder. Children thoroughly enjoy jumping in puddles, building snowmen, making footprints in snow and ice. They show excellent coordination as they pedal, jump, run, skip, climb and hop with gusto. Children spend a great deal

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of time outdoors investigating the natural world jumping in puddles, walking in the rain, planting and caring for plants. They are tending to a vast amount of plants, including runner beans, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, carrots and a grapevine. They have planted sunflower seeds and are having a competition to see This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which grows the tallest. They have measuring charts to record their findings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Highly consistent positive interaction enables children to feel safe to help them thrive and make rapid progress in their learning. They constantly chatter talking about what they are doing and are beginning to use their imagination exceedingly well. They use language very well to recreate roles and experiences and are becoming skilful communicators in the knowledge that they are with people who they know and can trust. After they have made a car out of a large cardboard box, they decide to make it comfy with a cushion, and say they need music playing as they drive and draw a radio on the dashboard. They decide to go to the seaside and solve the problem of there not being enough room by pretending a trailer is on the back of the car. They fold down the buggy and place it behind the box. Young children are very confident to initiate conversations, recalling events about visits and washing the car with clarity and excitement. They interact exceedingly

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

well for children so young, negotiating plans, for example, 'let's go this way', 'let me show you how to dance like this'. The environment is exceedingly rich in signs, symbols, notices, numbers, words and books to support children in developing confidence and a superb disposition to become competent in communicating. They love the repetition and sing the same song over and over again building up their memory and confidence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

An excellent range of healthy and nutritious food is offered. Meals are freshly prepared using some vegetables children have helped to plant and care for. Children help with the preparation of meals and understand why some food is healthy and others are not. They share excitedly that they now eat peas and place stickers on their five-a-day chart proudly. Children talk about safe practice as they play, telling the childminder not to walk in front of the car and that they need to fasten seat belts before they set off. They recall with clarity the action required for evacuation of the premises and know what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe when out walking. High ratios are maintained on outings and children wear high visibility vests and wrist bands with the childminder's contact number clearly recorded. Therefore, the childminder is very proactive in encouraging children to learn about being safe and what is dangerous.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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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