Metcalf, Beverley Jane

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 EY289080 Inspection date 19/08/2009 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and child aged 11 years. They live in the residential area of South Hylton in Sunderland. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years. There are currently six children on roll aged from nine months to five years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 07.30 to 18.30 for 48 weeks of the year. She has completed a relevant training course and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She takes and collects children from the local schools and nursery and attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has a pet dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. A welcoming and inclusive environment is provided to children and their families. The childminder works very well with parents and forges suitable links with other professionals in order to ensure that children's individual needs are very well met. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The required documentation is in place and is very well maintained. Procedures to evaluate the quality of the service, care and education provided are good, and areas for further development are identified very well and are tasked accordingly to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the methods used to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment preserves confidentiality  continue to develop methods to systematically record details of children's individual developmental progress and to identify consistently the next step in each child's learning, to support their progress.

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provision

The required documentation is in place and is very well presented and maintained. However, the method of recording consent obtained from parents to seek emergency medical treatment does not preserve confidentiality. Risk assessment procedures and records are good. The childminder is vigilant regarding safety. Resources and equipment are very clean and in very good order. Security is very well maintained and appropriate safety equipment is provided. Regular fire drills are completed and recorded. Children are very closely supervised. The childminder uses a mental evaluation process very well to review her practice and identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas for development. This helps support the continued development of the service provided. Written policies and procedures, some of which are quite comprehensive are shared with parents. The childminder's understanding of these

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provision

is very good and they are used effectively to support her practice. For example, she understands clearly the action to be taken regarding a lost or uncollected child, the management of an accident and the administration of medication. A suitable complaints policy is in place and the childminder has a good awareness of the procedure. Her understanding of the procedure to safeguard children from harm is very good and she is fully aware of her responsibilities in this area. As part of the induction process parents are closely consulted about their wishes and the needs and abilities of their children. This allows the childminder to establish a firm understanding of each child's starting points. She works effectively with parents to gradually introduce children into her care through a series of visits to her home. This allows all parties to become familiar with each other and children settle very well. The childminder records information about children's individual interests and

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provision

capabilities, which is acquired through her observations. However, the identified next step to be taken to support each child's learning is not consistently recorded. She sets specific learning goals for children and plans activities and provides resources to help children achieve.

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provision

Parents are kept very well informed of their child's progress and events of the day. This is done through regular verbal feedback, daily diaries, telephone calls and text messages. Parents have access to their child's records and are encouraged to add comments to the daily diary about their child's development and other pertinent information. Parents are kept very well up-to-date about any particular interests or preferred activities their children may have. This allows them to mirror such activities at home with their children and support their learning. The childminder establishes suitable links with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). For example, where applicable information is shared with teaching staff to support children's continuity of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder’s understanding of the EYFS is good and she has completed relevant training. Children benefit from a very good balance of adult-led activities and free-play each day. For example, the childminder initiates activities, such as story telling, outings and special creative activities. One child said that they particularly enjoyed baking, especially muffins. Childminding areas are used very well to provide children with easy access to a very good range of activities and resources. Opportunities for children to make choices and decisions about their play are good. The child-friendly storage systems enable them to self-select resources with ease and confidence. This helps nurture their decision making and independence skills. Effective use is made of questions, discussions and every day tasks to promote and reinforce children’s learning. For instance, children are actively encouraged to describe what they are doing and to recall past events. This

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

helps promote children's language skills and extends their vocabulary. They are confident speakers and initiate conversation readily and talk to the childminder freely and in a comfortable manner. The childminder recognises and praises children's achievements and efforts. For instance, when playing a matching game, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's ability to remember the position of and select a pair of matching cards correctly was readily celebrated. This helps nurture children's confidence and positive self-esteem. The childminder understands the benefit of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. She recognises the benefits children gain from regular exercise and play outdoors. Wherever possible she walks with the children instead of using transport. Children are frequent visitors to green areas, parks and children's play areas. They have daily access to the garden and a very good range of resources to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

allow them to practise and test their physical skills in a supportive environment. This helps promote and enhance their physical development and welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Hygiene standards are high and children's health is very well promoted. Children are actively encouraged to adopt good personal hygiene practices. Regular routines and positive role modelling by the childminder help to reinforce such practice. Healthy eating is very well promoted. Children's dietary needs are discussed in detail with parents and relevant information recorded. Meals and snacks are varied and nutritious. Children show an emerging understanding of healthy foods. They have planted and tended tomatoes, which they then picked and ate. Children have access to fresh drinking water and other suitable drinks. The childminder manages children's behaviour effectively through the consistent use of age appropriate strategies. Children respond positively and their behaviour is very good. The childminder helps raise children's awareness of safety by practising fire drills and road safety. She gives simple explanations and gentle

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

reminders of the rules. For example, the need to stay close to her during outings and not to approach strangers. This helps keep children safe. The childminder shows a suitable understanding of how to support children with additional needs. She has completed relevant training and has some past experience in this area. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is very well promoted. The childminder uses discussion, simple explanations and a good selection of resources and activities to help promote and extend children's understanding of such matters very well. 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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