Longstaff, Alyson

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 313739 Inspection date 10/09/2009 Inspector Karen Marie Tervit

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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

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 has been registered since 1994. She lives in Spennymoor. Her home is close to local amenities, including schools, park and shops. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. A rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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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, no more than three of which may be in the early years range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. Children attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early years register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are warmly welcomed into a safe and stimulating environment. They are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and knows the children and their families well. Partnerships with parents are good and the childminder is beginning to develop these further. Detailed observations are mostly used well to inform her practice. The childminder regularly evaluates her practice and is committed to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems in place to encourage parents to contribute to their children's learning and development records  continue to develop systems for planning activities and observing children in order to more clearly show progress.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected. The childminder has recently completed a level 2 qualification in safeguarding. She demonstrates a good understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as procedures to be followed in the event of any concerns. Children are further protected by a wealth of written policies which are effectively implemented and shared with parents. Their welfare is assured as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. The childminder is vigilant about safety issues and conducts visual risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments both in and out of the home. Detailed written records of these are kept.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to improve the quality of the service she offers. She evaluates the care and education she provides well. She is in the process of completing an Equality and Diversity course and has volunteered to help out one day a week at the nursery the children she cares for attend, so as to further develop her knowledge. She uses childcare publications and the internet to enhance her practise. The recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been positively addressed. This has resulted in parents having easy access to the regulator's contact details and the recording of the fire evacuation drills being developed.

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the early years provision

Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. This includes adapting activities so all children can participate. The childminder has a good relationship with parents and keeps them informed of the activities their children have enjoyed. The childminder is beginning to look at different ways in which she can involve parents in children’s learning and receive feedback from them. However, this is in the very early stages of development. She is keen to liaise with other professionals to ensure any specific requirements are met.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and relate well to the childminder, as she joins in with their play. A good balance of child-initiated and adult-led play experiences ensures suitable challenge for their age and stage of development. Children develop a sensitive awareness of diversity and an understanding of the needs of others. This is achieved through a variety of resources which promote a positive attitude of the wider world, and carefully selected television programmes. Children clearly enjoy making brightly coloured pieces of material into saris or exploring musical instruments from different countries such as Chile. They thoroughly enjoy being creative with play dough, marbling colours as they paint or making gluing and sticking pictures. They have good opportunities to learn about living things as the childminder follows their interest in spiders, making good use of any incidental opportunity that occurs. Regular opportunities are provided for children to explore

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and outcomes for children

shapes, sort and match objects through fun activities. A good range of books are available and even very young children are able to recall favourite stories with gentle prompting from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder deploys resources so children can freely choose what they would like to play with. These are either attractively displayed on the floor or in clear labelled boxes. The childminder plans her day flexibly to take into account nursery drop off and pick up times and attendance at the local crèche, where young children receive opportunities to develop their social skills. Individual files for each of the children have been developed. These include photographs and detailed written observations. These are linked to the areas of learning with the next steps in children's learning also being highlighted. However it is not always clear when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 these next steps have been incorporated into future planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt good personal health and hygiene practices. They follow the good role model of the childminder who keeps her home clean and well maintained. Children do not attend if they are sick which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. Children's knowledge about personal safety is encouraged by gentle reminders from the childminder to be careful as they climb in and out of boxes or develop their cutting skills using scissors. Regular fire drill practices and reinforcement of basic road safety further contribute to children developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. They take part in a good range of outdoor activities either in the well resourced garden or at local parks. Children are able to rest and sleep according to home routines. Parents provide the meals for their children. Children are developing their knowledge of healthy foods, through a variety of planned activities and discussions.

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and outcomes for children

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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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