Townroe Rachel

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 252686 Inspection date 30/09/2009 Inspector Yvonne Layton

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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 2000 and lives with her partner and their two children aged five and seven. They live close to Mansfield town centre, Nottinghamshire. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden available. There are steps to the front door and a small step to access the rear of the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Currently there are three children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder takes children to and from the local school. She holds an appropriate early years qualification. The family have two rabbits.

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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 cared for in a warm, inclusive environment where the childminder is fully aware of their interests and capabilities. She provides a good range of resources and activities that interest them and meet their individual needs. The childminder has a secure knowledge of how to support the children's learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage(EYFS). She fosters close working relationships with parents, helping to fully support children's development and learning. The childminder is developing liaison with other settings and she reflects on her practice, showing good capacity to improve.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child is obtained and include Ofsted's address and current telephone number within the complaints procedure (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.) 07/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 review policies and procedures required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of the children, by making sure accident records are fully confidentially  develop further a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion in order to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively protected as there are clear safeguarding procedures and the childminder has secure understanding of her responsibility. Their welfare is supported as most records, policies and procedures are in place. However, the childminder has not obtained information about who has legal contact with the children and who has parental responsibility. This is a breech of requirements. In addition, the complaints procedure does not include the Ofsted's address or the correct telephone number. The system currently used to record accidents is not sufficiently confidential. Children's safety is ensured as she maintains clear risk assessments and safety equipment is in place, including double smoke alarms. The home is secure and the childminder has efficient security measures. For example, the garden is fully enclosed and there are robust procedures for the collection of children. Children's health and welfare is supported well as the childminder has

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the early years provision

established consistent hygiene procedures. Established use of individual towels and anti bacterial sprays and gels maintain children's health. Resources are plentiful, including an allocated playroom, and the home is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is successfully promoted as the childminder is conversant in implementing all aspects of the learning and development elements of the EYFS. She ensures she visits all areas of learning and individual progress is monitored by using assessments and observations of the children. She completes individual written observations which identify the children's progress and their next steps, all of which are used to inform planning. The childminder has completed the required and additional training, and improvements since the last inspection have had a positive impact on the quality of the early years provision. The childminder has made a good start on her self-evaluation and is beginning to identify areas for development. She demonstrates her commitment to improving outcomes for children by reflecting on her practice to drive improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops good relationships with the parents that benefit the children. To ensure continuity of care she uses informal feedback as well as, for young children, their own daily diary and all children have individual 'Learning Journey' files. The childminder also provides various portfolios relating to her provision, including policies and procedures. The childminder and parents discuss personal information and starting points for each child.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is carefully promoted. The childminder makes sure all children are included and valued. For example, babies enjoy creative activities such as painting. Pictorial information enables the children to be fully involved. For example, the house rules and a hand washing routine are presented in pictures and text. A variety of home-made resources welcome children and promote inclusion including an 'All kids are exceptional' poster and jigsaws depicting different families, places and people. The childminder is fully confident in her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge of how to develop children's understanding of diversity so that all differences are valued fully.

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and outcomes for children

The children are confident and relaxed with the childminder who is warm and affectionate. Her attention is focused on the children's enjoyment. She organises the environment well, offering them comprehensively planned activities and allowing them to choose freely from a good range of toys and resources. She supports early language development by talking to the children about what they are doing and by using phonics. For example, during a computer game, the childminder encourages children to sound letters and name animals. She encourages them to count and calculate by asking questions such as 'how many animals are on the train?' and 'how far and where does the train have to go?' Children learn about nature as they enjoy an 'Insect' theme. Activities include looking at insects in the garden and in books. They discuss where they are from and which ones the children like or dislike. Craft projects such as making pipe-

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and outcomes for children

cleaner spiders enhance the experience. Children learn about caring for animals by tending and interacting with the family rabbits. Through this they learn about hygiene and safety with animals. Children's physical skills are promoted in the home and outside. For example, visits to various children’s amenities and parks help to develop children's physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy listening to stories and have access to a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. Their understanding of the wider world is promoted well through books, activities and discussion. They visit the local area and enjoy cultural celebrations which are extended by craft activities. For example, children talk about and make their own Diya light for Diwali. A trip to the seaside results in a variety of activities including shell collecting, which children then use in creative activities. Alongside planned creative activities, including potato printing and salad- spinner painting, children have many opportunities to express their own creativity through free choice art and craft. The childminder supports exploration of colour, letter, calculation and mark making through a range of spontaneous, routine, child- led, planned and focused activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and has a positive approach to behaviour management. Continual praise and involvement in devising the house rules ensure children feel good about themselves and their achievements. This helps children develop a positive attitude to learning. The childminder especially encourages positive relationships and this is evident as children eagerly talk about friends in photographs who are not present.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted and they are well used to responding to the childminder's effective hygiene routines. Discussions with the children about personal care encourage them to confidently go and wash their hands after eating, outings and activities. They learn about danger and respond well to the childminder's rigid road safety routines. Children are secure in an emergency as there are established fire evacuation procedures, of which children convincingly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 explain what they need to do and who to contact. Their knowledge is superbly reinforced by a visit to the local fire station. 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 3 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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