Hartley, Lynne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY286251 Inspection date 13/10/2009 Inspector Lindsay Helen Dobson

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her partner and child aged 13 years in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The childminder uses a dedicated playroom, kitchen and living room for childminding on the ground floor of the home and the bathroom is situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The care of the children is usually shared with a co-childminder. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time when working alone and six children in the early years age range when working with the co-childminder. There are currently ten children on roll, of which six are in the early years age range. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two dogs, two guinea pigs, two rats and 12 mice.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of the children in her care and responds to them in a warm and genuine manner so that they feel secure and valued. Planning and observation processes are developing and children make steady progress in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder shares information with parents in order to meet children's individual care, learning and development needs. Records, policies and procedures are generally implemented and maintained appropriately, however, risk assessments lack detail and clarity and emergency evacuation from the home is not practised with the children. The childminder is aware of some of the setting's strengths and priorities for improvement and has verbally started to reflect on her practice with her co- childminder.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the record or risk assessment so that it clearly includes information on identified hazards, who conducted it, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 27/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 raise the children's awareness of what procedure to follow in the event of an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 emergency evacuation  continue to develop the systems of observation, assessment and planning to consistently track and further promote children's learning

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is suitably promoted because the childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. This is supported by a written procedure and recent attendance on a child protection course, which enables her to identify any child at risk and take appropriate action. The childminder carries out visual risk assessments of outings and all areas of the home and has basic supporting documents, thus minimising hazards and promoting some areas of children's safety. However, the current risk assessment record is not sufficiently robust to ensure children's safety is fully promoted, and it does not meet with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is a breach of regulations. Discussions and ongoing explanations from the childminder mean that children are building up their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they practise road safety and discuss issues such as stranger

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the early years provision

danger when on outings. In the home the children are encouraged to tidy up the toys and play carefully, however, the childminder does not practise emergency evacuation drills with children to develop their awareness of the procedures to follow.

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the early years provision

The childminder aims to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She works with parents to ensure that she understands each child's background and care needs. Children's self-esteem and sense of belonging are promoted as they are encouraged to choose what toys they would like to play with. The childminder maintains sound relationships with parents and carers, enabling them to exchange information about the children and thereby ensure that she can offer children appropriate support. The childminder advises that parents are given information about their children's activities and progress, for example, through the use of daily diaries and the sharing of children's assessment records. Only blank copies of these documents are available as evidence for inspection. The childminder has an awareness of the need to maintain close links with other professionals involved with the children. For example, when children are reaching

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the early years provision

school age she helps them prepare for this transition, through visits to the setting and discussion.

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the early years provision

The childminder is positive about the self-evaluation process. She is able to identify her strengths and some areas for improvement. Working with her co-childminder she has identified further training as a positive way to develop her service and promote the outcomes for children. For example, the childminder has planned to attend a sign language course. The childminder has met most of the recommendations raised at the last inspection and is now able to care for children appropriately in the event of an accident, as she attended a paediatric first aid course and the front door now remains locked when the children are present to ensure they are safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supervised in a clean, well-kept designated playroom where they are secure and can play with safe, appropriate materials and equipment. They are happy to explore their surroundings independently and are provided with some opportunities to take risks and develop their confidence, such as using furniture to support their developing ability to stand. Observation and assessment processes are developing, children's achievements are recorded in individual books for parents and a section is available for them to make their comments. However, systems to complete regular observations and assessments and link these into future planning are not sufficiently robust to ensure children's learning is consistently tracked and fully promoted.

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and outcomes for children

A suitable range of self-selection opportunities are available for children, including construction bricks, balls, books, musical instruments, role play and small world resources. The childminder provides some exploratory play opportunities using paint and mark making resources and children's art work is displayed on the play room walls. Young children are able to develop their skills in most areas, for example, they develop their imaginations as they make cups of tea for the childminder in the role play kitchen. They are beginning to learn about the world around them, as they watch a caterpillar form a chrysalis and turn into a butterfly and begin to gain an awareness of culture and diversity through available resources and celebrating festivals. Children's individual DVD's are used to collate photographs of their time with the childminder and these are shared with parents to keep them informed about the activities and experiences children engage in

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and outcomes for children

Children respond positively to the childminder, displaying clear and appropriate attachments. They are observed to be settled and beginning to make choices about what they want to play with. The childminder works with children at floor level and children enjoy rolling balls to her and wait excitedly for her to roll them back. The childminder enthusiastically encourages and praises young children's achievements, their behaviour is consistently managed with the co-childminder in a manner appropriate for their stage of development and the childminder routinely reinforces boundaries. The childminder is attentive, showing genuine interest and creating consistent positive interactions which enable children to feel secure. Young children chatter to their friends and the childminder, responding well to adults that are interested in what they say and do.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is responsive to children's individual care needs, offering closeness and cuddles to them as they feed young children their bottles and change their nappies using hygienic routines which include the use of disposable gloves and antibacterial spray. The childminder also meets the children's individual needs by providing flexible arrangements in relation to sleep and mealtimes. She provides home cooked meals for the children; these are varied, nutritious and include fresh vegetables. Children have suitable opportunities to play outside and enjoy the fresh air as they visit the local park and playing field, where they develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 physical skills through a range of age appropriate activities, including ball games and races. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 27/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 27/10/2009

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