Lowther Madeline

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY277874 Inspection date 07/10/2009 Inspector Christine Ann London

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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 2003. She lives with her husband, and their two children, in a village to the East of Norwich, Norfolk. The whole of the ground floor and one first floor bedroom is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of these no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog and a budgie as pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder works extremely well with parents to ensure children are settled in her care; she understands and promotes each child’s individual needs and this helps them to feel secure. The required documentation to promote children’s welfare is generally in place. The childminder provides a stimulating range of activities to help children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement within her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the current system to record regular emergency evacuation drills, with particular reference to include details of any problems encountered and how they are resolved.  review the current safeguarding children policy, in particular reference to the procedure to be followed if an allegation of abuse is made about the childminder or a member of the household

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted well through familiar routines which ensure that they are kept safe and secure. She is aware of the Ofsted vetting system that needs to be completed for any adult living or working in the household. A clear set This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of policies and procedures have been developed to help the childminder carry out her work effectively, support the care of the children and inform parents about the service. The parents are informed about the childminder's safeguarding responsibilities as detailed in her child protection policy. However, these do not clearly identify the procedure she will follow if an allegation of abuse is made in regard to a member of the household. Details held within the childminder's complaint procedures also guide parents about what to do if they have concerns about the children's care. The childminder knows the children she cares for

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the early years provision

exceptionally well and organises her day to meet their individual needs. The wide range of activities both inside and outdoors help children to make good progress in their learning and promotes their welfare. Risk assessments are conducted to ensure that children are safe. As a result, parents are reassured that all risks have been minimised. Regular fire drills are held and a record is kept. However, the record does not include problems encountered and how they are resolved to further safeguard children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's self-evaluation systems help her to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision, enabling her to make continuous improvements. Changes have been made since the last inspection to develop her knowledge and understanding by attending workshops and training courses. The childminder undertakes regular training to ensure her skills are up-to-date, such as safeguarding children and first aid, to continue to maintain and promote a quality service for the children and families who attend.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the extremely positive working relationships the childminder has with their parents to ensure continuity of care. The childminder is proactive in gathering details from parents about the children before they start to attend to ensure their individual needs are met. These are used in planning to promote the children’s immediate learning. Parents receive regular information about their children's activities through photographs and daily feedback. Parents are beginning to be involved in making contributions in the children's assessments, which are shared regularly. Parents comment very positively about the exciting activities and play opportunities their children experience and that their wishes are respected by the childminder. The childminder has built partnerships with the local school and pre-school to provide continuity of care for the children and their parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands children's individual abilities and interests; children enjoy their activities with the childminder and they take part in range of exciting play opportunities that help them to learn and develop. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is aware of children's individual developmental needs. She makes regular observations of children in their play and records them in their assessment records. These are supported by the use of photographs which bring the observations alive. The childminder uses the information gained from observations to plan activities which build on children's interests. Parents are involved and contribute to their child’s records to help build on what children know and identify the next steps in their learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are developing independence skills as they care for their personal needs.

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and outcomes for children

They help themselves to toys and they are encouraged to learn about sharing and taking turns. Children gain awareness of the wider community as they visit local amenities. For example, recently children made lanterns and sweets to celebrate the cultural festival of Diwalli. The childminder provides a relaxed environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care. Children chat readily with the childminder who responds to their talk; she repeats key words to promote their language development. They enjoy opportunities to develop early writing skills, for example, children readily make marks to represent their ideas. The childminder develops children’s learning by introducing mathematical concepts, such as counting and colour recognition in their play. Children learn problem solving skills as they work out how to make cakes and sweets from raw ingredients. These simple activities support the

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and outcomes for children

Suitable procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication; the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed an appropriate first aid qualification. The childminder is very aware of her responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and she provides a suitably safe home for children to play in. Children enjoy opportunities for plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk regularly to local amenities. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. The childminder gathers clear information from parents about children’s dietary requirements and this ensures children can eat safely. Daily diaries are completed for some parents to ensure they are well informed of their children's activities and daily routines. 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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