Powell, Nicola Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY318927 Inspection date 16/12/2009 Inspector Teresa Marie Taylor

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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 2006. She lives with her children in the village of Hampton Magna in Warwickshire. The lounge and bathroom on the first floor of the childminder’s home are used for childminding. There is a step up to the front door. A fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of eight children, of whom six may be in the early years age group when working with another childminder and six children, of whom three may be in the early years age group when working alone. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for nine children of whom five are in the early years age group. One child attends full time and all other children attend on a part time basis. Children can be taken to and collected from local schools and pre-school groups. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an early years qualification at Level three.

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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

Children are settled and show through their behaviour that they feel safe and supported by the childminder. Children are provided with a range of play activities both with the childminder and at a variety of group settings. The childminder has an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and encourages parents to be involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning. Observations, assessments and self-evaluation systems are in the developmental stage with the childminder beginning to identify plans for the future to enhance children's learning and development opportunities. Children’s uniqueness and individuality is recognised and managed appropriately. Policies and procedures are not up-to-date and do not provide the required information for parents. Suitable partnerships with parents and other settings ensure information relating to individual children’s progress and needs is shared consistently.

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further?

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

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further?

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint including Ofsted's contact details (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 31/12/2009

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding 31/12/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and promoting children's welfare)  ensure the safeguarding procedures contain accurate information. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 31/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 promote equality of opportunity by providing positive images and activities to challenge children's thinking and help them develop respect for equality and for differences in culture, disabilty, ethnicity, gender, learning difficulties and religion  ensure an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an understanding of safeguarding and does have local contact details, however, her policy relates to a different area to that in which she lives and, therefore, inaccurate information is provided to parents. Required policies and documentation for the effective and safe running of the setting are incomplete. Consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is not in place for all children which poses a possible risk to children and the childminder does not have a complaints policy or procedure in place but does have a complaints record freely available to parents. The childminder promotes equal opportunities and inclusion but has few resources to enable the children to independently learn about the wider world. The indoor and outdoor environments are subjected to risk assessments to ensure any potential hazards to children are minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to assess her provision and identify areas of improvement for the future. She intends to undertake additional training courses in order to develop and improve the opportunities and outcomes for children. The childminder does ask both parents and children for their opinions of her practice and the activities offered and has positive feedback from them. Children are encouraged to choose their own activities with the childminder ensuring suitable resources are always available to support their choices. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and has begun to address the recommendations from her last inspection. She has started completing individual development folders in order to identify children's learning and/or development needs and has ensured that the lounge is a safe environment for the children to play in. Communication both with parents and other settings the children attend

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the early years provision

are appropriate. Parents have access to daily diaries if they would like them, daily discussions and children's individual development folders, ensuring they are aware of all aspects of their child's day. They are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their child's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the uniqueness and individuality of each child. She provides age appropriate activities and a range of resources to ensure all children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 can participate in all play opportunities regardless of gender, background, ability or disability. All children and families are valued and respected and their comments acknowledged and welcomed.

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and outcomes for children

Children make progress as they enjoy a range of activities. They are settled and are given appropriate support that ensures that they learn and develop as individuals. The childminder does little planning and prefers children to choose their own activities during which she encourages them to extend their play through suitable discussion and questioning. The childminder attends pre-school groups most mornings which provides the children with an additional range of play activities and social development opportunities. Clear information is gained about children’s starting points and developing observations and assessments of children’s progress ensure all aspects of children’s needs are identified.

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and outcomes for children

Children are usually confident when exploring the environment both indoors and outside. They play an active role in their own learning, make choices, decisions and providing ideas for future activities. A range of experiences and discussions help them to understand the wider world as they talk about the natural environment, the changing seasons and discuss other cultures, abilities and disabilities and celebrate festivals. However, there are few resources to support children's independent learning. They are given clear rules about how to treat each other which ensures they develop self-esteem, understand each other's limitations and know how to behave. They freely express their feelings and receive appropriate support from the childminder when upset or tired. Children play both independently and together, with older children including younger children in their play and this helps them to develop skills for their future. They make progress in

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and outcomes for children

their communication, language, problem solving and number skills as they enjoy a range of discussions and activities. For example, children go shopping for fruit. They discuss the colour, size and shape of the fruit, work out how many pieces they need, place them in a bag and weigh them. They also go to the post office, purchase stamps and post letters so they are learning how things work and what you buy and from where. Children are encouraged to access books and the childminder reads stories, sing songs and repeats favourite nursery rhymes with the youngest children on a daily basis. Children are developing early technology skills as they use a laptop and early years computer and have a range of resources including phones, a camera and play kitchen with a microwave.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a strong sense of belonging in the security of the childminder’s care. They show they feel safe and are confident in turning to the childminder for reassurance and cuddles when strangers arrive. They learn to keep themselves safe through regular discussions about acceptable behaviour, being considerate to each other and when out of the house they learn about road safety rules, not to approach strangers or stray animals. The childminder makes sure, through appropriate risk assessments, that the places they visit are safe and appropriate environments for the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children show they understand about a healthy lifestyle as they make informed choices about what they eat and drink and know that physical exercise is good for them. The childminder extends their understanding by discussing the foods they have purchased, how healthy food makes them grow and develop and by

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and outcomes for children

encouraging children to make healthy sandwiches for tea. Children’s good health is promoted as they make the most of the fresh air and outdoor play available to them. They understand, through discussion, how their body changes when they exercise and the need to remain hydrated especially after exercise and during hot weather. 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 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 (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 31/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 31/12/2009

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