Dexter Emily

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY222601 Inspection date 03/12/2009 Inspector Donna Stevens

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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 2002. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and one in Bridgnorth. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She works with an assistant four days of the week. The family currently have some chickens on lone.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range, when working alone. When working with an assistant they may care for a maximum of ten children of whom no more than five may be in the early years age group. There are currently 12 children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to ten years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and accredited to receive government funding for three and four year olds.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's motivation, ambition and commitment to providing high quality care. Her ability to meet children's individual needs and to ensure that her provision is fully inclusive is exemplary. The childminder is proactive in developing good partnerships with parents, other settings and professionals involved in children's care ensuring highly effective continuity of care and learning, which enables children to make excellent progress. Systems to evaluate her practice are extremely effective and take into consideration the opinions of children, parents and carers when identifying areas for development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the links between children's observations and next steps for learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded, with high-quality, robust policies and procedures that are shared with parents. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children's welfare and attends training on a regular basis to ensure that her knowledge and understanding remains up-to-date and in line with local guidance. High-quality risk assessments and daily safety checks as well as ongoing monitoring during activities ensure that both the indoor and outdoor play areas are safe and risks to children are minimised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to her own self-development and that of her assistant. She is very well qualified and has many years experience of working with children but recognises that there is always something new to learn. She regularly attends local training events and workshops, with her assistant, to enable them to bring new ideas into the setting. The childminder is accredited to receive early years funding and is part of a local network of providers. She has undertaken additional training in order to meet specific medical and developmental needs of children. The childminder has previously completed a local authority quality assurance scheme and has recently signed up to a new one which was launched in the autumn. She will use this along with the Ofsted self-evaluation system to continue to evaluate, adapt and improve practice. Ongoing improvements are evident and a current project will provide children with a covered den area in the

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the early years provision

garden. This came about as a direct result of the childminder observing the children at play where they used their imaginations to make dens out of various materials and by consulting with them to see what they would like in the garden. This results in a service that is responsive to the needs of its users.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a strong emphasis on developing close working relationships with parents and carers. Daily record sheets provide parents with information about children's welfare and learning. These support regular discussions and newsletters providing information on current and forthcoming events. The walls of the hallway display a wealth of information for parents including policies and procedures, activity plans and general information about childcare and services within the area. Parents were informed of the impending inspection and invited to comment. The replies received were extremely positive and praised the welcoming atmosphere, the range of activities offered and the childminder's ability to meet individual needs. The childminder works extremely closely with other professionals involved in children's care, including portage workers, physiotherapists and community children's nurses who regularly visit the

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the early years provision

setting. She also forms links with other settings that children attend and although this is sometimes difficult due to travelling distances ensures that parents pass on any relevant information and shares anything that she may feel the other setting needs to know.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality of opportunity and children's individual needs are met to a high standard. All children and families are valued and the childminder is confident to openly discuss difference and diversity with the children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in her care. Her ability to include children of all ages and abilities in each activity in a calm and well-managed way gives each child a sense of belonging and feeling valued. She is particularly skilled at supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals and in all areas of their development because the childminder has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is skilled at using children's interests and events in their lives to spark projects that include a range of interesting and enjoyable activities that encourage children to learn new skills, use their imaginations, develop their creativity and increase their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. For example, when one child visited the dentist the others were keen to know what happened. The childminder developed his interest into a whole project on people who help us involving parents with community-based jobs by inviting them into the setting to talk about their roles as vets, police officers and dentists. High-quality role play equipment and resources then allowed children to act out these scenarios developing their vocabulary and

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and outcomes for children

social skills. They learnt about their own health with regards to dental hygiene and how to care for pets and other animals. Important lessons in personal safety were introduced as they discussed road safety and stranger danger with a police officer and fire safety following a visit to the local fire station. Photographs of these events are displayed on the play room walls to allow children to share their experiences with parents and to remember the fun and enjoyment they had.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and well settled and loving caring relationships with the childminder, her assistant and their peers are evident. Children are familiar with the well established daily routine which provides ample opportunity for free play and more structured activities. Within this the childminder skilfully incorporates children's individual routines such as sleeping and attending to medical needs. Her well organised, calm approach helps to instil children with a sense of care and concern for others and they are keen to support and comfort each other. When one child became upset during a routine procedure another was invited to come and talk and distract her and she did this eagerly and the situation immediately calmed. The childminder openly and honestly explained the procedure to the child answering her questions in a way she would understand and involving the child concerned so that the event became part of the established daily routine. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder ensures that both herself and her assistant provide clear and consistent boundaries, so that children develop a knowledge of acceptable behaviour and activities such as playing games where everyone is included allow children to begin to learn to share, take turns and consider the feelings of others. They are extremely well behaved, polite and well mannered.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They have an extensive range of resources and toys to play with and are able to use the whole of the downstairs to play and take part in activities. The walls in every room are decorated with the children's artwork, photographs of them at the childminder's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and photographs that they bring in from home of their families, pets and special events such as outings or holidays. This helps children to feel part of the setting and develop their confidence and security. Structured circle times provide opportunities for children to develop more formal skills of communication, numeracy and concentration. Stories and books are shared and children are involved in conversation both through words and the use of Makaton signing to allow every child to be included. Imaginative story sacks with colourful props

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and outcomes for children

provide opportunities for children to order numbers, understand that symbols represent a different number of objects and the basics of addition and subtraction as they sing counting rhymes. The childminder is skilled at extending her questioning and introducing more complex ideas and vocabulary to older and more able children. This ensures that all children achieve and reach their maximum potential. She also gives a high level of support to children with additional needs always ensuring that they are fully included in all activities. Observing the children at play and recording their achievements allows the childminder to track children's learning. She now plans to develop the system further to link children's progress into the next steps for learning and include them in future plans.

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and outcomes for children

Children have very good opportunities to learn about healthy eating and lifestyles. Following a reluctance to eat vegetables the childminder involved the children in planting, nurturing and harvesting their own. This proved a popular activity and children were keen to try the finished results. Children are able to choose from a variety of fruit at snack times and fresh drinking water is available at all times. Parents provide children's lunches in line with the childminder's healthy eating ethos. Colourful posters displaying healthy food on the wall in the kitchen and activities such as stories, role-play and singing provide further opportunities for the children to learn about healthy eating. They have opportunities to enjoy outdoor play on a daily basis and use a good range of garden equipment which improves their balance and dexterity. The children are currently enjoying helping to care for two chickens on loan from the assistant. They are involved in helping to give them

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and outcomes for children

their food and fresh water each day and understand good personal hygiene as they wash their hands after dealing with them.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of diversity and difference is enhanced as they see colourful posters and use toys and equipment that include positive images of race, culture, disability and gender. Above all each child is highly respected and valued as an individual whose needs, abilities and characteristics are celebrated. The childminder and her assistant operate an effective key person system ensuring, where possible, that the same person addresses children's personal needs such as nappy changing, administering medication, feeding and settling them for rest and sleep. This provides children with consistency, allowing them to feel comforted and secure during their time with the childminder. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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