Swales, Kathryn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY273495 Inspection date 12/10/2009 Inspector Sheila Harrison

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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 three children aged 10, eight and three years, in a four bedroom house in Chipperfield, Hertfordshire. All areas of the property are included in the registration and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Access to the premises is from a paved drive, via a small step into a porch. The childminder walks to the local schools to drop off and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the library and nearby park. The family have a dog

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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, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in the early years age range with varying attendance patterns. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is able to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities The childminder works term time only.

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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 provides a positive atmosphere with a welcoming environment overall. Children are happy, settled and making good progress in their learning and development. There are strong relationships with parents who are clearly informed about their child’s welfare and this helps recognise the uniqueness of each child. Children are generally kept safe and secure and benefit from most health and safety procedures. The childminder is beginning to form useful relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and to reflect on her practice. The self-evaluation procedures are in the early stages and focuses on the strengths of the setting. Current plans for improvements will benefit the children’s well-being.

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further?

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

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children both indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum. This refers to the hand rail on the stairs and the fire blanket in the kitchen  develop further communication between settings to ensure that there is continuity in children’s learning  develop further the quality improvement process, recognising how these processes can extend effective practice and help improve outcomes for every child. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is appropriately managed due to the childminder's genuine commitment to safeguard children and adequate understanding of the known indicators of child abuse. She has the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures easily to hand for reference. The childminder completes suitable records that are required for the efficient management of the early years provision. Children are cared for in a secure environment with most risks suitably assessed and documented although the fire blanket is not attached to an appropriate surface in the kitchen. The childminder protects the stairs with stair gates and ensures children are accompanied when using the stairs. However, the lack of a hand rail as identified at the last inspection has not been addressed. This does not fully protect the children’s safety from falls on the stairs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a strong and effective relationship with the parents and there is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. She ensures that the needs of all children are met and parents well-informed. Children's achievements are confirmed through a daily journal and verbal discussions. There is a climate of confidentiality and inclusion whereby children’s individual needs are mostly recognised and acted upon. Children’s learning is well supported as the environment is amply resourced and the children can choose freely those toys and equipment designated by the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to establish a culture of reflective practice, she is generally motivated to seek further improvement in introducing the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) although she has been unable to attend recent training. There are some suitable plans aimed at improving areas of weakness. The childminder has basic systems to work with other providers of the EYFS and to assist with children’s achievement and well-being. The childminder is in discussion with these providers to extend the current system to include more information on children’s learning and development. Generally the information exchange is by verbal accounts of the children’s day with some awareness of future plans and current activities. For example, children are encouraged to discuss the festivals of others after learning about them at school.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively promotes children's learning and development. Children are happy and settle well as the childminder works to maintain a secure and supportive environment. The childminder’s calm approach and warm and playful interactions motivate young children well and help them to make progress. Children have great fun playing a battery operated game that encourages them to develop control in their fingers and hands, recognise colours and count the ‘wriggly worms’. The childminder supports children to extend their reasoning and numeracy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 skills as she introduces the concepts of most and least. Toys that interest the children are within easy reach and the childminder accesses extra equipment to ensure that sharing becomes a positive experience for all the children, encouraging them to cooperate and play well together. Useful observations of the children at

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and outcomes for children

play inform the childminder of their achievements and their interests. The childminder intuitively plans for the next steps in the children’s development although she has yet to make use of the ‘development matters’ information within the EYFS to plan future experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder ensures children are learning about healthy living as they have regular trips into the community and to visit the woods and parkland, encouraging them to be curious and investigate the features of the natural world and the environment. Children are well nourished as the childminder plans a healthy menu around their likes and dislikes. They are beginning to develop their self-care skills as they grow in confidence and ask to use the toilet. Children are taught to be safety conscious as they move around the house and local neighbourhood. 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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