Fitzgerald, Suzanne Kathleen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY393751 Inspection date 26/10/2009 Inspector Ann Hilary Guy

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her husband, and three children aged 15, nine and eight years old, in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding during the day with rest and overnight care on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, plus two children overnight, and is currently minding four children under five, some of whom are part time, and one child before and after school. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools, and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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

Children of all ages are extremely happy and settled in this warm, friendly family home which offers a wide range of activities to stimulate and challenge for all ages. The childminder spends her time with the children, always monitoring what they are doing, offering praise and encouragement, and ensuring the safety of the youngest children by remaining close to them at all times. Children make good progress from their various starting points, as the childminder has a sound understanding of child development and provides activities to stimulate and challenge all ages. The many photos show the progress children have made from since being with her and the wide range of activities provided, both inside and outside the house. These, together with the children's daily diary, begin to show how children are moving towards the early learning goals, although no individual observations have been recorded. Daily visual risk assessments of the house and

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

garden ensure children are as safe as possible at all times, however, no written record is maintained. The childminder attends as many courses as possible and also extends her knowledge and understanding through reading, enabling her to continually review and develop her practice to meet the individual needs of every child.

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further?

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

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further?

 record the dates risk assessments are carried out, and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 20/11/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop a system of noting observations, evaluating the learning from the observation and planning the next steps of learning, in order to plan for the individual needs of each child

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of all aspects of safeguarding the children in her care. She has written risk assessments for the house and garden plus all the outings and regular activities children go to, however, none of these record the date of the assessment and any actions that need to be taken. Failure to keep this written record, although a breach in requirements, does not affect the high standard of safeguarding maintained. The childminder fully understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection and has all the relevant local authority documents, although her written policy does not fully reflect this. This is a requirement of the Childcare Register.

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the early years provision

The childminder has actively developed her provision by attending courses to extend her knowledge and understanding and by purchasing books to assist her in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has a great many resources throughout the house. Some are stored in the playroom in labelled containers for children to have free access, others are stored in her children's bedrooms, the garden or the kitchen/diner. This allows for some rotation of equipment to give as much variety as possible. Children are treated as individuals, with the childminder having a very good understanding of their development level and providing resources including dressing up, books, puzzles and small world toys that reflect different cultures and disabilities. She also embraces the traditions, celebrations and religions of all the families in a very sensitive way.

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the early years provision

The childminder constantly evaluates her setting and has used the Ofsted self- evaluation form to assist her with this, together with asking all the parents to complete questionnaires. She has then been able to identify areas for improvement and seek courses or resources to assist her in improving her provision. A very good relationship has been built with the parents, with the childminder completing a daily diary for the children who are not in school. Her daily conversations and information sharing with the parents enable them to be fully informed of their child's progress and development. Although no links have been made with other professionals, the parents keep her fully informed about their child's progress and topics they are looking at whilst at the pre-school. The childminder has a very good understanding of the importance of sharing information with other professionals and is looking forward to implementing this.

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children receive a warm, friendly welcome to this family home, where they have access to most areas on the ground floor including a dedicated playroom. Suitable facilities are in place on the first floor for children to stay overnight or sleep during the day. The childminder plans over the weekend, basing this on the individual needs and interests of the children, to give a wide variety of activities both inside and outside the house. She aims to have one adult-led activity each day, which can be things like craft, cookery or an outdoor activity. Children became fully engrossed using the home made play dough together with the wide range of cutters, moulds and rolling pins. Whilst enjoying making their own things, the children also make positive and encouraging remarks about other children's creations, regardless of their age. This close family play environment helps children appreciate skills that both older and younger children have and encourages the

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and outcomes for children

positive dialogue and building relationships.

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and outcomes for children

Children get involved in activities that cover all six areas of learning both inside and outside the house. The childminder's intuitive understanding of the children enables her to support the children at whatever they are doing, whether building towers with Duplo bricks, playing with dolls or discovering how things can be put in and out of boxes. Every child receives encouragement and praise appropriate to their level of understanding.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a number of photography albums containing pictures of the wide range of activities they have been involved in. These are kept on the bookshelf for free access. These dated photographs, together with the children's individual diaries begin to show how they are making good progress in all areas of the curriculum. The childminder knows the children well and has a good understanding of what to provide to extend each child's learning, although no specific observations are carried out. Each child is encouraged to follow their interests and the childminder will find equipment and activities to enable them to do this.

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and outcomes for children

The health and well-being of the children is positively promoted through the very good personal hygiene routines and effective management of space to enable there to be a quiet area for children to go and have a rest, if they are not sleeping in a cot. Throughout their time with the childminder the children learn how to keep themselves and those younger than them safe, especially when in the car or walking. Clear house rules underpin the management of children's behaviour and help to teach children good manners and the importance of sharing.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a healthy diet of freshly prepared meals and snacks which include a suitable amount of fruit and vegetables, giving a balanced and nutritious diet. The childminder is happy to work with parents to meet any special dietary needs, ensuring the food prepared is similar, if not exactly the same, for all children. Children have free access to the secure rear garden which is extremely well equipped to meet the needs of all ages, enabling the childminder to positively promote a healthy lifestyle and children's physical development. The positive This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 interaction between the children, their parents and the childminder enables individual care for every child. 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 exceptiona lly 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 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 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: 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

 ensure the content of the safeguarding policy is clear with regard to child protection (Arrangements for Safeguarding) 20/11/2009

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for Safeguarding) 20/11/2009

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