Docksey, Donna Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392785 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Beverley Blackburn

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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 June 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 11 in Malmesbury Wiltshire. All of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has two rabbits, two hamsters and a puppy as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder's registration permits her to care for six children under eight years, of these, not more than three may be in the early years age group at any one time. She currently minds eight children on a part-time basis; of these four are in the early years age group.

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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

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment, where they are provided with a range of interesting and stimulating activities. The childminder knows the children well, which enables her to meet their individual learning and development needs effectively. Strong links with the parents help to involve them in their children's care and education and keep them informed of their children's progress. This ensures continuity of care and learning for the children. The childminder has made improvements since her registration. She has identified areas for development, and has plans for further enhancement to her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities  ensure the observation and assessment records show the next steps in all children's learning and development

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the early years provision

The organisation of the childminder's service is effective as she has all the required policies and procedures in place. These are kept up to date, as she is diligent in making sure she has the latest information on all the children. Her documentation is well organised. She has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the importance of keeping accurate records. She is confident in explaining her role and responsibilities should This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 there be a concern. The childminder is aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality. Robust steps are taken to safeguard children and promote their welfare.

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the early years provision

There are a good range of toys and equipment accessible to the children. Resources are well deployed, including any extended services, to improve the outcomes for the children, such as visits to the local library, toddlers group and other childminders. However, resources to promote cultural diversity are lacking.

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the early years provision

The childminder is skilful at risk assessing her home environment and any outings on a regular basis and keeps comprehensive records, which include action taken and date the environment was last checked. She addresses any identified hazards effectively. This helps to maintain the children's safety at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder is effective in identifying strengths and weaknesses of the provision. She has a suitable process in place for carrying out her self-evaluation. She has identified some areas for development; for example, to increase her resources so that there is a balance for both boys and girls; to increase her range of multicultural resources and to develop her record keeping on the progress of all the children, clearly identifying the next step in their learning and development. The childminder plans to continue to update her knowledge on child protection issues by completing an online course. She reflects on her practice and shows good capacity to improve what she offers children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with the parents. She places great importance on gathering and sharing information about the children in her care in order to meet their individual welfare needs effectively. She also provides individual records on each child with an account of their progress in learning and development. The childminder works well with the parents; she tries to involve them in the children's learning by inviting them to contribute items to the activities. She keeps a daily dairy, recording activities carried out each day. There is good two-way communication between them. The very positive feedback from questionnaires demonstrates that parents and children are very happy with the level of care that the childminder offers. The childminder has good links with other services, such as the local schools. She works well with the local pre-school sharing ideas and agreement on improvement of progress on the children that attend. This

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the early years provision

helps to promote the integration of the children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shows enthusiasm and takes a positive approach to her childminding. Children are settled, happy and relaxed and have a good relationship with her. They display a strong sense of belonging. The good interaction between her and the children helps to promote their self-esteem and confidence. She supports the children's learning and development effectively through play. The childminder has appropriate strategies in place to manage children's behaviour according to their age and stage of development. Children are well behaved. They are aware of their boundaries. The childminder takes time to understand the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's individual needs. They receive good support from her, which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She shows an understanding of how children learn and routinely observes and assesses their progress. She plans their learning according to their individual needs and ability. She is aware of each child's starting point through discussions with parents and her own observation. Her observation takes account of what the children can and cannot do. She has started to plan the next step in learning and development of some children in the early years age group. She keeps individual folders on each child, which are shared with the parents. The childminder is making good progress in linking the learning and development requirements with the early learning goals and, as a result, the children are making good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children can access a good range of toys and resources that are appropriate to their age and development. They confidently choose what they want to play with. Children experience a range of activities daily, such as craft activities, painting, imaginative play, dressing up, board games or visiting the toddler's group where they can interact with other children. There is a balance between adult-led and child-led activities. Photographs of children at play provide good evidence of children enjoying interesting and stimulating activities. Children have good opportunities to explore and become active learners. Younger children are effectively included in all activities. Available photo evidence shows young children developing their manipulative stills by learning to feed themselves, playing the gulp and painting. Children's learning experiences are enhanced by visiting the library and having the opportunity to choose their own books. The childminder tries to

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and outcomes for children

adapt the same principle at home by providing the children with books bags so that they select their favourite books for quiet reading. Children enjoy physical activities, such as walking, playing in the garden using the large equipment such as the slide, visiting the local park or enjoying music and movement. The childminder supports the children's learning well by providing a good environment that appropriately caters for all the children's learning and development needs. The childminder has a positive attitude towards children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy regular outdoor exercise and outings, such as walks, playing in the garden or visits to local garden centres. They enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and meals and are encouraged to keep themselves hydrated by drinking regularly. The childminder is aware of children with special dietary needs and meets their needs as required. There is an effective sick children policy in place, which is shared with the parents. Children are learning to keep themselves safe, as the childminder teaches them about being safe on the road, and evacuating the premises safely in the event of a fire. The childminder keeps records of fire drills carried out. She ensures children are appropriately strapped into their car seats, and that children are well supervised; ensuring the children's safety is maintained at all times. 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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