Harvey, Sally Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY393805 Inspection date 03/12/2009 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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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 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and three years in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children at any one time of these two may be within the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll, who attend on a part time basis, all children attending are aged within the early years age range. The childminder attends the local toddler group regularly.

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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 thrive in this safe, welcoming and stimulating environment. All children are offered good quality care and learning opportunities which are tailored to meet their individual needs. Due to this all children are making good progress in their learning and development. Outstanding and excellent established partnerships with parents are a particular strength of this setting, which ensures that children’s continuity, welfare and education are consistently supported. The childminder accurately identifies her strengths and has clear plans in place to further improve her practice. As a result this promotes good outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop methods of plotting children's progress to ensure this can be quickly assessed to give a clear picture of their learning and development

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding children procedures and issues, she fully understands her role to protect children from abuse and is very familiar with possible symptoms and how to discuss and refer concerns. She discusses her safeguarding responsibilities with parents and ensures that all household members have appropriate background checks. The childminder has an excellent relationship with all her parents and she encourages them to discuss any concerns they may have about her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures the safety of the children at all times, she uses role play and communication daily to develop the children’s own understanding so that they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 too safeguard themselves. The home is safe and secure and she has effective procedures in place to deal with emergencies, fire evacuation, illnesses and accidents. The childminder has undertaken detailed risk assessments of the home, garden and outings to ensure any possible hazards are minimised. Due to this the children can freely explore the environment. All the required regulatory information is in place and records, policies and procedures are well maintained, easily accessible and work well in practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has exceptional relationships with all parents and is developing this in accordance to other settings which children attend. She welcomes all families to her setting and has comprehensive documentation to ensure that the parents fully understand her roles and responsibilities. The childminder provides parents with daily diaries, children’s learning journeys clearly show what the children do with the childminder which the parents adore as this reflects the time and fun they have with her. The childminder actively encourages parents to provide feedback about her setting and their responses are very positive. The childminder regularly communicates with some of the settings that the children attend to ensure that she is able to compliment the activities that they provide and maintain the continuity for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuously reviewing and improving all areas of practice. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which has a positive impact on children. Development records are undertaken on all children which clearly link into the six areas of learning, however these records do not give a clear picture of how children’s development is being progressed in their learning and development. Regardless of this, the childminder regularly researches good practice in childcare to improve her current practice and she is planning to pursue further training to underpin her good practice in the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are clearly confident, settled and enjoy the time they spend with this childminder. They have developed close and trusting relationships which enables them to explore the environment in a confident manor, they seek help from the childminder when required and the childminder is skilful at engaging with the children and developing their interests through communication. The childminder introduces young children to colours, shapes and numbers through everyday play such as playing with animals, through art and craft and when playing in the post office outside.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories and the childminder uses this time to explore sounds and new words. The childminder plans her week to ensure children have a balance of activities both within the home and out in the wider community. However, the childminder is competent at changing these plans to link in with he children’s interests, especially after a fire drill. Children enjoy attending toddler groups, visiting friends and the library, this develops good opportunity for the children to interact with other children and learn key skills such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as sharing. The childminder ensures planned activities give the children good opportunities to explore all the areas of learning. Due to this all children are making sound progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder encourages the children to remind each other of rules of the house, for example they talk about not throwing in the home and that they may throw balls outside. They remind each other not to run on the slabs as these are wet. When out with the children the childminder talks to them about safety and the need to stay with her and follow the green cross code. Children are well behaved overall, they are given very good amounts of praise and attention throughout the painting activity and when outside washing the cars and exploring. This builds the children’s self confidence and as a result, children understand the boundaries and behaviour is good overall.

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and outcomes for children

Children are safeguarded from the spread of infection as the childminder encourages them to follow simple everyday routines, such as hand washing before lunch and from returning from outside play. Children are encouraged to eat a balanced diet, as all meals are provided by parents. The childminder uses her time with them to develop their understanding of the importance of healthy diet, such as eating snacks of fresh fruit to keep them healthy and growing their own vegetables. As a result, this develops the children’s understanding to choose healthy foods and look after themselves nutritionally. 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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