Hill, Elaine Lucy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300354 Inspection date 08/10/2009 Inspector Lisa Patterson

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged four, six and eight years, in Preston, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the house and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is an enclosed decked area of the garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding three children in this age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and cares for children before and after school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

A sufficient knowledge of each child's needs makes sure the childminder provides appropriately for the children's welfare and learning. Monitoring systems are in place, although are currently not fully established. Children are mostly safe and secure, however some hazards have been overlooked. Partnerships with parents are effective, although links with other settings providing the Early Years Foundation Stage to children have not been established. Recent changes to practice have had a positive impact on the children, however, formal methods for continuous self-evaluation have not been fully introduced.

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further?

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

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further?

 include the correct contact details of Ofsted in the complaints procedure and, in the safeguarding policy outline the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of serious harm or abuse by any person living, working or looking after children at the premises, or any other abuse which is alleged to have taken place on the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 22/10/2009

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further?

 make sure assessments of risk cover everything with which a child may come into contact and take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 22/10/2009 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?

 continue to develop the use of a range of observation and assessment techniques to identify and monitor starting points and next steps in children's learning so that learning can be specifically tailored to individual needs more fully  work in partnership with other settings to support the children's development and progress towards the outcomes of Every Child Matters  further develop continuous quality improvement through using the Ofsted self-evaluation form and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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the early years provision

Children are not adequately safeguarded because the safeguarding policy does not include required information and the childminder has insufficient understanding of the regulatory duty to inform Ofsted of any allegations of abuse against herself or members of the household. Risk assessments are carried out regularly and highlight most risks in the home and the outside area. They have not been updated recently, taking into account additional hazards created by renovation work to the dining area, such as a hand saw and planks of wood accessible to children. This puts them at increased risk from harm.

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the early years provision

Required documentation is in place, in order and very well organised. There is a comprehensive set of policies which are shared with parents, however, these have not been updated with the current telephone number of Ofsted.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships have been created with parents. Daily diaries keep parents up to date with key information and some developmental reports, and there is a large noticeboard in the playroom giving information about the framework, some policies and information leaflets. Partnerships with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children have not been established, therefore continuity of care in all areas of learning is not fully effective.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time in the setting. They self-select from a range of resources available to them in see-through containers. Children play independently or with their friends and the childminder offers additional challenges where appropriate, such as rolling a large soft die, counting the spots and doing actions correlating with the number of spots. Tentative starting points have been identified and the childminder has used these to devise tracking systems, which show suitable progress. These have not yet been completed for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children play with a range of resources. They make patterns and pictures by cutting and sticking old Christmas cards and show delight with their creations. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They develop their technology skills through using children's computer toys and are adept in using the stylus to get the desired response from the computer book. They count and are beginning to calculate during activities, and role play at being builders with the equipment provided. Babies' babbles are mimicked and the childminder talks to them all the time to develop fundamental skills in language and conversation. They all enjoy sharing books together, looking at and talking about the pictures, and handling them appropriately. Children enjoy regular physical activity, both indoors and out and also visit indoor play barns to develop gross motor skills. Some of their creations have been displayed on the walls and

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and outcomes for children

this gives children a sense of achievement.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe in the setting. They learn how to stay safe through discussions about road safety when out and about and the childminder discusses issues with them in the home when activities are not appropriate or may cause harm to themselves or others. Children know about good hygiene and wash their hands prior to meals and snacks, with antibacterial gel available also. They thoroughly enjoy the snacks on offer and ask for more fruit from the fruit bowl. They share kindly with each other and respond well to the clear boundaries in place and displayed in the play room. Children enjoy books and toys about different cultures and food from around the world and interact with children with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities. This gives them an understanding of the diverse nature of society. 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 4 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 3 The extent to which children feel safe 4 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 3

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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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