Preston, Sarah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY381419 Inspection date 11/11/2009 Inspector Suzanne Joyce Stedman

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, one and 12 in Brentwood, Essex. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home 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 to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently caring for five children, two of whom are in the Early Years age group. The childminder walks to local groups to take and collect children. The family has a cat and tortoises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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's individual needs are very well met because the childminder observes children closely and as a result is familiar with the way they play and learn. She uses her knowledge of their stage of development to provide activities which will motivate and stimulate them and extend their learning. She offers a welcoming and inclusive service and engages with parents to involve them in their children's learning and development. She reflects on her practice using a range of methods and has a firm commitment to further improve and develop her service by becoming an accredited childminder and completing her level three training in child care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the safeguarding policy to include a procedure to be followed if an allegation is made against a household member  develop activities for children to show similarities and differences, such as culture, disablities or gender

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect. The childminder has attended safeguarding training, all adults in the home have had the necessary checks to ensure that they are suitable to be in contact with children. She has a secure knowledge of what to do if she has a concern about the welfare of a child in her care. She has up-to-date information, including referral This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 numbers, and has a clear safeguarding policy which is shared with parents. However, the policy requires further development to include a procedure to be followed if an allegation is made against a member of the household. The childminder has a good safety awareness and conducts regular stringent risk assessments. She checks her environment inside and out on a daily basis and takes action to remove any items which may pose a risk to children. She keeps a

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the early years provision

written record of her detailed risk assessments. Children are protected on outings as the childminder conducts a risk assessment before each outing and carries a diary with contact numbers in case of emergencies. Children learn about safety as they are reminded how to play safely. Road safety and 'stranger danger' is also reinforced with children when on outings and the childminder is a member of the traffic club which helps the children learn about road safety with fun activities such as DVDs games and flash cards. Children also take part in the fire drill of the premises so they know what to do in the event of a fire.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a strong commitment to providing a high quality service. She is eager to continue her training and is currently attending unit five in child care to gain her level three NVQ. She evaluates her practice and identifies areas she wishes to improve. Resources are appropriate and deployed effectively, however there are limited activities relating to similarities and differences. The childminder ensures that the toys and equipment she provides are of particular interest to individual children, for example, providing a very good range of craft materials, play dough and cake making. Although not caring for any child with English as a second language at present she has cared for children with little to no English in the past and worked with the mother to learn key words.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides parents with excellent information about the service, including an information pack along with policies and procedures. Parents are kept in touch with how their children are developing and are encouraged to share their own knowledge of children's starting points and ongoing development. The childminder communicates with parents via daily discussions and contact diaries. She has developed partnerships with other providers delivering the EYFS to minded children. Written observations are shared with parents and they are encouraged to add their own information.

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and outcomes for children

Children make very good progress in the childminder's care. She uses her observations of their play and different learning styles to provide them with opportunities to extend and develop their learning. Her good knowledge of their stage of development and their interests ensures that children are well motivated and busily occupied while they are in her care. The childminder obtains information about their starting points so that she can accommodate their interests, for example, using an interactive farm where the children listened to the animals sounds, identified the animals and copied the sounds they made. Observations are made in different ways, through written observations, contact diaries, photographs and examples of children's work, and information from these is used to plan for individual children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children communicate confidently with the childminder and are settled and secure

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and outcomes for children

in the setting. The childminder chats to children asking question such as what is this colour, how many, which is the longest. Problem solving is developed by using activities such as puzzles and cooking. Numbers and letters are introduced through play activities when appropriate. For example, counting the number of bricks as they built a tower.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to use their imaginations in the play kitchen using play food and kitchen utensils. Good opportunities for mark-making and craft activities are provided. Children learn about the world around them through activities such as planting and growing sunflower seeds. Visiting country parks to feed ducks, geese, donkeys and deer. Sand and water play is available for children to explore and investigate in the home and on outings.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. They have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise and walk out to local allotments to feed the donkey's and the local library to join in activities such as story time. They also attend toddler groups daily to promote socialising. The childminder aims to provide a balanced and nutritious diet in accordance to parents' wishes. The children's drinks are easily accessible so the children can keep themselves hydrated. The childminder has good hygiene procedures and encourages children to wash their hands before they eat, after toileting and playing in the garden. Children are able to rest according to their routines and enjoy cuddling up on the sofa after listening to a story. Children feel very safe in the childminder's care as they have built up warm and trusting relationships with her. They are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe through her sensitive explanations. Children behave well as they are busily

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and outcomes for children

occupied and interested in the activities provided. They develop an interest in recycling as they use recycled item in treasure baskets. 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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