Boucher, Katrina Hannah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY394527 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Anne Felicity Taylor

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 husband and one year old child in the Claines area of Worcester City. The ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding and the bathroom and spare bedroom on the first floor. There is a garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered to offer overnight care to one child. The childminder cares for one early years child at present.

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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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that the needs of the children are met well because she offers settling in sessions, enabling her to build strong open relationships and obtain relevant information from parents. She continues to gain a knowledge and understanding of all requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and these are supported through well devised and maintained documentation. As a result it is clear to see that children are making good progress in their learning and development and that their welfare is promoted well. The childminder recognises and respects children's individuality, always striving to met any particular need. During the brief time she has been childminding the childminder has begun to evaluate her practice and has arranged additional training, demonstrating her commitment to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend and develop further procedures for self evaluation.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and her duty to take action if she is concerned. She is completing additional training and has developed a clear policy and procedures. This is shared with parents and discussed during initial visits. Supervision is a priority and the childminder ensures the suitability of adults who spend time with the children, for example, at local groups. She uses risk assessments well to identify potential hazards in her premises and on outings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Good quality and well maintained toys and equipment are provided for the children. Books and toys are organised to enable the children to make choices and develop their own play, adding to their confidence and enjoyment.

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the early years provision

Generally, new children and parents have three settling in visits, giving ample opportunity for the exchange of information and to build relationships. The childminder has developed an informative welcome pack for parents which includes details of routines, policies and procedures and contracts. Therefore, parents are very clear about the service offered by the childminder and have confidence in her abilities. The childminder maintains all necessary daily records. Parents particularly value the daily discussion that takes place and their child's daily diary, giving an exchange of valuable information about eating, sleeping and activities and achievements. This means that each child's needs are met. Parent's are well informed about their child's progress, with the opportunity to look at their Learning Journey and to have samples of work to take home. The childminder is pro active in establishing relationships with other settings the children may attend and has a

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the early years provision

very good understanding of the value to the child of working cooperatively with other early years practitioners.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a good role model for the children, having a positive attitude to equality and diversity. She welcomes everyone to the setting and ensures that children access resources which provide positive images of all areas of society. Children are offered regular opportunities to use resources within the local community to widen their experience and develop their confidence, such as visits to local parks and shops, a soft play area and groups where they do lots of creative activities. The childminder has made a good start in compiling a self evaluation and she has ideas in mind to extend her system. She has already identified relevant training to increase her skills, for example, for planning and assessment. This means that there is a positive impact on the children's welfare and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children access a wide range of resources, activities and experiences during their time with the childminder. When playing and learning at home, children have free access to toys and books, and follow their own interests to develop their play, for example, as a child plays a drum, others join in clapping and dancing. The childminder supports the children to gain skills as they use car and train tracks, as they solve problems and develop physical movement. Children enjoy creative and imaginative adult led activities at groups, cutting and sticking to make paper pig faces and imaginative play 'in the kitchen'. Children develop a love of books, selecting a story for the childminder to read. Children are enthusiastic about touch and feel books and 'talk to Mummy on the telephone', developing their imaginative and language skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans the week ahead to ensure appropriate resources are available, taking into account the children's ages, ability and pattern of attendance. Observations of the children, together with some information obtained from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents, form the basis of children's assessments, which are used effectively to inform planning. Good procedures are in place to ensure that all areas of learning are covered and the childminder is very knowledgeable about each child's abilities. Therefore, all learning needs are addressed and activities can be adapted for different ages and stages of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the setting, enjoying their time with the childminder and approaching her for support and comfort when necessary. They use all registered areas of the childminder's home with confidence and thrive within the flexible routine. They are encouraged to become aware of risks and of keeping themselves safe during regular activities, for example, safety when out on walks. The childminder is very aware of encouraging physical development and younger children have opportunities to progress and practise their emergent physical skills within a safe environment. Children are currently provided with all meals and snacks by the childminder. She provides a varied and healthy diet and discusses with parents any dietary needs and the introduction of new tastes to younger children. Children stay clean and comfortable because the childminder has good routines and practices in place for nappy changing. Individual changing mats

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and outcomes for children

are used and the childminder and the children clean their hands routinely, minimising the risk of cross infection. Children's health is promoted well because children can sleep comfortably and safely during their daily routine.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing good relationships amongst themselves, displaying spontaneous affection for each other and playing cooperatively. Good behaviour and achievement are celebrated with clapping and saying hooray! Children learn skills for the future as the childminder consistently encourages good manners and kindness and respect towards others. 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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