Regan, Jean Diane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 505178 Inspection date 27/10/2009 Inspector Margaret Bryant

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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 1999 and lives with her teenage son in the village of Hibaldstow in north Lincolnshire. Her property is all on one level with children having use of the lounge, dining area and kitchen with occasional use of the hall. Outdoors to the rear is an enclosed garden for children's use. Children enjoy local walks around the area, to the park and outings in the childminder's car. The family have four dogs.

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Description of the childminding

She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old. Currently, there are seven children on roll. The childminder is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She receives support from the local authority and 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

All children on roll have been cared for by the childminder since young babies and as a result are very happy and settled with her. Her home is adequately clean with children having easy access to a range of clean and suitable resources. She identifies her strengths well and some areas for improvement and although risk assessments are in place, steps to safeguard children are not properly assessed. Systems which monitor children's learning are developing well, with effective partnerships in place with all parents, however links with others who also assess are not yet in place. Records required by regulations are of an acceptable standard, although the register of attendance includes only children's Christian names.

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further?

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

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further?

 must take steps to prevent intruders entering the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 consider the risk of children being able to leave the premises unaccompanied through making sure doors are secured and methods used comply with local fire officer regulations; provide all children with opportunities to practice fire drills  improve documentation making sure that all is appropriately dated and includes children's full names, for example, the attendance register This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  further develop planning and assessment arrangements including partnership with others who assess children to identify learning priorities for each child; make sure all observations are dated.

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the early years provision

There is an effective safeguarding policy, which clearly reflects the requirements of the Statutory Framework and local guidance and procedures. Recent safeguarding training shows she has an understanding of safeguarding children issues and she closely supervises them when indoors. She deploys her time well as she ensures all children are safe and within sight and hearing. They all behave very well and clearly know the boundaries and rules they help compile, however they are not appropriately safeguarded when they are able to leave the premises unaccompanied because the back door is not secured. This leads to the rear garden, where the gate is not secured either and means the garden and home are not safe from unwanted visitors and possible intruders. This constitutes a breach of specific legal requirements in relation to safeguarding. Most other areas in the home are assessed well, however in terms of risk, children are protected well on outings.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships are in place with parents who report highly of the care provided for their children and they are fully included in their children's learning. Those parents with children in the early years age range receive regular, written reports about their children's progress across all six areas of learning. Information about the areas is provided for parents in their children's folders and helps them know the criteria she uses in making assessments. She does this well and uses the practice guidance in helping her identify children's next stages of learning, though not all information in their files is dated. She knows all children very well and plans around their interests, however she does not yet formally plan for individuals, nor has she formed links with others who also assess children in the early years.

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the early years provision

All her policies and procedures are current with the regulations and are shared with parents. Complaint forms are available also for parents with Ofsted contact details on display. She collects information from parents which includes: children's routines; emergency contact numbers and their written permission, enabling her to seek medical help for their children in case of emergency. Those recommendations raised at the time of the last inspection have been addressed and all records as required by the regulations are in place. However, the attendance register does not include children's surnames. The childminder completed the Ofsted self- evaluation form and sent this prior to her inspection, this shows she recognises her strengths well with the identification of some areas for improvement. She intends to use this system on an ongoing basis to evaluate her practice with target dates. She enjoys her work with children and is committed to providing them with all her

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the early years provision

time and attention and is happy to attend any training, to increase her knowledge and to benefit them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

All children are very much at home in her care and are 'one big family', as they know one another very well, some being siblings. They show real care and consideration for one another, the older children being careful when playing alongside the youngest children to keep them safe. They all clearly love the childminder and show their affection for her in different ways. Some children hug her, others sit on her knee and put their arms around her and the youngest of children reach out to be picked up and hugged. Children present during school holiday periods help her decide what they will do. She talks to them with respect and seeks their views not only through discussion, but through the use of an 'ideas' box, which respects their anonymity. Children who are able to, write down what they like to do and she tries her best to include their wishes. She does not tell children if she has recognised their writing, allowing them to feel safe

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and outcomes for children

and say what they wish. They all enjoy make-believe and sometimes older children join in with the younger ones as they play with the toy kitchen, which includes a microwave with sound effects. They serve the food they prepare on plates for their friends and the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

They have opportunities to be involved in all types of play and go outdoors on local walks, to the park, to see the horses and visit play centres daily. They all enjoy being creative and the youngest children enjoy using the wide range of materials available, as they stick and paste and make pictures. They enjoy the praise they get from the childminder, which raises their self-esteem and helps them feel good about themselves. All children have opportunities to paint and bake and sometimes they make pizzas to take home. Older children like to play football and cricket and take the bats and balls with them to the park, the childminder ensuring the youngest children are safe whilst they play their game. Children are able to adopt some healthy practices, know that exercise is good for them and enjoy sharing with the childminder the dance routines they do in school to keep fit. Children readily help themselves to drinks they pour themselves, the youngest children

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and outcomes for children

being assisted in this. They eat their own packed lunches together, sometimes sitting at the table.

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and outcomes for children

The home is acceptable in terms of cleanliness and ventilation is adequate. Children know about keeping safe as they learn about road safety and all those not secure in pushchairs, know to hold hands and to stop, look and listen, before crossing roads together. The childminder has an evacuation plan in place and appropriate fire fighting equipment, however not all children have taken part in a fire drill. Children are secured appropriately in her car and her current public liability insurance is on display, as well as her certificate of registration. Children are helped to notice the world around them as they go on outings and meet and establish contact with other children and adults. However, although children are aware of the possible danger of talking to strangers, they feel safe when they know they can speak to them, as long as the childminder says it is safe to do so. 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 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR 7.1) 24/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR 7.1) 24/11/2009

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