Snowdon, Amanda Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY391182 Inspection date 23/11/2009 Inspector Rachel Ayo

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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 husband and four children aged 13,12, 10 and one year in a property in the village of Carleton, near Skipton, North Yorkshire close to the local school, a park and shops. On the ground floor the conservatory, lounge and kitchen diner are used for childminding purposes along with two first floor bedrooms, used for sleeping purposes, and a bathroom. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years, of whom, two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age group and two children on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends a variety of groups within the community during the week. 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

Children's welfare is promoted appropriately overall although some documentation does not fully meet requirements. Children are happy and confident in the homely environment and good settling in arrangements means that their sense of security is effectively fostered. Children's learning and development is supported adequately although at present systems are not fully established in relation to planning and assessment. Partnership working with parents is suitable overall in ensuring that information is obtained for each child in order to meet their individual needs and ensure inclusion. There are adequate systems for self- evaluation in order for the childminder to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve documentation by ensuring that accident records include any first aid treatment that has been administered and that there are no gaps in the written parental permissions to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 23/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the systems for observation and assessment so that observations are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 matched to the expectations of the early learning goals and, thereby, highlight how this informs future planning  ensure that all rooms used by the children are maintained at an adequate temperature to fully ensure the comfort of the children  obtain further information from parents as part of settling in arrangements in order to support children's learning and development  improve safety procedures by logging details of the evacuation drills in order to review any problems encountered and how they were resolved and by recording visitor's names, the purpose of the visit and details of arrival and departure times  obtain the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) local guidance and procedures to ensure that the child protection policy is in line with this.

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the early years provision

Children are suitably safeguarded. All adults in the home are vetted in order to protect children. The childminder is able to identify possible signs or symptoms of abuse and neglect and has some child protection information. However, she does not hold the most up to date local guidance and procedures. Appropriate risk assessments means that hazards indoors and outdoors are identified and minimised in order to promote children's welfare. Most practice and record keeping systems support safety procedures. For example, very young children are securely fastened in highchairs, doors are kept locked for security and the rear rings on the cooker are used when preparing lunch. Systems are not yet in place for logging visitors and the practised evacuation drill.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares information, including policies and procedures, with parents before their child's placement to ensure that they are fully aware of how the setting operates. She finds out about, and adheres to, home routines to ensure continuity in care and a daily diary ensures on-going communication with parents. They are invited to share things about their child within this although the information gained to help establish their child's starting points is more limited. Most documentation to promote the efficient and safe management of the setting and for working in partnership with parents is in place. However, there are breaches in requirements because of gaps in written parental consents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. In addition, the accident records do not include details of the first aid treatment that has been administered.

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the early years provision

The childminder has suitably identified areas for development through her own self-evaluation document, for example, her outdoor area and observation and assessment. She has made suitable strides since registration in her practice. Along with attending required training the childminder has attended additional short courses through cluster meetings, such as inclusion and risk assessments which improves outcomes for children. The childminder has devised a training plan and future courses are booked regarding food safety and developing practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This demonstrates the childminder's commitment to her own personal development. She has recently devised This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 questionnaires for parents to complete, but these have not yet been distributed to parents.

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and outcomes for children

A good range of equipment is provided to meet children's needs, promote their development and keep them safe. Areas are appropriately maintained and welcoming although the conservatory is not maintained at an appropriate temperature to fully ensure children's comfort. Young children are clearly at home in the setting as they confidently explore their environment which is organised suitably in order for them to make choices about their play and learning ensuring inclusion. For example, they use their developing physical skills to walk around furniture to reach the rocking toy and carefully negotiate the small step down into the conservatory to access toys. The childminder sets out a range of toys in the conservatory including a basket containing a variety of natural materials and household objects. Young children show delight as the metal objects make an interesting sound when banged together.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very aware of children's interests and considers these within her provision. She has begun to undertake observations of what children do, including through photographs, and provides a range of play opportunities for the children across the six areas of learning. However, the systems for observation and assessment are not yet established to fully support children's learning and development in relation to observations being matched to the expectations of the early learning goals. Positive relationships are clearly fostered as young children readily approach the childminder for a cuddle and they develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem through frequent praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Young children attempt to communicate in a range of ways through babbling and gestures. They make their needs known, such as when they want to get past the childminder as they move around the kitchen using the kitchen cupboards to steady themselves or as they defend a toy they are playing with. The childminder shows an interest in what young children say and do and talks to them about what she is doing. Books are readily available to support children's interest in print and young children clearly enjoy touching the different textures in one story, which the childminder sits and reads. The childminder uses everyday opportunities to support learning, for example, as she counts the animals in the story books or counts, 'one shoe, two shoe' whilst taking these off to change a nappy. A range of books, depicting diversity positively, helps children to learn to value and appreciate the similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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and outcomes for children

A variety of outings are planned within the local community, such as feeding ducks in the village, visits to the park, play groups and musical tots. These provide additional learning opportunities and enable children to benefit from fresh air and exercise. Young children show an interest in technology as they press the buttons on the dishwasher, switched off to promote safety, or a musical toy. Children develop creativity as they listen to different types of music, such as Mozart and nursery rhymes and a range of media is provided for them to explore. Appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hygiene routines along with the provision of nutritious meals and snacks means that children adopt healthy habits. 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 3 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 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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