Reeves, Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 205999 Inspection date 29/10/2009 Inspector Karen Cooper

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and adult child in Littleover, Derbyshire. The ground floor of the childminders home is used for childminding. The location is convenient for schools, parks and shops. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden. The family have a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently minding two children who are within the early years age range. One of the children attends on a full-time basis. The childminder regularly visits local toddler groups and is able to take and collect children from the local pre-school.

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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 are happy, settled and secure in the childminder's care. Activities are suitable to each individual child's stage of development and the good range of toys and resources enables them to make good progress in all areas of learning. The uniqueness of each child is recognised due to the childminder's understanding of children's individual needs. Positive relationships with parents and other practitioners are fostered in order to identify and meet children's individual needs and ensure continuity of care. The childminder is able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of her provision, which enables her to make continuous improvements to benefit children's care, welfare and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the record of risk assessments to include the date they were carried out.

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the early years provision

The childminder is able to clearly identify signs and symptoms of abuse and is fully aware of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care. All of the childminder’s own children have been suitably vetted and minded children are only released into the care of known individuals. Documentation is well-organised and stored effectively to ensure confidentiality is maintained. However, the childminder's risk assessment record is not fully effective as it does not include the date it was reviewed to ensure children safety is fully promoted. Policies and procedures are regularly updated and support the childminder's good practice. The childminder understands the importance of evaluating the service that she provides This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and effective systems are in place to ensure that she continually develops and improves her practices

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly motivated and totally committed to providing a high level of care and education to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children. She is a qualified nursery nurse and is experienced, competent and regularly attends training to update her knowledge and expertise to enhance her good practice. The childminder is well-organised and manages daily routines effectively to accommodate the individual needs of the children attending. Children have access to the ground floor of the childminder's home, which is safe and secure and includes a well-organised playroom which appeals to children. It provides a wealth of exciting learning opportunities which are easily accessible. Children are supported to access all play equipment and they develop a positive sense of identity. The diversity of individuals is valued and respected and the childminder actively promotes equal opportunities, ensuring that all children and families feel

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the early years provision

Links with parents and carers are strong and a welcoming atmosphere helps to create effective communication, ensuring they are kept fully informed about their child's care, learning and developmental progress. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents’ wishes and the childminder takes time to gather information relating to their individual needs and preferences before they start. This ensures continuity of care between home and the setting and helps children to settle well. Informal discussions and daily diaries further develop good relationships with parents. Positive comments received from parent’s state how confident they are in the childminder's ability to care for their children. Partnerships with other practitioners are well-established and there is a good two- way flow of information and knowledge between all partners involved to ensure children’s individual needs are well-met.

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and outcomes for children

The child-friendly environment encourages children's learning as they are free to move around and are able to select from the good deployment of toys and resources. As a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's learning and development. She acquires children's starting points at registration and this enables her to value and build upon their existing skills. The childminder carries out observations that reflect children's achievements and their progress is documented, detailing the next steps in their learning and is well-presented in children's individual folders. Her flexible planning develops through the interests and play preferences of children and ensures that they are able to participate in a range of activities which sustain their interest, covering all six areas of learning and

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and outcomes for children

includes challenges to extend children's skills. For example, the childminder provides resources that are suitable for all ages of children attending, whilst adapting the activity if individual children need further challenge. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have formed good relationships with the childminder and are happy and well-settled. The childminder interacts very well with children, engaging in their play and encouraging dialogue. For example, children like to sit with the childminder to look at favourite books, talk about what they see in the pictures and join in with familiar nursery rhymes. As a result, children talk confidently and build on their vocabulary through the positive interaction and support of the childminder. Children are valued and the childminder helps them to feel good about themselves by frequently providing support, praise and encouragement

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and outcomes for children

while managing their behaviour very well. Children respond well to the childminder's methods of behaviour management, which are suitable to children's age and stage of development and re-enforces positive behaviour. Children are learning to respect each other and, by enabling them to participate in activities that help to promote a range of festivals and cultural differences, they are developing an awareness of the wider community and the world they live in.

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and outcomes for children

The childminders knowledge of children's development and personal preferences ensures that children's individual needs and routines are well-met. Children become independent because the childminder has developed a good balance between adult interaction to extend learning and development and allowing children time to initiate their own interests. Children learn through hands-on experiences and the childminder provides a broad range of stimulating activities for the children to investigate and explore their environment. For example, children notice the differences between the yellow and orange items placed on the display table. Children develop collaborative skills and problem solving through construction play and are learning simple mathematical concepts as they count spontaneously and mark each other on a height chart to see who is the tallest. Children are provided with many opportunities for imaginative play through a wide

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and outcomes for children

selection of dressing-up clothes and role play equipment and explore their creative ideas through cooking, craft activities and other material. They have lots of opportunities to be active and enjoy accessing the garden on a regular basis, where they use a range of wheeled and push-along toys. Children also benefit from activities outside the childminders home. They frequently visit the local toddler groups, reservoir and park, where they get plenty of robust physical exercise using smaller and larger climbing equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well cared for if they have an accident or become ill and there are good procedures in place to protect them from illness and infection. The premises are clean and well-maintained and the childminder helps children to follow good personal hygiene routines. For example, washing their hands before eating and after playing outdoors. Children demonstrate a clear awareness of keeping themselves safe and understand that toys must be put away carefully and not to run indoors. They are aware of the procedure for evacuation in an emergency and regularly practise ‘drop and crawl’ procedures to ensure they remain safe. The childminder promotes healthy eating by providing all children with a well-balanced range of nutritious meals and snacks. Children are encouraged to sit at the table to enjoy their food and drinks are readily available to ensure that they remain hydrated throughout the day. 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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