Smith, Lisa

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY317597 Inspection date 16/11/2009 Inspector Deborah Ball

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 10 and five years in the market town of Newton Abbot, Devon. The whole of the property is used for childminding. The premises are easily accessible. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are taken on local outings and walks. The family have a rabbit, a guinea pig and a tortoise as pets.

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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 seven may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has procedures to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and who speak English as an additional language. She is a member of the Devon 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

Great care and attention is given to each individual child by this very experienced and dedicated childminder. Children are highly valued and respected, with their individual needs clearly identified and nurtured. The childminder is committed to planning and providing an exciting, purposeful range of activities, which are adapted to suit their differing ages and abilities. There is effective implementation of the comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place, promoting well- established relationships with parents and carers to ensure that gaps in children's development are identified at an early stage. The childminder has started to evaluate her childcare practice and demonstrates a good commitment to continually develop her service to improve outcomes for children. However, the self-evaluation system is in its infancy and is not yet sufficiently developed to ensure the childminder is able to make continuous improvements in all areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self-evaluation systems further to ensure priorities for making continuous improvements in all areas are identified and implemented. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder takes her role and responsibilities very seriously particularly when safeguarding children. All adults in the household are carefully checked and reciprocal cover in the event of an emergency is provided by another registered childminder who is familiar with the children and their parents. They are also informed of the childminder's responsibility with regard to child protection issues in that action is taken to ensure the best interests of the child are the main priority. This promotes children's feeling of being safe and secure. Risk assessments are diligently conducted on all aspects of the provision that impinge on children's safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals and has developed this aspect most effectively. Clear procedures are in place for discussing children's individual needs and levels of ability in order for planning to be pertinent for each child, enabling them to achieve within their own pace. The childminder is endeavouring to develop this process with others providing the EYFS and has had some success in this. She is keen to develop this aspect in order to further promote a consistent approach to each child's learning and development and to acknowledge that some children may react diversely with different providers and in differing situations. The childminder is very well-organised and all of the documentation which is required for the promotion of children's safety and welfare and the safe, efficient management of the provision is in place.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to equality and diversity and she promotes equal opportunities through meeting children’s individual needs very well. She makes sure that all children are able to safely access resources and activities and there are ample opportunities for children to play both indoors and outside as they wish. Children are encouraged to respect each other’s similarities and differences. They learn about a range of cultures, beliefs and festivals through planned activities and through using the childminder’s wide range of resources that reflect positive images of society and the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced in childcare and shows a clear commitment to improving her knowledge and understanding through ongoing training. The recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed. Although the childminder has started to assess the effectiveness of her provision and has identified some areas to make improvements to benefit the children, the self- assessment systems are not yet sufficiently robust to ensure priorities for making improvements in all areas are identified and implemented.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and at ease in the care of this dedicated and enthusiastic childminder. They relate very warmly to the childminder and her family, as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 feel secure and confident. Children make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development because the childminder responds to and reflects their individual needs in all aspects of her practice. Strong, positive and caring relationships are developed as the childminder carefully considers how she can provide activities and resources to engage each child’s interest and help them make good progress at their own pace. Planned learning activities are based on a thorough knowledge of what children already know and can do and frequent observations and assessments ensure the childminder knows what progress children are making and can plan the next steps in their learning. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

has developed detailed records of individual children’s achievements, which include pictures of them enjoying various indoor and outdoor activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a stimulating range of activities which help them become confident communicators and they are developing good mathematical vocabulary, counting skills and number recognition ability. The children are encouraged to develop their language skills through relaxed conversation with the childminder and their peers, as well as their love of story telling and singing songs. Young children are able to build up their vocabulary through everyday activities and routines, such as repeating words they hear and the childminder reinforces this by pointing to the relevant items and encouraging children to use the newly discovered words. They confidently use everyday play equipment such as the telephones to develop their speech as they ‘talk to their mummies’. Role play activities are used to encourage children’s imaginative play and to introduce them to writing. For example, children enjoy writing shopping lists to take with them when they visit the shops. Children

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and outcomes for children

name colours, shapes and count cars whilst walking to and from school and play with building blocks working out how many are left if one is taken away. Children’s creative development is encouraged and their individual creations are valued by the childminder. The children delight in displaying their artwork, such as spooky Halloween houses, Christmas decorations, Rudolph flower pots and paintings, in the childminder's home. Programmable toys are used to promote learning and develop skills in relation to information technology. Children’s curiosity is captivated as they operate the activity toys by pressing buttons or twisting knobs to find out how things work. Problem solving skills are enhanced through the children piecing together jigsaw puzzles or working out how to use construction and craft materials. The children use gardening tools as they prepare planters to grow cucumbers, tomatoes and flowers. Children’s awareness of the world around

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and outcomes for children

them and the wider society is encouraged through a range of activities and outings within the local community to places such as the seaside, parent and toddler groups, the zoo and the library. They visit play centres and parks, where they are able to run around and test out their physical skills using climbing apparatus, slides and swings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder places a strong emphasis on nurturing children's social skills and as a result they enjoy good, friendly relationships with each other. They also have regular opportunities to develop their social skills through attending local groups, where they meet and play with other children. Good behaviour is encouraged through high levels of praise and the high expectations of the childminder, with clear guidance given about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The childminder is an excellent role model, who teaches the children about kindness, consideration and respect through the positive example she sets. Consequently, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children are very well-behaved and polite.

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and outcomes for children

Good measures are in place to promote children’s health and well-being as they are encouraged to eat nutritious meals and snacks, access drinks independently and adopt very good personal hygiene routines. Children are actively encouraged to develop an understanding of how to stay physically fit and safe. For example, they are taught about the importance of healthy exercise, how to evacuate the home safely in the event of an emergency and wear fluorescent tabards to enable other road users to see them. 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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