Smith, Amanda Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY333102 Inspection date 08/12/2009 Inspector Ann Coggin

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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 July 2006. She lives with her husband and seven-year-old daughter in the Bishop Cuthbert area of Hartlepool. The whole ground floor and the two back bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside 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 at any one time, and is currently minding five children in the early years age group. She also offers care to children before and after school. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes children to, and collects children from, the local nursery and primary school. She attends local toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Care, Learning and Development 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and secure in the busy atmosphere as their individual needs are met within the safe environment. A combination of home-based activities and outings within the local community offers children a wide range of experiences, which promotes their learning and development. Children's welfare is effectively promoted in order for their safety and well-being to be fully supported. Good liaising with parents ensures that the childminder knows the children very well, which enables their individual needs to be successfully met. Most of the required records are in place. The childminder self-evaluates her practice and is committed to improving the service she offers.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems to share relevant information with other providers  further develop the use of observations to plan effectively for the next steps in children's learning  develop the complaints policy to include the address of Ofsted.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well-organised in her approach to childminding practice. She has developed a range of policies and procedures, and shares these with parents to ensure that the needs of all children are met. The childminder is familiar This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the local authority's safeguarding procedures and continues to keep her knowledge of child protection issues up-to-date. She has a written statement, which is shared with parents and includes the procedure to be followed should an allegation be made against her or a family member. Comprehensive risk assessments which clearly identify potential hazards within the home and on outings are completed. Suitable checks have be completed on all adults living on the premises.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and attends childcare workshops to update her knowledge and to improve her practice. For example, she has recently completed first aid, healthy foods and special diets, and various Early Years Foundation Stage workshops. She has begun to evaluate the effectiveness of her provision and is clear in her ideas for further improvement. The recommendations from her previous inspection have been satisfactorily addressed, resulting in children being aware of how to evacuate the premises in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home and daily routine very well to provide children with effective learning opportunities in a secure and safe environment. The childminder has provided the children with a wide selection of good-quality toys and resources, which they can easily access for themselves. Children enjoy what is readily available to play with and can sit in comfortable surroundings during this time. Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder has established with parents. Information is shared on a regular basis through discussion and with the use of individual observation sheets, which record observations and photographs of the children's progress. Parents state they are happy with the service provided. Parents receive a copy of the childminder's complaints procedure; however, this does not contain the address for Ofsted. Links are currently being developed with other professionals.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a well-resourced, welcoming environment, where they confidently choose equipment and initiate their own play. They are very happy and settled in the care of the childminder, who organises her home effectively to facilitate children's play. She plans activities to cover all areas of learning and provides interesting resources for the children. The childminder takes the children to places of interest on a regular basis. They enjoy learning about the world around them while out walking to the local park, where they enjoy feeding the ducks, paddling in the pond, and running through leaves which have fallen from the trees. Children have opportunities to socialise with others while attending various toddler groups, soft play areas and sing and sign sessions. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has made a good start in making regular observations and assessments of children's

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and outcomes for children

development. However, these observations are not always used to plan for the next steps in each child's development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a good balance of learning experiences for children. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is caring and affectionate towards the children and shows a genuine interest in their feelings and ideas. She interacts well with them and involves herself in their activities in order to support their play. They thoroughly enjoy reading books, especially one about fairies, where they are encouraged by the childminder to find the different coloured fairies and promote their early counting skills by counting the toadstools. They happily sing rhymes, such as 'Humpty Dumpty', 'Incy Wincy Spider' and 'Baa Baa Black Sheep'. They mark make, paint, and bake cakes. Children behave very well, as the childminder acts as a good role model and uses positive behaviour management strategies if their behaviour is inappropriate. She raises their self-esteem with lots of praise and encouragement and, as a result,

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and outcomes for children

children feel valued. For example, they are praised for sharing the toys and helping each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is supported by a balanced diet provided by the childminder. Wholesome snacks and light meals encourage children to eat fresh vegetables and fruit. Children are encouraged to follow appropriate hand washing routines through the childminder's clear example of how to prevent the spread of infection. This includes the provision of individual towels for the children, which are changed daily. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they discuss road safety during walks, talk about 'stranger danger' and staying close to the childminder, and take part in regular emergency evacuation drills. 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 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 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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