Kirk, Joanne Marie

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396538 Inspection date 05/02/2010 Inspector Esther Darling

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 registered in 2009. She lives with her son in Kimberley area of Nottinghamshire. Access to the home is even, with a small step up to the front door and three steps down onto the lawn area of the garden. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding with toilet facilities in this area. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age range.

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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

The childminder provides a safe, welcoming and stimulating home environment for children. She has a very good knowledge of each child as an individual and uses this information to ensure their learning and welfare needs are fully met. Planned activities and interesting free play opportunities help all children to make good progress in their learning. Good relationships with parents and others providing for the children ensure children receive continuity in their care. The childminder evaluates her practice most effectively, and demonstrates a strong capacity for ongoing improvement in all aspects.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on resources to promote positive attitudes to diversity and difference within all children to help them to continue to learn to value different aspects of their own and other peoples lives  ensure that the record of the risk assessment clearly states when it was carried out and improve the system for obtaining information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well-organised and places high priority on promoting children's health and safety. She has a very good understanding of her responsibilities towards protecting children from abuse and neglect and knows the appropriate action to take if she has any concerns. Risk assessments, although not dated, effectively reduce hazards in all environments that children use. The childminder supervises the children carefully at all times. Children are cared for in a very safe and child focussed environment where they have access to a good range of high quality toys and equipment, which are age appropriate. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder accurately maintains the vast majority of the necessary documentation, and shares a wide range of policies and procedures with parents. Her documentation is readily available in the event of an emergency. The

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the early years provision

childminder is in the early stages of establishing her business and is proactive in seeking ways to constantly improve her practice. She has completed all of the required initial training and has attended several relevant short courses. She has relevant plans for future development, regarding acquiring resources depicting positive images of the wider society. The childminder has made numerous changes since caring for children, which have had a positive impact on their well-being and development.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the use of all of the ground floor, which enables young children to rest undisturbed and for all children to have plenty of space to move around and play freely. The childminder takes a skilled account of each child's interests and abilities, adapting activities to ensure all are included. She develops very good relationships with parents, ensuring they are well-informed about business arrangements before children start. Through effective sharing of information the childminder gains a clear understanding of children's individual needs and this enables her to promote their care. The childminder provides parents with comprehensive information about their child's developmental stage, thus fully realising children's potential. Attempts have been made by the childminder to share information with other providers, such as the local school, in the hope of working collaboratively to support the learning of children whose care

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They readily involve themselves in purposeful play because the childminder provides a good range of toys and activities that immediately interest them and are well-matched to their interests and abilities. The childminder involves herself fully in what the children do and she draws out their learning by talking to them about what they are doing and encouraging them to solve problems for themselves. Young children fully enjoy exploring materials, such as play dough and using tools, such as scissors. They enjoy activities, such as painting and feeding the doll, and these promote their personal social and emotional development, and creative and physical development. Children enthusiastically sing 'twinkle twinkle' with the childminders support and hold up their stars, thus prompting early language and literacy skills. The childminder plans for the children so that they benefit from a broad range of

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and outcomes for children

experiences based on topics and matched with their interests. Information and communication technology is explored when children print off a colour activity they have engaged in on the laptop. The childminder regularly observes the children and keeps a record of this, and evidences their progression towards the early learning goals. She is beginning to identify a few next steps in learning for each child, and these are taken into account within her planning in order to maximise their learning and development. Written information, regular discussion and photographs, provide a valuable record of what children do, which is shared with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder effectively reduces the spread of infection by maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, and children readily wash their hands after eating or using the potty. They experience a variety of foods, some of which are nutritious,

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and outcomes for children

such as fresh fruit for snack. Children have good opportunities to be active, dancing indoors and playing on a variety of equipment in the garden which is suitable for use in all weathers. They help to maintain their own safety by sitting carefully on small chairs successfully and negotiating around the childminder's home. They play very well alongside each other and are tolerant. The childminder reinforces children's good behaviour with praise, so that children recognise when they have done well. Children learn about some different beliefs when the childminder promotes this via activities, such as lantern making as an introduction to the meaning of Diwali. 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 3 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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