Keen Rachel Joan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY258351 Inspection date 16/11/2009 Inspector Hazel Christine White

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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 2003. She lives with her partner in a residential area of Blaby in Leicestershire. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom and front bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of six children under eight and is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll, two of whom are within the early years age range.

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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 have developed a good rapport with the childminder and are happy and settled in her care. She has a sound awareness and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and provides children with a range of stimulating activities and experiences that help them to make steady progress in their learning and development. The childminder has good relationships with parents which means that she can suitably meet each child's individual needs. Partnerships with other settings delivering EYFS are in the early stages of being developed. Most required documentation is in place and the childminder demonstrates some capacity for continuous improvement, although there are no systems currently in place to evaluate her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly, at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 30/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 lead and encourage a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify strengths and areas for improvement  develop further partnerships with other settings delivering the EYFS. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children in her care. This includes her duty to record and report any concerns and to share her child protection policy with parents on admission to the setting. Effective vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children. The childminder carries out daily visual checks of the areas children use, however, a thorough risk assessment has not been conducted or recorded to ensure that all potential hazards have been minimised. Therefore, children's safety may be compromised. The childminder has a system for ensuring that ratios are maintained and children are appropriately supervised throughout the day.

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the early years provision

The childminder has strong relationships with parents. She provides them with valuable verbal information about her provision to ensure that children's changing needs are met. Parents receive a range of policies and procedures which support her practice and all necessary parental consents are in place, consequently, children are cared for according to their parents’ wishes. Parents are kept up-to- date with their child's progress as the childminder shares individual learning folders which contain both photographic and written evidence of their involvement in various activities. The childminder is in the early stages of developing partnerships with other settings delivering the EYFS in order to provide continuity of care and promote positive outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended some short courses since her last inspection and has satisfactorily addressed all of the previous recommendations. She is enthusiastic about what she does and shows a sound commitment to improving the service that she offers to children and their families. However, systems for reflective practice are still in their infancy and do not effectively identify strengths and priorities for improvement or consider the views of others, for example, parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and how children learn through play. As a result, children make steady progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has implemented a development book for each child and an observation and assessment system. Children's starting points in their learning and development are established on admission and information gained through observations is effectively used to plan for the child's next steps. Children have access to a range of first hand learning opportunities. For example, they enjoy being creative and make pictures using pipe cleaners, sequins, glitter and paint. They decorate cakes and biscuits and mould and make models from play dough.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled and enjoy warm relationships with the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Planning is informal and children enjoy a mix of planned and spontaneous activities both indoors and outside. They confidently access programmable toys, talk about size, shape and colour. Communication, language and literacy skills are well supported as children enjoy looking at books with the childminder and choose their own from the library. They learn how to mix different colours of paint together to make another colour and think 'this is magic'. Children enjoy plenty of fresh air and their learning and enjoyment is further enhanced from visits and outings. For example, they develop balance and coordination as they use climbing equipment in the park and discover rabbit holes and collect conkers and leaves.

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and outcomes for children

All children are valued and treated with equal concern. Any specific requirements are shared and met sensitively in discussion with parents. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world through some planned activities, discussion with the childminder and through access to a suitable range of resources that are representative of diversity. For example, books portray positive images of people in society and they learn that Diwali is a festival of light. Children behave in a manner that is supportive of their learning and develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder gives regular praise, encouragement and support.

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and outcomes for children

Familiar, well established daily routines ensure that children begin to develop good hygiene practices, they are reminded to wash their hands before meals and snacks and after messy play. Drinks are readily available throughout the day. Children receive healthy snacks which take full account of any dietary needs and parental preferences. Some children have packed lunches which their parents provide. These are appropriately stored until required. Children sit at a table to eat their meals and good manners are encouraged. They enjoy this social time together and happily chat about the activities they have participated in during the morning. Children are developing an understanding of how to stay safe. For example they know not to climb on furniture because they could fall. They practise the evacuation procedure so that they are familiar with what to do in an emergency. Whilst out and about in the community children learn how to walk safely on the

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and outcomes for children

pavement and find safe places to cross the road. 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 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 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability of premises and equipment) 30/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability of premises and equipment). 30/11/2009

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