Hackett, Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY288386 Inspection date 19/01/2010 Inspector Linda Phillips

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2004 and lives with her husband and children, aged eight, 10, 14, and 15 in the west of Kingston upon Hull. The ground floor of the home is used for childminding, including toilet facilities. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children, including three in the early years age group. There are currently seven children on roll, six are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 enjoy a wide range of activities and opportunities within a caring and inclusive environment. The childminder is becoming confident in ensuring the Early Years Foundation Stage framework is delivered, and although she talks to parents regarding children's starting points to ensure they make progress in their learning and development, these are not recorded. Partnerships with parents are positive and numerous systems are in place for keeping them informed of all issues relating to their children's care. The childminder has developed a system for self-evaluating her practices, and from this she confidently identifies her strengths and areas for development to further enhance outcomes for children. She has addressed the one recommendation from her registration inspection.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop systems for identifying children's starting points more effectively, and tailor them to their individual needs  ensure risk assessments cover anything with which a child may come into contact, also all outings  ensure regular evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in close partnerships with parents. Good systems are in place for the sharing of information, for example, she talks with them daily, sends texts and photographs using her mobile phone, and sends out annual questionnaires seeking their views. With regard to working in partnership with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, although the childminder knows staff at the local pre-school no reference is made in the children's records to evidence the sharing of any learning and development opportunities.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly understands her role in safeguarding children and updated her knowledge last year through attending a training course. She is very familiar with procedures for reporting concerns, demonstrating she is aware of possible sign and symptoms of abuse, and has a written policy which she shares with parents. Children are closely supervised to ensure their safety, for example, she sits on the floor with less mobile children to play with them and ensures they sit correctly at the low-level table when eating their lunch. For reasons of confidentiality children have individual accident and medication records stored within their files with only their parents having access to them. The childminder's first aid certificate is valid until the end of the year and she takes appropriate actions when incidents occur. Prior written consents from parents are in place regarding the administering of any medications or ointments, as well as daily

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the early years provision

records of treatments being carried out, and this safeguards children further. Although some risk assessments have been carried out and recorded in writing not all things with which a child may come into contact, or all outings have been covered.

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the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to become independent and confident. She ensures they are cared for in a welcoming and homely environment where there is a balance of both free play and adult-led activities and opportunities. Children also benefit from opportunities out of the home as they are taken to a parent and toddler group which the childminder runs three times a week. As the childminder spends a good deal of time out of the home, she respects children's individual choices and wishes of what to do when at home. Age-appropriate toys and play resources are easily accessible to children of all ages and are rotated on a regular basis with others which are stored on the upper floor of the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has introduced a system for self-evaluating her setting and confidently speaks of her aims for the future. She has identified a small number of areas for improvement to enhance the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is continuing to develop her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She supports all children in helping them to make progress in their learning and development. Although initial starting points of children's capabilities are talked through with parents these are not recorded. There are, however, clear systems in place for recording observations and for identifying their next steps of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about healthy lifestyles. They have regular opportunities to access fresh air and exercise through playing in the garden, and are taken to local parks to play on larger pieces of equipment and for more robust play. Children also This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 benefit from using different resources and equipment at the toddler group they attend. Children's dietary information is sought from parents who supply healthy packed lunches, although the childminder provides snacks including, for example, toast and fresh fruit. Special diets are respected, for example, children who have intolerances to dairy produce. Children have easy access to drinks of water and juice which is within their reach to promote independence, and for babies the childminder knows their routines regarding food and drink and acts accordingly.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning the importance of keeping themselves safe. They are reminded to sit correctly on small chairs at the low-level table at meal times to prevent accidents, and are encouraged to place toys on the floor carefully rather than risking them being dropped and harming others. The childminder carries out fire evacuation practices, although no records are maintained of this. She does however have written emergency evacuation procedures which are shared with parents. The childminder teaches children right from wrong and has clear boundaries regarding behaviour. She uses age-appropriate strategies, for example, distraction for younger children and "time out" for older ones. Children are excitedly praised by her for positive actions such as successfully building towers with blocks using their fine motor skills, and for placing pieces into a shape sorter correctly. Young children clearly enjoy playing with age-appropriate pop up toys

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and outcomes for children

and musical items and are learning which buttons activate what, for example, a motor vehicle with traffic lights which plays a road safety reminder song. Children also enjoy looking at books and are learning to turn the pages over correctly.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about the wider world. Activities and opportunities arise for them to learn about diversity through the childminder organising and recognising celebrations and festivals, and photographs taken evidence this. 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 2

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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 3 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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