Ashton, Kate Mary

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY382297 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Christine Myerscough

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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 2008. She lives with her partner and son aged three years old. They live in a house in Stockport. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet 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, on the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. There is currently one child on roll aged 14 months old.

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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 warmly welcomed and are cared for in a bright and well-maintained home. The childminder respects the uniqueness of each child and shows a commitment to ensuring individual needs are met, by developing good working relationships with parents to promote security in children's lives. Most aspects of children's welfare and learning are promoted successfully, ensuring that children are safe and make good progress in their learning; however, a legal aspect of a welfare requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is not being met. The childminder is aware that her system for self-evaluation is an area for development and areas for improvement centre on further promoting safety practices with children, updating documentation and inviting parents to contribute to the ongoing observations of their children's learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure steps are taken to promote the welfare of children by requesting written permission from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 02/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 promote children's understanding of safety procedures by carrying out regular evacuation drills with children  build on existing good partnership working by inviting parents to contribute to the ongoing observations of their children's learning to fully support and inform planning for the next stages in children's development  continue to develop systems for self-evaluation to identify strengths and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas for improvement to further raise the quality of care and education.

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the early years provision

Children's safety is promoted as adults in the childminder's household have undergone relevant checks with Ofsted to ensure their suitability. Regular risk assessments are carried out and sensible safety measures minimise potential hazards to avoid accidental injury to children. The childminder has a good awareness of the indicators of child abuse and of the safeguarding procedures to follow in the event of identifying a child protection concern. A child protection policy is shared and signed by parents so they have a clear understanding of her role. Records are well organised in clearly identifiable files. Most of the required documentation is in order; however, written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not in place. This is a breach in a welfare requirement and compromises children's health. Children benefit from a good amount of indoor and outdoor space and move around safely. They have

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the early years provision

access to a good range of quality toys and equipment and gain pleasure from selecting their favourite things from low-level containers and baskets. This encourages their free choice and independence. The childminder is committed to promoting equality and anti-discriminatory practice with children in her care and has a good selection of resources, which reflect positive images of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment towards her ongoing professional development and the continual improvement of her childminding practice. Since registration, she has attended additional courses, such as fire safety awareness to further develop her knowledge and skills. Through reflecting and self-evaluating her practice, she is beginning to identify most of her strengths and has plans in place for further improvement. However, self-evaluation is not yet fully robust to identify gaps in her provision, such as an omission in documentation.

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the early years provision

An open and friendly approach with parents contributes to establishing a highly effective working partnership. Time is spent chatting together and a daily diary is shared, which keeps parents well informed about their child's day and successfully promotes consistency of care. Parents' comments about the childminder are very positive and they value her flexible approach. The childminder has devised a good range of clearly written policies and procedures, which are shared with parents. However, systems are not yet in place to invite parents to share what they know about their children's ongoing learning to fully support and inform the childminder in planning for children's next steps in their development. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the importance of working in partnership with other providers of the EYFS to help promote continuity of care and education for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy and secure in the childminder's care. They feel very well supported because the childminder devotes her attention to them and the day centres upon their needs. The childminder adopts a positive approach and cheerful manner, which encourages children to be good humoured and self-assured. The sharing of experiences together contributes strongly to children feeing totally at ease in their surroundings and builds their confidence and trust. Children develop a positive disposition to learning as the childminder plays closely with them and organises stimulating activities which offer a good level of challenge. By undertaking and recording daily observations of children's learning and keeping photographic evidence of their achievements, the childminder is able to effectively plan activities to support children's development to ensure they reach their potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a good time and laugh and giggle. They become sociable and have fun as they play peek-a-boo games. As the childminder engages them in play, they become active learners and take great interest in everything around them. Playing with sand and water provides good opportunities to promote their sensory development. Children freely climb on the childminder's knee for a hug and cuddle up close to share stories. Their communication skills are well supported through good quality interactions. As a result, young children follow instructions well and confidently communicate through a range of gestures, facial expressions and babbles. They love to listen to nursery rhymes and develop particular favourites, such as 'Row your boat'. Children behave well and develop a positive self-esteem as they receive plenty of praise from the childminder. They smile with delight when the childminder tells them how clever they are and celebrate their own efforts and

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and outcomes for children

success with spontaneous claps. A good range of resources are available to promote children's mathematical awareness. Children make good attempts with shape sorters and puzzles. They repeatedly press buttons on pop-up toys and enjoy trying to find toy animals, which are hidden in shredded paper.

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and outcomes for children

By celebrating cultural festivals, children gain an appreciation of the cultures and beliefs of others. For example, during Divali, children create glitter pictures to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights. Regular planned trips to places of interest, such as the farm and parks, widen children's horizons and they enjoy feeding the ducks. Collecting foliage and exploring paint and glue, enables children to represent their feelings and ideas. Fascination is shown as children press buttons on electronic toys and listen to their sounds. Good emphasis is placed on outdoor play. Children are taken out in all weathers and wear waterproof suits to protect them from the elements. They have good access to the childminder's garden where there is a varied range of equipment to promote their physical skills. Toddlers learn to push themselves forward on wheeled vehicles and eagerly crawl through a play tunnel. Music captivates children's interests and they sway their

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and outcomes for children

body from side to side. Eagerness is shown as children explore musical instruments by playing on the xylophone and banging a drum.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well nourished. The childminder uses home grown vegetables from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her garden to prepare nutritious meals and children eagerly try new tastes. Fresh drinking water is accessible to children at all times in their cups to keep them well refreshed. Through established daily routines, children learn to follow appropriate hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, which minimises the risk of cross infection. The childminder ensures children are well supervised and always in her sight or hearing to keep them free from harm. However, the childminder has not yet practised an evacuation drill to enable all children to become familiar with safe practices. 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 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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