Scott, Sarah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339243 Inspection date 30/11/2009 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two young children at Wash Common, near Newbury in Berkshire. The whole of the childminder’s home can be used for childminding; there is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight; of these one may be in the early years age range. The childminder may also provide overnight care for two children under the age of eight. Currently there are nine children on roll, three of these are in the early years age range, they all attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder welcomes children who speak English as an additional language and those that may have special educational needs. 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 are very settled, happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. She provides a welcoming, inclusive early years provision where each child is valued as a respected individual. The childminder knows the children well; she works closely with parents to meet the children's individual welfare and learning needs. Children are progressing well because they are offered a varied programme of age appropriate practical activities that follow their interests and help to support their development. The childminder continually reviews and assesses the provision she offers to ensure she is able to identify the strengths of the setting and any areas for improvement, therefore improving the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 minimise the risk of cross infecton by ensuring children do not share towels when hand washing and drying.

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the early years provision

The very efficient management of the necessary records, policies and procedures ensure that the children are well safeguarded, their needs are met, and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is very well implemented. The childminder has attended recent child protection training and is very confident in the procedures she would follow if she has any child protection concerns. Both the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and her husband have undergone appropriate vetting procedures; she ensures that any unvetted adults do not have unsupervised access to the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a well-qualified, experienced and capable early years practitioner. She undertakes regular targeted training in order to enhance her professional knowledge. The childminder is very well organised; she has created a very welcoming and stimulating environment for young children. Posters and displays decorate the home, in some rooms there are child friendly, attractive murals painted onto the walls. An extensive range of age-appropriate toys is easily available. These are very well stored in clearly labelled baskets so that all of the children can choose what they wish to play with and can mostly access the toys for themselves, this encourages their independence. The childminder has effectively risk assessed her home and garden, and identified and minimised any potential hazards to the children. For example, she uses a safety gate to prevent children's access to the kitchen areas. She ensures that the premises are always kept safe

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the early years provision

All children are welcomed and valued. The childminder aims to promote an inclusive practice where all children, whatever their backgrounds are helped to move forward and have their individual needs met. The childminder shares information with parents through daily diaries, emails, newsletters and discussion each day. This ensures they are kept very well informed of their children's activities and progress. They are provided with an excellent parents' pack and copies of all the policies and procedures that the childminder uses. Currently it is not necessary for the childminder to link with other providers but she plans to work with staff at the nursery that one child will attend. The childminder very effectively monitors and assesses the quality of the provision she offers. She meets with other childminders and exchanges ideas and information. She seeks the parents' and older children's views on her service and acts on their suggestions when possible.

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the early years provision

The childminder has met the recommendations set at her last inspection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and enjoy the varied activities that the childminder plans for them. For example, they enjoyed exploring some water, balls and sponges that the childminder put on an individual tray for each child to play with. The childminder understands the different aspects of the EYFS very well and ensures children have experiences in all areas of the early learning goals. The children's progress is extremely well recorded and monitored so that the childminder can easily identify where the children are in their learning and assess how she can help them to move forward using a planned next step for each child.

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and outcomes for children

The familiar daily routines that the childminder uses helps children to feel safe and comfortable. Children begin to learn about keeping safe in their daily activities, such as discussing road safety when out and about and learning why they practise the emergency evacuation procedures. The childminder's home is kept clean as she follows good hygiene routines, for example, when nappy changing. Children are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene practices such as washing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their hands before eating; but they share towels for hand drying which poses a risk of cross infection. The childminder provides children with healthy and nutritious snacks and makes sure they can access regular drinks. Parents usually provide the children with packed lunches. Children have good opportunities to play outside and take part in physical activities. Whenever possible they play in the garden or on the

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and outcomes for children

decking, and they often go for walks locally and visit the play park. They always walk to the nearby school.

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and outcomes for children

The children are contented and settled; they interact well with the childminder and her own young children. The childminder is helping children, in simple terms suitable for very young children, how to consider the needs of others. For example, they are encouraged to share the toys. The older children that the childminder looks after have written their own house rules. Through the range of activities offered and the well-organised environment children can easily explore and show an interest in their surroundings. The activities they take part in and the resources provided, include toys and books that are designed to help children to begin to learn their about their own environment and about the wider world. 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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