Blackburn, Deborah Ellen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398968 Inspection date 08/02/2010 Inspector Leoarna Mathias

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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 was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in Ivybridge, Devon. Children will be cared for mainly on the ground floor of the childminder's house, which consists of a lounge/dining room, kitchen, toilet and enclosed rear garden. Upstairs there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. There is one step at the front of the house but access could be possible through the back door. The family have a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is also registered to provide overnight care. She has eleven children on roll, including two in the early years age group, who are cared for at varying times across the week. She is a member of the local childminding network, has previously volunteered in a pre-school, and is a Beaver leader.

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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 has created a safe and inviting environment for children’s care and play. She is well organised, with a professional approach, having produced a range of suitable documentary systems that properly underpin her work. Children enjoy a pleasing range of activities across the week which includes regular use of the local outdoor environment and other facilities nearby. Since beginning minding she has worked hard to get to know, and meet, the needs of the individual children in her care, while providing with them with an engaging range of resources and plentiful support for their play.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend current self evaluation systems to include all aspects of the childminding provision

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sensible and thorough approach to managing the welfare of children in her care. Risk assessment systems are thorough and subject to regular review, and children are encouraged to develop an awareness of their own safety, for example, by staying close by when walking to and from school. Similarly, she has a comprehensive child protection policy, and having completed further training in this area, is confident of the action she should take should she have concerns about any child in her care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a clear ambition to offer individually tailored programmes of support to each child she is caring for. She has begun to evaluate her practice in terms of the delivery of activities that promote children’s earning, but acknowledges that she is yet to extend this self-evaluation to all areas of her

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the early years provision

practice. She is however, currently undergoing formal qualification training and has plans to further progress beyond the end of her current course. As a result, her capacity to reflect on her own practice is growing readily. The childminder gives children access to a broad range of resources, makes good use of the local environment, and has already devised a strong approach to supporting children with any challenges they may face in settling into the routine of being in her care.

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the early years provision

Parents give positive feedback about the quality of care the childminder provides. They also enjoy access to good amounts of information about her practice at the beginning of their contract, as well as receiving daily verbal and written feedback about their child’s day. She liaises with the local school and pre-school to ensure a flow of information between home and the setting, and is aware of the sources of outside agency support open to her should she care for a child with additional needs. As well as making the most of training opportunities, the childminder is forging relationships with the local childminding network in order to increase her self-evaluation skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s individual routines are quickly learnt by the childminder, and so, for example, very young children's sleep and quiet time needs are property built into the day. Children access a substantial range of toys and resources, all of which are both pleasingly accessible and rotated to sustain children’s interest. Children enjoy making three dimensional Christmas trees or creating 'fireworks' out of play dough, pipe cleaners and other craft materials. They take part in nature walks where they can learn the names of different wild flowers. They enhance their physical skills visiting the local soft play session on a regular basis, and using large play equipment in the garden. They enjoy using books and imagining stories, using small world toys. They cook, baking cakes and muffins, and have opportunities to explore texture through messy play activities. They play games and complete puzzles. Throughout their time in attendance they are ably supported by the

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and outcomes for children

childminder who gives children her full focus. They access a wider range of children and other appropriate adults attending the local childminding network meetings. As a result, children enjoy good support for their development in all areas of learning. There is a clear code of behaviour for children to follow while in the care of the childminder, and her calm manner means that children are generally giving of their best, with the childminder working closely with parents to ensure consistency between home and the setting.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has already devised a substantial system for assessing the progress each child in her care is making. She uses this information to plan the next steps in children's learning, and through the use of regularly updated individual play plans, she is able to implement a programme of activities that gives This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each child an opportunity to thrive. She has a good understanding of how to identify any emerging additional needs, and through her well constructed equal opportunities policy, and through the provision of resources that reflect difference and diversity in our society, is able to ensure that her approach is fully inclusive.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthful snacks while attending, and are supported to ensure they drink sufficiently. Children with special dietary requirements have their needs fully understood and supported. The childminder has devised robust documentation systems that ensure that accidents, medicines and other medical issues are clearly recorded and managed, while at all times remaining respectful of each families' right to confidentiality. 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 2 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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