McDouall, Rhoda Mary

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 116474 Inspection date 04/03/2010 Inspector Keriann Belcher

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and two children in Penn, in the County of Buckinghamshire.

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Description of the childminding

Minded Children have access to the ground floor of the home with sleeping facilities on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for five children in the early year's age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder keeps two cats, a guinea pig and a rabbit as family pets.

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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 is enthusiastic about her work and consequently offers a warm, welcoming and inclusive service. Children are treated with respect and their individual needs are known and met. They access a good range of resources and activities which help to promote their learning. The childminder has positive relationships with parents and shares information regularly to keep them well informed about their child's progress. The childminder has taken steps to self evaluate her practices and demonstrates she has the capacity to maintain continuous improvements in the service she provides. She is very keen to access training to continue to provide a good service to children and their families.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the planning of the garden and outdoor activties to ensure they reflect the six areas of learning

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the early years provision

Children are well protected by the childminder's conscientious approach to safeguarding. The childminder's good knowledge of safeguarding children, means she knows what to do if she has concerns about child protection and is familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments which successfully minimise children’s risk of accidental injury both indoors and on outings. The childminder is proactive in ensuring children are learning how to keep themselves safe, for example, they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning how to safely cross the local roads and learn how to safely evacuate the building.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of self-evaluating her practices and is able to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. She is a member of Buckinghamshire childminding 'Buddy scheme' and receives regular support to help develop her skills. The childminder has a clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children learn.

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the early years provision

The childminder's good organisational skills ensure that all the required documents are maintained for the safe and efficient running of the service and to promote the welfare of children in her care. The childminder organises the environment to allow children to explore freely. Toys and resources are in boxes on the floor assisting children to make informed choices as they play. Children have access to a range of resources that reflect positive images of the local and wider world. They are beginning to learn about different cultures and lifestyles such as making lanterns and rice pictures to acknowledge Chinese New year.

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the early years provision

The childminder has formed strong links with any others who are involved in the children's care. Parents are kept well informed about their child's day through the use of a daily diary and verbally.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a loving and caring environment in which they feel secure to investigate their surroundings and make good progress in their development. The childminder has built up good relationships with the children who are very settled and approach her for comfort and reassurance throughout the day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a good understanding of the learning and development requirements and has sound planning methods in place to support children's learning. She has developed effective methods for observing and assessing children's progress indoors. Although, the garden and outdoor activities provides a rich learning environment, the planning and observation are not sufficiently linked to the six areas of learning to ensure children progress in all aspects of their development.

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and outcomes for children

She has a positive and caring approach towards the children, and consistently dedicates her time to joining in their play, talking to the children to develop their language and communication or singing favourite songs such as 'Row, Row Your Boat'. Children really enjoy the play opportunities they have with the childminder. She plans and provides stimulating and fun activities to keep children interested and excited to learn such as going for a walk wearing their Wellington boots and splashing in the puddles after it has rained. Children's understanding of the world is further developed as they grow hyacinths or wait with excitement as the swede, carrots and turnips' begin to sprout in the water garden. Children develop their fine manipulative skills when doing creative activities such as rolling marbles in paint or using glue, glitter or sequins on paper to make attractive patterns and pictures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Some of the children's art work is kept as valuable records of their progress and is collated together with photographs of different activities or milestones the child has reached, in scrapbooks for the parents. Young children are learning about shape and space as they fit pieces into a shape sorter and smile gleefully when they are successful.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health and physical development is encouraged through regular outings in the community. This includes trips to the local duck pond, garden centre or Windsor Castle. In addition, routines such as hand washing and removing shoes in the home help to protect children from unnecessary illness. Children are encouraged to drink plenty of water throughout the day so they do not become dehydrated. There are opportunities for children either to sleep or rest within their individual routines such as sleeping in their own buggy or cuddling up on the sofa with the childminder to be read a story.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an understanding of keeping safe themselves, for example, as they learn about stranger danger. When the childminder is using her car she ensures children are safely harnessed into age appropriate car seats. 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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