Barbeary, Nicola Andrea

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279122 Inspection date 15/01/2010 Inspector Susan Esther Harvey

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and one child aged 11, and two grown-up children, in Lyneham, Wiltshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The family have three guinea pigs and one rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding three children in this age group, some in part-time places. She also cares for children aged over five.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder can collect children from the local school and pre-school and regularly goes to soft play activities and childminding meetings.

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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 make good progress in all six areas of learning and their individual needs are successfully met. The childminder is inclusive in her practice and gives children the opportunity to learn through play. Partnership with parents and other settings to which the children attend are well organised. This contributes effectively to their well-being and development. Children's safety is notably improved by the childminder's clear understanding of their welfare needs. The childminder has an effective system in place to reflect on her practice and is committed to on-going training which has an impact on learning outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 include children in the self-evaluation of the setting

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the early years provision

The childminder is well aware of her responsibility to safeguard children. She is proactive in up-dating her knowledge relating to the latest legislation by accessing available courses. There is an effective system in place to protect children from people who are not vetted in the home and on outings. This includes the use of a visitors book to record people who come to the house such as trades people and friends. Safety is important to the childminder who has identified areas of risk while children are in the home and off the premises. This includes florescent safety jackets and wrist bands for easy identification when on outings. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has an effective system in place for reviewing her practice. This includes regular questionnaires which take into account the views of parents, but does not include the children's comments on the service the childminder provides.

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the early years provision

The childminder is constantly improving her practice by attending courses, not least in recently gaining an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education as well as short courses such as fire safety and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training. The childminder attends meetings where she meets with other childminders and subscribes to childcare publications so that she can keep herself informed of changes. The childminder has a good network of communication in order to work with other settings to which children belong. This shared information has an impact on children's all-round care and is beneficial to their learning. There is a close connection between parents and the childminder. Each parent is in receipt of their own file detailing policies and procedures. Verbal information shared at the end of the day keeps parents fully up-to-date with their children's time spent in the care of the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder successfully implements the EYFS framework which is evidenced in the detailed recording of children's observations and assessments. These also identify the next stage of the children's learning and development. For example, the childminder identified that children needed more practice in knowing their colours. Brightly coloured shaped plastic camels encourage children to learn about sorting into the same colour and linking into shapes. The childminder provides an interesting musical game which gives instructions for children to stand on a certain shape or colour. Through the introduction of interesting resources children are beginning to identify primary colours in a fun way. Parents have the chance to look at their children's progress books in which a range of photographs supports an activity linking in with children's achievements. Equality and diversity are well promoted through the good quality range of books and resources. This includes

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the early years provision

stories and factual books on children's individuality, as well as resources covering feelings and emotions.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from well-established personal daily routines. This includes regular washing of hands after using the bathroom, playing in the garden or before eating meals. Children are provided with individual towels for their use. A pictorial sequence to remind children how to wash their hands is placed in a prominent position in the bathroom and kitchen. As a result, children are learning through example the need to prevent the spread of infection and the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene. Parents provide children with a packed lunch box, however, the childminder provides healthy snacks of fruit, salad and cheese. Children have regular access to drinking water which is placed in a prominent position for them to reach easily when they need it. Children are safe in the care of the childminder. They take part in regular emergency evacuation routines and regularly tidy away toys after use.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very content in the childminder's care. They actively contribute to their learning and enjoy finger painting and choosing from a good selection of toys This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 available to them. Children choose to go out and play in the snow, making snowballs and running around in the fresh air. They delight when running with the pet rabbit hopping around in the garden. They are fascinated at the sight of the frozen plastic animals in a water tray and eagerly bounce on a small trampoline to keep warm. As a result, children are having a range of experiences which contribute to their learning. Their physical development is further enhanced by regularly attending soft play centres with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do and helping themselves to toys and resources stored at a convenient height. Children are well behaved and happily play on their own or in the company of the childminder. She is patient and kind and promotes a positive and consistent approach to managing behaviour. Children take part in making the 'golden rules' which gives them a sense of ownership and helps towards working together as a team. Children have the chance to learn about the wider world as they celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year, they also have fun days celebrating Smile Week, where they are encouraged to be happy and smile. Children visit places of interest such as the local library and Savernake forest where they can run amongst the trees. They learn skills for the future by cooking and decorating cakes and by using a laptop and other mechanical toys. Overall, children in the care of the childminder enjoy

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and outcomes for children

their time and learn basic skills through play. 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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