Farrell, Bernie Mary Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 111363 Inspection date 25/02/2010 Inspector Alison Large

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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 1993. She lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and their three older children in the Fareham area of Hampshire. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor with the exception of one downstairs bedroom and the kitchen; there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The ground floor is easily accessible to adults and children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time. When working jointly with her co-childminder they may care for a total of six children of whom all may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding five children in the early years age group all day. The childminder is able to walk or drive to the local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family have a dog. The childminder attends various groups on a regular basis. 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 enjoy their time in the care of the childminder who is experienced and loving. She has an inclusive approach and this means that children of all abilities take part in activities which she adapts to meet their individual stages of development. The childminder has excellent relationships with parents and, as a result, children are very happy, settled, safe and secure in a setting where the childminder meets their individual needs. The childminder is well organised, and has started to evaluate her provision to identify her strengths, and any areas to develop. The childminder has implemented the recommendations from her last inspection to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop systems of observation, assessment and planning to fully support children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are welcomed into a warm and caring environment. The childminder ensures that children are safeguarded and always supervised by herself or her husband. She and her husband share the responsibility of completing the contracts and children's details forms with parents and they record all children's times of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 arrival and departure. The childminder is clear about the action she would take if she had any concerns regarding the children in her care. She has the a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place and is developing a secure understanding and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder ensures children's health and safety as she has completed thorough risk assessments on the premises, equipment and for outings, and talks to children about keeping themselves safe.

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the early years provision

Children develop independence as they select their activities from a good range of resources both indoors and outside. Daily routines ensure that children have plenty of opportunities to play and learn indoors, outdoors and on a variety of outings. The childminder supports parents well as she provides flexible care arrangements; she keeps parents informed about routines and activities in children's daily diaries and she talks to them when they collect their children. Formal self-evaluation has been started, and the childminder is aware of her strengths and some of the areas she needs to develop. Parents are very happy with this provision and they report that the childminders are very caring and welcoming and that their children are cared for in a safe and happy environment, where they partake in a wide range of activities. The childminder keeps written records on children in the early years age group, and her knowledge of each child means that she is able to plan activities to

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the early years provision

meet children’s individual learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the childminder's and make progress in their learning and development. The childminder puts children's individual needs as a priority and they delight in the high levels of support and attention they receive from both the childminders who know each child very well. Children take part in a range of interesting activities, some of which are adult-led, for example, an art and craft activity or bubble play. At other times, children initiate their own play and learning as they make choices from the good range of easily accessible resources, which are suitable for all ages. Children enjoy playing with the role play activities, looking at books or painting. Older children can confidently request certain resources or activities and have a good knowledge of what is available to them each day.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is observing children’s progress, and has started the individual books and photographic records to share with parents and other settings children may attend. The childminder informally plans her day according to which children she is caring for, adapting activities to meet each child's needs whilst taking into account their age or stage of development. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn and the progress children are making, and there is some formal planning in place to clearly identify the next steps in individual children's learning to ensure that they are meeting their full potential. The childminder has identified her observation and planning as something she wants to develop further and has booked on training to help with this.

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and outcomes for children

Children play and learn in a safe and secure environment, where they learn about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 how to keep safe indoors and about road safety when out walking. Children develop a healthy lifestyle through daily physical exercise. They relish playing in the garden and the childminders have organised their home so that children can move between the garden and indoors on a free-flow basis. They particularly enjoyed blowing and making bubbles in the garden during the inspection and were well supported by the childminders. Children behave well and form positive relationships with the other children cared for. 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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