Carty, Clare

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY305102 Inspection date 24/01/2010 Inspector Kim Wailling

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and three children aged nine years, six years and five months in London Colney, St Albans Hertfordshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is a garden for outside play which has level access. The family has no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered for two children in the early years age range and two children over five years on the Early Years Register and also on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for one child within the early years age range on a part-time basis. Overnight care is not offered.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers an inclusive service to children which is supported by relevant policies and is evident in her everyday practice. As a result, all children are making good progress in their learning and development. Partnership with parents is in place and mostly effective. The childminder has paid good attention to evaluating her provision and keeping herself updated about childcare initiatives. She is therefore in a good position to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further systems that involve parents in their children's learning and development  extend risk assessment procedures to include children's use of the garden trampoline.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's care and well-being are well promoted because the childminder puts the individual needs of the children first. All safeguarding reporting procedures are in place and the childminder has ensured that checks have been carried out regarding the suitability of other adults living within her family home.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has developed a satisfactory relationship with children's parents so that information about children's health and care needs are shared but not always progressed in their learning. However, productive relationships are in place with other early years settings such as the local Children's Centre, which offers many services such as a toy library and toddler groups which the childminder frequently uses. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a secure understanding of what constitutes an inclusive service for children which is evident in her planning and child assessment systems. She promotes equality of opportunity and recognises and develops the unique skills and abilities of each child. This includes supporting Spanish speaking children in their home and second language. In addition, role play resources have been carefully chosen to engage children's interest. For example, during the inspection

p.4

the early years provision

children played contentedly with a mini woodwork bench enjoying using replicate tools.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. This enables her to make appropriate changes. For example, she is reviewing the effectiveness of her current risk assessment. Since registration the childminder has successfully completed a level three National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Childcare and Early Education which has deepened her understanding of childcare issues.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are offered a varied range of experiences and activities which covers all areas of learning. Alongside the family's garden which has a wide range of equipment such as wooden climbing frame, there is an attractive playroom for children to use. Here, examples of the children's artwork are on display which creates a welcoming and homely atmosphere. Children are offered a balanced range of activities. For example, access to the family computer enables children to develop skills for the future. Alongside this younger children are taken on outings to toddler groups and a local children's farm which further enhances their enjoyment.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are valued and their home backgrounds respected. The childminder incorporates aspects of multiculturalism such as celebrating Chinese New Year, into the adult-led activities that she offers children so that they gain an understanding of the wider world. The childminder keeps individual development records for each child in her care so that she can plan the next steps in their learning. As a result, she is in an informed position to identify a child's need for additional support and take appropriate action. However, children's assessment records are not shared with their parents which limits parental involvement in their children's learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Attention is given to promoting children's health. The childminder ensures that children are provided with meals and snacks that are balanced and nutritious. Features such as supervised hand washing take place within the daily routine. Here, with younger children, to reinforce the benefits of washing away germs the childminder sings a rhyme and provides each child with a named individual towel. Children's safety is given consideration and risk assessments are used to manage potential risks to children, although currently this does not include children's use of the trampoline. All toys that the children use are kept scrupulously and this combined with the good use of space and safe storage of equipment, particularly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in the designated playroom which also has wheelchair access, means that children can play safely and enjoy their games.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Overall, the childminder has created a happy and well-resourced environment for children of all ages in her family home. Children are secure and content in the childminder's care and make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8