Carr, Katrina Heather

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY341424 Inspection date 14/01/2010 Inspector Olwen Pulker

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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and one in a suburb of Telford, Shropshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding five children, of whom three are in the early years age group.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and takes and collects children to and from the local school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

Children thrive, settle well and make good progress. The childminder creates a comfortable, stimulating and safe environment for children. The childminder values the uniqueness of each child and ensures their needs are clearly understood and met so that all aspects of their welfare, learning and development are successfully promoted. The childminder demonstrates a clear ability and commitment to the continuous improvement of her service. She evaluates her provision, taking into account the views of parents and children. She takes appropriate action to address areas for improvement, including developing her own knowledge.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further systems to improve a regular two-way flow of information with parents.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are fully safeguarded because the childminder clearly understands her role to protect them from harm and to take prompt appropriate action if she has concerns about their welfare. She keeps up-to-date by attending safeguarding training and regularly reviews her procedures. All areas of the setting to which children have access and outings away from the setting are assessed to ensure children are not at risk. Adults in the household are suitably checked. Children's welfare is further protected as the childminder has thorough policies relating to all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aspects of their care which are read by parents, and she obtains all required information about children and families so it is clear who has legal contact with each child and parental responsibility for them.

p.4

the early years provision

The outcomes for children are consistently improved as the childminder continually monitors and evaluates her provision, taking into account the views of children, parents, and other professionals such as her local authority development worker. The recommendation from the last inspection has been successfully addressed, resulting in children being able to access more toys independently.

p.5

the early years provision

Children’s care and early learning is supported well by the provision of interesting, good quality resources in the childminder’s home and elsewhere. For instance, children’s social contacts and experiences are enriched and extended by walks and outings in the surrounding countryside and by attending a wide range of toddler activities, library visits and meetings with other childminders and children. The childminder also develops her knowledge and expertise through attending regular training. She develops strong partnerships with parents and gives them regular, meaningful feedback about their child’s activities, routines and achievements. Systems for informing them of more general aspects of the provision are less secure. Parents' views about their child and the setting are consistently sought and valued. The childminder has effective procedures in place for sharing information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to ensure

p.5

the early years provision

continuity and consistency in their development though none of the currently minded children attend such settings.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has good systems for promoting the welfare of babies and children so they are protected from harm, kept safe and are well looked after. She creates a relaxed comfortable atmosphere for children who show they feel safe and confident with the childminder as they seek assistance when they are unable to do things independently and continue to play happily when strangers are present. Children are consistently encouraged to behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others, for example, not running indoors. Children have regular opportunities take part in practise emergency evacuations and meet 'people who help us' such as fire fighters and police officers. Children's health and well-being are fully promoted as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure she fully understands each child's care, health, cultural and dietary needs. She implements clear infection control guidelines to minimise the risks of infection, and

p.5

and outcomes for children

to ensure children have prompt appropriate treatment, in line with their parents' wishes, if they have an accident, become unwell or need medication. From an early age, children learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They make good choices of what to eat and drink and eat well, enjoying nourishing home cooked meals and snacks provided by the childminder. Children relish being outdoors in all weathers, splashing in puddles or playing in the snow. They walk to school and become familiar with the local area on walks through woodland. They develop confidence and skill in moving in different ways and in using a good range of apparatus and wheeled toys. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children make good progress as their learning and development are supported well by the childminder. Children of all ages take part in varied activities and experiences in her comfortable, welcoming home and at other venues. These

p.5

and outcomes for children

activities reflect children's interests and learning and development needs as the childminder has good procedures for identifying each child's starting points, including seeking information from parents, and for monitoring and tracking their progress. She has a clear understanding of each child's learning priorities and how to help them move onto the next stage in their learning. Children are keen to learn and eagerly participate in activities. Their differing needs and levels of ability are reflected in activities, and they thrive on the balance of worthwhile child-initiated and adult-led activities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop good skills for the future. They become confident, active learners who concentrate, persevere and confidently play alone or together. The layout of resources within the designated play room fosters children's choices, ideas and imagination, for example, during role play in the home corner. Interesting sensory and interactive toys encourage babies' concentration, exploration and independent play, and they are fully included in a wide range of creative experiences. The childminder encourages babies and children to play and learn together and sensitively promotes their awareness and tolerance of each other's differing ages and varying abilities. As a result, children settle well, make friends and play harmoniously. Children's speech and vocabulary develops well as the childminder talks to and questions them during their play. They use numbers for counting and are beginning to recognise items according to size, shape and colour. Children

p.6

and outcomes for children

develop an understanding and appreciation of the wider world. Through discussions and play they learn respect for others' differing beliefs and customs. They garden, growing vegetables in raised beds, and learn about animal welfare by helping to look after the childminder's pets and visiting farms. Babies and children are imaginative and creative, all enjoying using a range of colourful resources for painting and craft work. They are proud of their achievements and are keen to show others their artwork which is prominently displayed in the playroom. 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