Pattinson, Alison Catherine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317197 Inspection date 05/01/2010 Inspector Carys Millican

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 15 years in Stanwix, Carlisle, Cumbria. The childminder lives close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The bathroom is situated on the first floor and the small spare bedroom is used as a sleep room. Children access outdoor play within the block paved area to the side and rear of the house and a grassed area to the rear of the property.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder provides care from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday throughout the year. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. She holds a level 3 in Early Years Childcare and Education, a level 3 Quality Assurance through the National Childminding Association Quality First accreditation scheme and is a member of the Cumbria Childminding Network.

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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 thrive in the care of this experienced and well qualified early years practitioner who has an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation stage which she effectively implements in her everyday practice. Children benefit from the individual care they receive and the one to one support provided by the childminder who knows the children well, including their unique attributes and interests. Children are happy, confident and settled in this warm and welcoming, safe and secure environment, where they independently access a good selection of resources and play opportunities. Children benefit from the good partnerships established with parents and the links established with most settings children additionally attend. The childminder is an enthusiastic, committed and dedicated practitioner who continually monitors and evaluates her everyday working practice and ongoing professional development, to improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to show how children's free play covers the six areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance.  further develop links with other settings children attend to ensure a balance This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of activities is provided that complement the learning taking place.

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the early years provision

Children are kept safe and secure in this well organised and well maintained family home. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and regularly attends refresher training in this sensitive subject. Children’s safety is paramount. She understands her role and responsibility in child protection and safeguarding issues to ensure children are kept safe from harm. A comprehensive set of written policies are shared with parents including the safeguarding and complaints policy. Record keeping documents are available to record any concerns. The childminder has completed detailed risk assessments for all areas used by children and for each individual outing. Children regularly practise the fire evacuation procedure and a log of these fire practises is maintained. All exterior doors and gates are secure so children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. Children benefit from the childminder using the available space both inside and

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the early years provision

outside effectively to meet their needs. For example, children access all the ground floor rooms which enables freedom of movement and access to a selection of good quality toys and activities. Children easily and independently access these resources which meet their interest and contribute to their development and learning.

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the early years provision

Children settle easily in this relaxed environment where they benefit from the good partnership established with parents. Everyone is warmly welcomed into the childminder's home and parents and children are given time to get to know her and her family. Recent questionnaires completed by attending parents and their children, express a high regard for the care and service she provides for them. Questionnaires state how children enjoy attending and ‘the wonderful job she does’. They explain how much they appreciate the daily diaries and the regular newsletters they receive. A noticeboard in the dining room displays a wealth of information for parents about the Early Years Foundation Stage, her childminding practice and policies and procedures. Parents complete ‘all about me’ sheets detailing all the individual information required regarding children’s interests, development and starting points. They are also encouraged to add comments to

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the early years provision

the daily diary. The childminder talks to parents about what their children have done during the day and newsletters incorporate ideas of how parents can help their children at home. Children benefit from the joint working arrangements that have been established with most of the other settings children attend. These ensure continuity and coherence of learning experiences. The childminder regularly meets with multi-agency workers at 'cluster group meetings'. At these meetings, specific subjects are discussed, such as identifying concerns and providing additional support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or children with English as an additional language.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed, motivated and dedicated to further develop her childminding service and to driving improvement. She holds an early years qualification and the National Childminding Association Quality First accreditation. The childminder attends additional training opportunities initiated by the local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 authority and future courses are highlighted. Children benefit from her undivided attention and one-to-one support she provides, and they thrive in her company. The childminder constantly reviews her everyday practice and self-evaluation is competently addressed, whereby she has created an action plan of improvements she wishes to put in place. This details her plan through the childminding network to enable parents to access the early years education funding.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time spent at the childminders. They enjoy themselves and have fun playing with a good selection of toys and self-chosen activities. Play opportunities initiated by the childminder in discussion with the children, cover the six areas of learning and follow children’s emerging interests. Children thrive in the childminder's company. They benefit from the individual one-to-one support they receive. Therefore, they are growing and developing well and making good progress in relation to initial starting points. The childminder knows the children well. She asks them what they would like to do in more structured play situations, for example, completing creative activities. The children have been interested in the snow. They explain how they made a snowman outside and made snowflake patterns for the wall. Children choose a silhouette snowman and gather different textured materials to make it. The childminder supports children as they play and

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and outcomes for children

cleverly covers most of the six areas of learning in activities. She sits with the children, talks to them, asks them questions as she participates in their play, skilfully extending their language and communication skills. She has developed a close bond and relationship with the children, and knows them and their unique attributes well. Children enjoy playing with animal farms and construction toys. The childminder makes sure resources are easily accessible to the children so they can make free choices and decisions about their play. Posters, books and play opportunities help children learn about the diversity and difference of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and they are confident and self-assured. The childminder constantly helps extend their learning by asking questions and positively praising their efforts. These positive relationships and developing friendships aids children’s behaviour and emerging social skills. The childminder observes children as they play, noting down any new skills they attain and the next steps in their learning. There is limited planning completed or systems developed to show how children cover all six areas of learning in a continuous free play environment with the available resources. Children follow consistent and familiar routines, therefore they develop a sense of security and feel safe. Children enjoy a loving cuddle when sitting on the childminder's knee. The smile, snuggle in and make lots of eye contact, so that they feel emotionally secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to learn about basic health and hygiene practices. They learn how hand washing is important after feeding the fish and before eating their snack. Children are provided with healthy, nutritious, homemade meals and a variety of fruit snacks. They enjoy their food, and their self- help skills are supported as the childminder encourages children to help her prepare snack and for them to feed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themselves. The childminder ensures fresh drinking water is readily available and toilet routines are hygienically met. Resources and equipment are sturdy and safe, clean and well maintained. Children get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They walk to the local school daily and attend several activity groups during the week. Children enjoy playing outside in the garden where they can explore the natural environment in safety.

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and outcomes for children

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 3 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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