Bower, Lesley Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY388558 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Cathryn Parry

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and three years in the residential area of Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. She has two cats and fish as pets. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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

The childminder offers a warm and friendly welcome to all children and their parents. She provides a wide range of activities to ensure there are ample opportunities for children to make progress. Systems for including parents in the assessment process are being developed. A very positive attitude to offering an inclusive environment is demonstrated. The childminder has attended a variety of training and linked with an early years professional from the local authority to ensure continuous improvement is maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended safeguarding training and demonstrates a clear understanding of her role and responsibility. Consequently, children are well protected. Risk assessments take place daily within the childminders home and for outings. These effectively reduce the chance of accidental injury. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder and other household members have had suitable checks completed. They benefit from the knowledge gained by the childminder attending the initial training and subsequent related courses. Children’s play opportunities are maximised through the effective organisation of space, time and resources. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Good parental involvement is highly beneficial to the continuity of care that the children receive. The childminder speaks to them on a daily basis to ensure they are fully informed of the activities their children have enjoyed. Consequently, they

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the early years provision

are able to continue their learning at home through highlighted experiences. The childminder has made links with the local nursery school where children access care and education in more than one setting. This ensures continuity and cohesion. The childminder is very willing to link with other professionals to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly evaluates the learning and development opportunities she provides. She gains feedback from parents verbally and with written questionnaires to give her a broader view of the service provided. She complements this through discussion with the children around the activities and experiences they enjoy whilst in her care.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements it well. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and are eager to participate in the variety of activities provided. They benefit from a flexible routine including a very good balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. Children are learning right from wrong and are starting to take responsibility for their own actions. The childminder’s confident approach to equal opportunities actively contributes to children’s positive attitudes to the wider community. This is complemented with access to a selection of related resources. They have excellent opportunities to socialise with others as they attend toddler groups and enjoy trips in the local community. They show an awareness of shape as they complete puzzles. Children use information and communication technology to support their learning, for example, they use the till in their pretend shop and

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and outcomes for children

other interactive resources. Their communication skills are fostered well through various experiences including musical activities. Children have a growing understanding of the world that they live in through a variety of well planned and spontaneous experiences. These include collecting leaves and making collage pictures and exploring the snow. Creative activities, including painting, making papier-mache pig money boxes and manipulating play dough, promote children's self-expression whilst having fun. The childminder plans activities taking into account children's interests. She has developed individual books which contain observations and photographs linked to the areas of learning. Consequently, it is easy to see progress towards the early learning goals. Systems for involving parents in the observation and assessment process are not fully developed. This has a slightly negative impact on the childminder being fully informed when

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and outcomes for children

planning future experiences for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are welcomed into clean and well-kept premises where they have ample space to play. They are kept secure through good procedures for entry to the childminder's home. Children are kept safe on outings as they learn road safety procedures and understand simple rules, such as using the pedestrian crossing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Regular checks and cleaning keep the broad range of toys and resources in a good condition. This ensures that children handle items that are clean and safe. Children flourish as they access good opportunities for physical play, including visiting a soft play centre, using the range of resources in the garden and visiting the park. The childminder’s flexible routine incorporates time for quiet play and rest, enhancing children’s well-being. Parents provide children's meals. These are complemented by the childminder as she provides healthy snacks, including fruit. Children

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and outcomes for children

confidently ask for drinks when they are thirsty, as well as having juice, water and milk regularly provided. The childminder sets an appropriate example as the children watch her clean her hands before she gives them their snack. Children are encouraged to be healthy as they learn how to wash their hands and they know to put their hands over their mouth when they cough. Clear records are kept in respect of accidents and medication and these are shared with parents. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness and she discusses this with parents when they first come to see her. The childminder can respond appropriately if children have an accident as she is trained to administer first aid. All relevant documentation with regard to health, including specific dietary needs and consent forms, are in place and up to date. These positively safeguard children’s well-being.

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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 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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