Fraser, Tracy Diane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY395286 Inspection date 24/02/2010 Inspector Kristin Hatherly

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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, adult brother and two children aged 16 and six years in Corby in Northamptonshire. Childminding takes place on the ground floor with access to the first floor for toilet and sleeping facilities. There is a rear garden for outside play. Access to the front door is via a small step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years, including three in the early years age range, at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for three children for a variety of sessions.

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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 takes positive steps to promote children's safety, welfare and learning. She recognises children's individuality, gets to know them well and provides a secure and stimulating environment for them. However, parents do not have information with regard to children's learning and progression to enable them to fully support their children. All required policies, records and consents are in place to further promote the safety of the children. The childminder reflects upon her practice, accessing relevant training to enhance her skills and to further improve 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 partnerships with parents to enable them to share information and become involved in their child's continuous learning and development  develop a communication system to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers (for example, where the childminder regularly collects children from school).

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded effectively through the childminder's good understanding of safeguarding issues and the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She keeps appropriate information to access should she have any concerns about a child. Her knowledge and understanding of how to effectively safeguard children, ensures the welfare of every child remains of paramount importance. Risk assessments are carried out regularly so that hazards are identified and minimised and children are supervised at all times. Fire evacuation drills are carried out and recorded regularly. As a result children are cared for in a safe environment. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 records are stored securely and confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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the early years provision

Children are purposefully engaged in a varied range of fun and interesting learning activities. Resources are well used to maximise children's learning potential. For example, toys and resources are freely available both indoors and out, and the furniture and equipment is suitable for children of all ages and stages of development.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted well within the childminder's practice and she takes this responsibility seriously, encouraging children to develop a good understanding of these issues, according to age and stage of development and awareness. For example, there is a range of resources to reflect diversity and disability and children celebrate a variety of festivals. All children are treated as individuals and the childminder ensures that every child has equal chances and opportunities to reach their full potential.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides verbal feedback to parents at the end of sessions. However, they do not have information with regard to children's learning and progression to enable them to fully support their children at home. Parents comment on the childminder's exceptional attention to nutrition and how happy the children are in her care. However, the childminder has not yet developed a communication system to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

Policies and procedures effectively promote children's welfare overall. The childminder maintains clear records of children that are used appropriately to promote children's health and safety. Overall, the childminder has effective systems of reflective practice as a means of driving improvement and accessing relevant training to enhance her skills and to further improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She shows children they are valued by respecting their choices and warmly acknowledging their achievements. The childminder gets involved in children's play developing their language skills and asking open questions to help them develop their thinking skills and solve simple problems.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to share, take turns and develop their develop confidence and self-esteem through the consistent praise and encouragement of the childminder. They develop social skills and interaction by going to various groups. The childminder develops children's conversational skills and love of reading through going regularly to the library and constantly engaging them in conversations. Mark-making is encouraged in a variety of activities such as craft and role play. Children are encouraged to count spontaneously during activities and use mathematical language such as small and big, long and short. They enjoy celebrating a variety of festivals and investigate weather, seasons and cooking. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They take part in a variety of fun craft activities and musical activities. They develop their physical skills as they walk to the local park to play on large

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and outcomes for children

equipment and use crayons and paint brushes.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has profiles for children on the Early Years Register with observations that are used to identify learning priorities for individual children which are used to identify the next steps in children's learning. However, she has not developed a communication system to maintain a regular two-way flow of information with other providers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to keep themselves healthy and safe because the childminder helps them to develop good hygiene habits which helps to prevent the spread of infection. They wash their hands at appropriate times using a clean towel daily. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she provides a good range of balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. She gathers clear information from parents about children’s dietary requirements and this ensures children eat safely. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Diversity is promoted through activities and resources, so children begin to develop an all-round knowledge and understanding of the world. Children are well behaved because they are well occupied and learn good self-discipline and consideration for others from the childminder's good role modelling and interactions. They learn to share and take turns for example when taking part in cooking activities. 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 1 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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