Brooks, Catherine Cairney

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY399433 Inspection date 16/03/2010 Inspector Lynn Palumbo

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 registered in 2009. She lives with her partner and two children in Berkhamsted in the county of Hertfordshire; within walking distance of shops, parks, nurseries and schools. The childminder uses the whole of the bungalow for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet rabbit in the garden.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, of which one is in the early years age group. Children attend at different times of the week. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups, and takes children to the library and park.

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 has good relationships with the parents, which enables her to obtain a secure knowledge about the children's families, home lives and individual needs. This ensures a shared understanding of the children is obtained. She has good systems in place to track children's learning and development to ensure children progress at their age and stage of ability through the early learning goals. The childminder has introduced systems to enable her to reflect upon her practice and identify future areas of development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  establish systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process to ensure they are fully involved with their child’s learning.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge about child protection procedures and knows where to make referrals, should she have any concerns. She has an up-to- date first aid certificate. This ensures, if the children have any accidents or any concerns arise about the well-being of children, that correct procedures are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 followed. The childminder has a detailed record of risk assessment for her home, garden and transporting children in a car. This ensures any potential hazards are promptly identified and minimised. However, the record of risk assessment does not contain details of risk assessments conducted for all outings. The childminder has a number of policies and procedures in place relating to her childminding business, which are shared with, and signed by, parents. These include ones relating to child protection policy and equal opportunities, plus a complaints

p.4

the early years provision

procedure for parents. The childminder also obtains relevant consents and information from parents when children start. These are used to support children's care and to ensure a secure partnership with parents. The information includes permission to take photos and go on outings plus consent for emergency medical treatment.

p.5

the early years provision

Children are offered a wide selection of good quality resources within the home. The childminder rotates the resources regularly to ensure children have different toys to explore and play with. The childminder has designed her garden so children play safely.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates valuable knowledge and information about the children’s backgrounds and health needs. Children foster an awareness of diversity in society through books and toys available to them in the environment. Children have opportunities to learn about different cultures and enjoy playing with children from a diverse background at children’s centres.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and has identified ways in which to further improve her practice. For example, she would like all children to practise the fire evacuation. This ensures children’s safety is further enhanced and feeds into the continuous improvement of her provision.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has established strong relationships with the parents. They are informed about their learning and development through daily discussions, samples of their children’s work and written information within a daily diary. However, she has not established systems to involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process, to ensure they are fully involved with their child’s learning. She has a very detailed parents' notice board in the lobby where she provides parents with different leaflets and information. In addition, the childminder has a compliments book and questionnaire which enables parents an additional way of providing their opinions and suggestions.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge about children’s interests and provides resources and activities to extend these interests. For instance, she provides children with a good range of creative materials because they have been talking about texture and children show an interest in manipulating playdough. This is further extended when they feel the texture of trees during nature walks. The childminder has a good understanding of learning and development. The systems to plan for children's individual needs, through observing and assessing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children, are established.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children’s communication skills are developing well as they begin to say new words, such as, ‘floor’, ‘coat’ and ‘glasses’. Children have good opportunities to explore mark making and developing a variety of curvy lines and discuss their meaning with the childminder. In addition, children have a broad range of books to select and regularly visit the local library. Children develop their problem solving and numeric skills well. They count in sequence as they walk along a number snake and climb steps. In addition, they build a variety of structures with bricks and align puzzles. Children have good opportunities to develop an understanding of the world. They play with small world toys, such as, pirates' ships, dolls' houses and aeroplanes. Children learn about the weather and changing seasons when walking to the local children centre. Children’s creative skills are developing well. They create cards and pictures by sticking a variety of materials. Whilst exploring

p.6

and outcomes for children

the dressing up box, they wear guitar glasses and carefully place sun glasses on the childminder's face; this is further extended when they discuss the use of bodily features, such as, eyes for looking and the nose for smelling. Children develop an understanding of a diverse society as they taste a variety of international fruits, such as, kiwis. All children are encouraged to access all toys and resources regardless of their gender. Children are developing very good social skills. They cuddle the childminder's son when he returns from nursery and share resources.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are learning about keeping safe, as they talk about road safety and being securely strapped in the car seat. This equips children with good understanding of how to manage their own safety. Children are learning to be healthy. They learn about healthy foods, for example, they enjoy nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks and talk about the benefits of fruits. They receive water throughout the day. Children’s behaviour is naturally good. Children are active, inquisitive to explore the resources and they receive efficient support in their play and learning from the childminder. 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