Ms Jodi Keating

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 505725 Inspection date 18/02/2010 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her partner, teenage daughter and 10 year old son. They live in a house in Peacehaven near to shops, schools and parks. The majority of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Part of the fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder has a dog, a rabbit and guinea pigs.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child 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 Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 are very confident and happy in the caring, homely environment created by the childminder. The childminder gets to know each child well and by working closely with parents to provide the appropriate care, she ensures that no child is disadvantaged. Children’s safety, health and well-being are promoted very effectively. The childminder shows a good awareness of her strengths and has identified a number of areas for further development of her childcare practices. These include plans for the garden that will enable her to provide a more stimulating and accessible outdoor learning environment for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a strong commitment to ensuring all children are safe, secure and well protected. She is fully aware of her responsibility to report any possible cases of abuse or neglect. All the required documentation to support the welfare of children is in place and generally well maintained. She effectively identifies and minimises potential risks to children in her home so they play and move freely around the house. Her record of risk assessments does not include each type of outing to fully ensure she has minimised all hazards to children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 However, the childminder demonstrates that she has very robust procedures that keep children safe on outings. These include the use of emergency identification cards that give information about health issues and emergency contacts for each child.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to promote equality of opportunity and is very experienced in caring for children with additional needs. She successfully adapts the environment and obtains specialist equipment to ensure that all children are included and stay safe. Children clearly benefit from playing in a child friendly environment that is focused on meeting their individual needs. She works closely with other providers in order to provide continuity of care and support for individual children. The childminder forms good working relationships with parents. She gives them a variety of helpful information about her childcare provision including regular newsletters that keep them well informed about what children will be learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly reflects on her practices by taking part in quality assurance schemes. She continually seeks ways to develop her knowledge and skills by attending relevant training and implementing new ideas. She has started to seek the views of parents and children in order to use their feedback to make further improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a wonderful time with the childminder and they make excellent progress in their learning. The childminder regularly observes and assesses children’s progress and effectively uses the information gained to plan activities that will enable each child to develop further. She interacts extremely well with the children as they play and gives them excellent support. Children have access to an extensive range of toys and equipment that the childminder uses very effectively to promote their individual learning and development. She creates a colourful, welcoming and safe playroom for the children where they can help themselves to toys. Children’s self-esteem is promoted well as samples of their art work are displayed on the walls. The childminder also displays a variety of educational posters and pictures that give opportunities for children to talk about what they see. She makes good use of signing and visual timelines to help children

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and outcomes for children

communicate and settle, particularly those with additional needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide range of stimulating and fun activities that include interesting trips out to places such as museums and zoos. They talk excitedly about their time at a sensory activity day and proudly show what they made. Their communication skills are very good and they confidently talk about their experiences and ask questions. The childminder introduces and reinforces new words so that their vocabulary builds well. They have regular opportunities to use a wide variety of technological equipment. They develop skills in counting and problem solving as they play with the toy vehicles.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and learn to negotiate with each other as they share toys and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take turns. They learn to respect and value differences as they find out about the wider world and how other people live. Their independence is promoted well as they are encouraged to do things for themselves, for example, tidying up after finishing playing with a toy. They are well occupied and thoroughly enjoy activities such as threading food items on edible laces. They take part in growing activities and show an interest in their world as they use the magnifying glass to explore.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to eat healthily and have easy access to drinks. The childminder plans activities and games that help children learn about what is good to eat. Children develop an exceptional understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene as they talk about germs and why they need to wash their hands.

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and outcomes for children

As they play, children demonstrate that they are developing an excellent understanding of how to play safely in the home. They know that if they leave toys strewn around the floor they might get hurt. The childminder provides a variety of themes where children learn about safety in a fun way. They visit the local fire station and play games about safety issues. The children learn to cross roads safely when they go on outings and remind the childminder what to do. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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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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