Conlin Tracy Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY308123 Inspection date 09/03/2010 Inspector Valerie Fane

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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and children aged 16 and eight in Hemel Hempstead. The whole of the property except for two bedrooms is used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is down a flight of steps. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a cat, a kitten and two rabbits.

p.4

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. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children settle extremely well with their lively, enthusiastic childminder and develop a very close relationship with her and with members of her family. They make excellent progress in their learning and development because she has a very secure understanding of how to plan rich and varied play experiences that provide them with plenty of opportunities to take their next steps in learning. She works very closely with parents to ensure that she is fully aware of children's individual welfare needs and children also develop a very good understanding of our wider society. She has a very clear vision to provide the best possible care for children and has made extensive improvements since her last inspection. She is developing her use of self-evaluation to identify further improvements across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 improve the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvements.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are fully protected because the childminder has recently completed safeguarding training and has a robust knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about children in her care. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures that adult members of her household undergo checks with the Criminal Records Bureau to confirm that they are suitable to be in contact with young children. Children receive care in a home that is entirely safe and secure because the childminder has completed detailed risk assessments and reviews these regularly. They are supervised well at all times.

p.4

the early years provision

Children thrive because the childminder is full of enthusiasm and works hard to fulfil her vision to provide a very high level of childcare that meets the individual needs of each of her minded children. She has made significant improvements since the last inspection. She has met the recommendation to support children's welfare by obtaining prior consent to obtain emergency medical advice or treatment. She has strengthened her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how young children learn and develop through attendance on many training workshops. She plans to attend more training and she is in the process of enrolling to undertake a relevant early years qualification. She also wants to work towards the local authority quality assurance scheme in the future. She is developing the use of a formal self-evaluation document to identify other areas for development in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children use an

p.5

the early years provision

excellent range of resources both indoors and outside. These include posters and toys that reflect different cultures and our wider society. The indoor toys are stored mainly in clearly-labelled low-level containers so that children can self- select.

p.5

the early years provision

Children enjoy excellent continuity of care because the childminder works very closely with their parents or carers. This ensures that she has a detailed knowledge of children's family circumstances and their individual needs. Parents are very well informed about all aspects of children's welfare and learning because the childminder uses a detailed daily diary for two-way communication to back up verbal comments. Parents also have regular access to children's lovely learning journeys which contain detailed observations of children's play and learning supported by extensive photographs of them enjoying the very wide range of interesting and innovative activities that the childminder provides. Children who attend other early years provision thrive because the childminder fully understands the importance of sharing detailed information with the other provider to ensure that everyone is fully informed about children's needs and progress. The

p.5

the early years provision

childminder is not currently caring for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities but she has an excellent knowledge of the support available for such children and the importance of partnership working with other agencies gained through her experience with her own family.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children thrive with their vibrant, enthusiastic childminder. They feel completely secure because they develop a very close relationship with her and also enjoy the company of her own children after school. They behave extremely well because the childminder sets clear expectations for their behaviour but also skilfully intervenes at the appropriate moment to distract young children who are wanting to use the same toys. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children gain an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder provides appropriate clothing so that they can play outside in most weather conditions. Children thoroughly enjoy the interesting range of toys and activities in her garden as well as exciting outings to places locally or further away. For example, pre-school children go for a walk in the cornfield near the childminder's home. They find insects such as a slug crossing the path and a ladybird in the

p.5

and outcomes for children

grass. They see a bee having a rest and try to measure it with their fingers. When they get home they draw pictures of the creatures they found. They eat healthy snacks such as bananas and all children develop excellent self-help skills at an early age because the childminder provides suitable knives and encourages them to cut up their own fruit. She makes very good use of spontaneous learning opportunities because when they have had enough to eat they count how many pieces of fruit are left on their plate. They grow and harvest a varied selection of fruit and vegetables, including strawberries, carrots and cauliflowers, in the garden during the summer.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have ample interesting and relevant opportunities to learn about other cultures. They celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year. Older children make paper lanterns and learn how to do origami. All children enjoy messy play with noodles, rice and chopsticks. They go on a visit to China Town in London where they visit the supermarket to see the different foods that are sold and watch people making dragon beard candy. Children learn about other countries because they take part in planned activities such as a 'Taste of Africa' workshop. They enjoy African drumming and try to beat the rhythm for favourite songs such as 'Bob the Builder' and join in dancing and singing activities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder has a secure understanding of how young children develop. She provides them with rich and varied play opportunities that support them extremely well as they take their next steps in learning. She observes and assesses their progress so that she is fully aware of their learning priorities. The activities also help children to develop very good skills for the future.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder follows children's individual interests when she is planning activities as well as using a broad framework of planned activities to introduce new ideas to their play and learning. She interacts very well with the children and gives them space to develop their own ideas through their play. For example, younger children excitedly investigate a large box full of boxes. They discover that they can put their arms through some of them and laugh. They try to build a tower with the boxes. They decide they want to stick some of them together so the childminder provides some sticky tape. Some children use it to stick boxes while others prefer to pretend it is a sticker and put it on themselves. Children talk about the size of the boxes that they are using to make a tower and the childminder skilfully introduces additional mathematical language by asking questions such as 'Is it getting tall now?' Children then choose to develop their imaginative play and

p.6

and outcomes for children

decide to climb into the big box and let the childminder pull them around the house in it.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn to take care of living things. They observe the development of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's kitten from the time it was born. They help to look after 'Biff' and 'Chip', the rabbits, so they take them their lunch and check whether they need more water. When they go fishing in the holidays they learn how to care for the creatures they catch. Children also gain a very good awareness of their personal safety. When they are fishing they learn to use the nets safely. At home they have regular opportunities to practice the fire evacuation procedures and the childminder talks to them about what they are doing and why. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9