Hera House

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 150927 Inspection date 22/04/2010 Inspector Coral Hales

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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 1992 and is a qualified practitioner and a member of an Accredited Childminding Network. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and their three children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is accessible and used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently 14 children on roll, eight of whom are within the early years age range. The family has a range of pets and the childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 happy and settled in the homely environment and are well supported by the childminder. She knows the children well and provides them with a good range of activities both inside and out that encourages them to become active independent learners. Provision for their physical play is very well promoted and is strength of the setting. The childminder has systems in place to monitor and evaluate her provision and is committed to making continuous improvement. She has effective links with other providers and professionals to ensure continuity of care for the children. Good relationships are in place with parents and together they share information which enables her to successfully meet the individual needs of all the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the assessment records to clearly show how observations link to the expectations of the early learning goals and show the progress children make during the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates clear knowledge relating to child protection. She has recently attended advanced child protection training and has all relevant documents in place to share with parents. The childminder has a written risk assessment which includes outings undertaken with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children. She updates it regularly, uses it as a working document and signs and dates as required. Effective safety measures are in place throughout the home and this demonstrates that she considers children’s safety at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder is qualified, enthusiastic and self-motivated and continues to update her knowledge by attending various training courses, many organised by the childminding network. She also works as a mentor for other childminder’s in the area, helping to share good practice and expertise. Children benefit greatly from the childminder’s commitment and enjoy their time in her care. She provides an exciting, stimulating and interesting programme to ensure that they have fun while they are learning. The childminder keeps up to date with childcare initiatives and is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and is currently completing a written self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and others to effectively meet each child’s needs and this enables her to provide a welcoming and inclusive service. A good range of policies are in place and these are made available to the parents and she ensures all relevant records are completed and necessary parental signatures obtained.

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and outcomes for children

Children play and relax within a provision that is clean and suitably maintained. They benefit from the use of a designated playroom where the arrangement of a very good selection of age appropriate resources at child height creates a welcoming and stimulating environment. All children are encouraged to be active, independent learners, whilst benefiting from the childminder’s involvement in their play. For example, she sits on the rug supporting a child playing with small figures and effectively promotes their early language skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the differing needs of her minded children and all her resources are used extremely well to support their needs. For example, one enjoys using the push and ride motor bike and loves pressing the buttons that make realistic noises, whilst a younger one unable to ride it just has fun pressing the buttons.

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and outcomes for children

Children of all ages enjoy using the playhouse in the garden. For example, two older children sit one end feeding their babies while a younger one sits the other end playing with a large helicopter, pressing buttons to make sounds and lights flash. Later they all sit together in the playhouse listening and joining in with a familiar story.

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and outcomes for children

The playroom opens onto the garden and this very effectively encourages the children to continue their play into the outside area. They love the variety of equipment and space that allows them to freely explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant across all areas of learning. The children have supervised access to lots of guinea pigs and rabbits as the childminder supports This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the local animal rescue centre.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has effective systems to detail children’s starting points and she completes observational records. Children’s Learning Journey records are well maintained and contain many photographs, however, these are not effectively linked to the expectations of the early learning goals and do not clearly show the progress that the children make during the Foundation Stage. Assessment records are available at all times to share with the parents and they are encouraged to comment and add their ideas and information about the child’s achievements at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a home where they learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They develop suitable hygiene skills through regular daily routines. Younger children’s schedules and routines flow with their individual needs. Children receive healthy and nutritious snacks, for example, a selection of fresh fruit encourages them to understand healthy eating and drinks are available at all times in individual containers. They ask to have lunch in the garden and enjoy eating outside, all sitting together around the table with younger children sitting in high chairs.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well in response to the childminder’s calm management. They begin to take risks whilst being effectively supervised and are aware of the reasonable boundaries set. Children are helped to learn about how to keep themselves safe and they take part in regular fire evacuations. The older children are fully aware of the procedure to follow and one clearly explained it to the inspector. Children are encouraged to share and take turns and to be aware of others around them. They are developing their social skills and a caring environment is evident and children value all praise given for their efforts. 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 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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