Nicholls, Victoria May

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY263162 Inspection date 27/04/2010 Inspector Lilyanne Taylor

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her mother and adult sister in an end terrace house situated in a residential area of Southsea, Portsmouth. The whole of the house is registered for childminding. However, the childminder chooses to only allow minded children access to the lower floor of the property and the upper floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family keep cats, a bird, guinea pig and rabbit as pets. The childminder is able to take and collect children from school and attends a local toddler group on a regular basis. Her operational hours are Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm all year round.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age range. Currently, the childminder has seven children on roll; of these three are in the early years age group and one attends full time. Care is also able to be provided for children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare. She has also met the necessary criteria for the National Childminding Association's Quality First Scheme level 2 and is currently working towards meeting the criteria required for level 3.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Not all policies and procedures worked to are carried out effectively in practice, and some documentation is not kept as required. As a result Children's safety is compromised. The childminder is fully committed to her ongoing professional development and she uses the knowledge she gains from training effectively in practice. This along with the systems in place for liaising with parents has enabled the childminder to provide children with a provision that supports them to make good progress in all areas of their learning and development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure a record of the following information is kept for each child care is provided for; full name; date of birth; name and address of every parent and carer who is known to the provider; which of these parents the child normally lives with and emergency contact details of the parents and carers (Documentation). 30/04/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure the record of risk assessment identifies all potential risks children may be exposed to and the action to be taken to prevent injury, paying particular attention to the loose fitting stair carpet  ensure the practising of the procedures for evacuating the premises in the event of an emergency is carried out with all children  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 has sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures she would follow if abuse of a child were suspected. She shares her policy with parents so they are aware of how their children's well-being will be safeguarded. All persons living in the household aged over 16 years have had their suitability to be around children verified. The childminder carries out a daily visual check of the lower floor to ensure all areas are safe and the front door is kept locked. Written risk assessments identify most hazards children may be exposed to and how the childminder intends to manage these. The childminder is able to verbally state how she ensures children's safety while they are away from the home on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has created a range of policies and procedures to support her practice which parents sign their agreement to, ensuring they are fully aware of all aspects of the care they can expect their children to receive. However, not all procedures for ensuring the safety of children within the environment are effectively carried out in practice. The childminder does not keep a record of the specific data that is required for all children in her care. This is a breach of welfare requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates most aspects of her provision effectively and drawn up plans for the future. For example, because not all resources are stored on the lower floor the childminder is intending to provide pictures of all the resources she has to ensure children are able to make a more informed choice of what they want to play with. Resources available are stored so as to be easily accessible. The organisation of the lower floor of the home enables children to take part in a range of activities which support their learning and development in all areas.

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the early years provision

The childminder observes children while they play and has good knowledge of their capabilities. Individual records she maintains for all children are currently being developed to ensure the actual stage of development children are at in all six areas of their learning and what the intentions are to plan for their progression is shown.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the clear lines of communication between the childminder and their parents; information is shared daily of the care they have been provided with, activities they have engaged in and some noticeable achievements they have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 made. Parents are able to view their children's progress records at any time and encouraged to share with the childminder any achievements they notice their child has made at home. Parents are involved in the evaluation process of the setting and express they are satisfied with the care their children receive and that their children are very happy to attend.

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the early years provision

Currently the childminder is the only carer of children she cares for on the premises. Through discussion she is aware that should their care start to be shared with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers then systems for liaising with them to ensure all children's care and learning is continuously supported need to be put in place.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's care. They participate in a range of activities both inside and outside the home which supports their development in all areas. Overall children play in a safe, secure environment. However, the childminder has not identified the potential hazard children are exposed to when they are accessing the upper floor to use the bathroom facilities; the stair carpet is not close fitting to the stair treads.

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and outcomes for children

Children have warm relationships with the childminder and receive lots of positive interaction, thus helping to build their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder makes sound use of routines and incidental opportunities to support and promote children's learning. The childminder's effective verbal interaction with younger children is supporting them to develop their language and communication skills; she takes time to listen to what they have to say and models the correct language back to them for words they pronounce incorrectly.

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and outcomes for children

Information the childminder collects about children from their parents at onset of minding enables her to provide care in accordance with their individual needs and education based on their starting points. The childminder uses the knowledge she has of individual children to provide activities that are suitable and enable them to progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate a sense of security, they move around the lower floor of the home confidently. They are able to independently choose resources they want to play with from those available and there is a good balance of child led and adult initiated play. Children enjoy the childminder joining in with their play, which extends their learning. While playing with building blocks, the childminder encourages them to count how many they have, to sort and match the colours and introduces them to language such as big, small, on top and under so they gain a concept of size and positioning.

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and outcomes for children

Through discussion and a range of resources, some of which are borrowed from the local toy library, children are becoming aware of the diversity of the world in which they live. Through their regular attendance at toddler groups children are beginning to learn how to socialise with others and the need to share and take This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 turns. Most children are becoming aware of how they can ensure their own safety; they learn the rules for crossing roads and through discussion, they are becoming aware of the importance of not talking to strangers. However not all have been involved in the practising of the fire drill.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a healthy lifestyle and they enjoy being outdoors; they ride their scooters and bikes in the park and visit a local canoe lake to feed the ducks with seed. During trips to the beach children collect pebbles and shells which they take back home to paint. In the warmer weather children enjoy going for picnics.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming independent in their self-help skills and are learning to follow good hygiene practice; they are reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day using liquid soap and individual towels to dry them. Children are encouraged to follow a healthy diet and thoroughly enjoy eating the nutritious snacks of fresh fruit they are offered. Drinks are readily available at all times, thus ensuring children do not go thirsty. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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