Fox, Seema

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY303824 Inspection date 27/05/2010 Inspector Jacqueline Munden

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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 2005. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder and their school aged child, aged over eight years. They live on the outskirts of Aldershot close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminders' home is used for childminding and one room on the first floor is used for sleeping purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and may care for six children under eight years, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. When the childminder works jointly with her co-childminder husband they may care for ten children, six of whom may be in the early years age range. They are currently minding five early years children. The childminder walks/drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has greatly developed her provision since the last inspection, demonstrating a firm commitment to improving outcomes for children. Her increased knowledge and understanding of the welfare requirements has enabled her to provide a safe, inclusive and accessible environment where children make generally satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Strong links with parents and others involved in children's care enable her to meet their individual needs appropriately. Generally effective procedures ensure children's health is promoted.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve methods used to share fruit at snack time to ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised  increase children's access to resources and activities that promote positive images of those with disability and of different race and cultures to increase their knowledge and understanding of the wider world  use the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to assist in assessing and monitoring children's progress against the early learning goals and to ensure the planned next steps have a clear learning intention, and invite parents' involvement to fully support children's learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of the procedure to follow should she have a concern regarding child protection. Risk assessments are conducted within the home, garden and for outings, and effective steps are taken to minimise any identified hazards. Appropriate records and parental consents are in place to promote children's health and welfare, and a wide range of written polices and procedures underpin her good practice. The complaints procedure is effective in ensuring matters are dealt with appropriately and suitable records are maintained. The childminder and her co-childminder husband are suitably vetted and work cohesively to ensure children are supervised at all times. The childminder promotes a healthy lifestyle and provides children with fresh fruit at snack time. However the method used for serving the fruit means children repeatedly return to the bowl using their hands which does not

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the early years provision

fully prevent the risk of cross-infection.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses space in and outdoors well to ensure children can move around freely and take part in a varied range of activities. She is generally well organised and ensures children’s routines are met well. Equality and diversity is satisfactorily promoted as all children are included and can take part as play equipment suits their development level and interest. A wide range of resources is easily accessible in low level storage units enabling children to make choices. However the range promoting positive images of all people in society is limited. The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive setting. Although there are no children attending with special educational needs and/or disabilities, she is happy to discuss any concerns about a child's development with parents and to be involved in supporting them where she can, including working with other professionals. She has considered how she will support a child with English as an

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the early years provision

additional language in her setting to ensure their needs are met.

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the early years provision

The childminder forges strong links with parents. They share information regularly through discussion at delivery and collection times and by the use of a daily diary for younger children. Parents report they are very happy with all aspects of their children's care. They are kept fully informed of the childminder's practise. Parents are involved in the self-evaluation procedure through completing questionnaires but are yet to be invited to contribute to their children's development records. An effective system is used to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage that children attend to fully support their welfare and learning.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the childminder and her co-childminder have been active in improving their practice and have each met all the actions and recommendations that were made. They have developed a good understanding of each other's strengths and use these to bring about improvements for children. For example, both childminders have attended training to help them develop a better understanding of assessing children's progress and how to plan a suitable education programme. The documentation of these records is generally the responsibility of her co-childminder whilst she herself ensures the records This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pertaining to the organisation of the setting are maintained appropriately. The childminder recognises the benefits of reflecting on her practice and seeks comments from parents and children to help her plan for future improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken time to seek support to update her skills in managing children's behaviour appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled with the childminder; they feel safe and secure due to the kind and direct approach she shows in her care and the interaction she provides. They can move around freely and independently in the accessible and attractive environment. They access the toilet and hang their own coats and bags on low level hooks. The childminder helps children learn to develop self-care skills through encouraging them to tidy up after themselves. For example, after a picnic in the garden. Very young children learn skills as they are given the time and encouragement to feed themselves and select resources. Children learn to keep safe as they take part in fire drills and follow safe procedures when out walking and crossing roads. They are learning to keep healthy through effective hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating. Children learn good manners and to respect others as they are reminded to say please and thank you and to

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and outcomes for children

share toys. At snack time they sit together taking turns in selecting pieces of fruit and confidently joining in the chatter.

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and outcomes for children

Equality and diversity is generally promoted well as all children are included and can take part as play equipment suits their development level and interest. For example, very young children use thick, easy grip mark making tools and a low level flip chart is placed within their reach outside. A range of wheeled and sit on toys are available to meet the differing needs of those attending. The childminder offers support and push along toys for those children developing walking skills. Children are cared for in a multi-cultural setting and benefit from the positive attitude the childminder has to ensuring all children are valued. Children try foods from around the world and learn about some other religions through celebrating festivals such as Diwali. However, there are limited toys and books that reflect all people in society for children to learn about others in their own play.

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and outcomes for children

An early interest in books is fostered which helps children's language development and levels of concentration. They sit in the tent in the garden looking at books and turning pages. Children have many opportunities to develop mark making skills. They paint with real decorators' brushes and water, developing skills and muscles needed for writing. Children enjoy learning songs and using musical instruments. Children explore sand and water as they play, discovering that pouring dry sand on to the sand wheel making it turn. They start to use mathematical language as they describe the full and empty pots. Physical skills are promoted well as children enjoy using the trampoline and bikes. They are encouraged to use their imaginations as they use the play kitchen outdoors and home corner indoors. The childminder extends their games and helps them learn. She becomes the traffic lights as they drive around the road markings on the ground holding her arm out

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and outcomes for children

and saying 'red' and the children stop; she lifts her arms and says 'green' and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children drive off again. Children use a range of age appropriate electronic toys helping them develop skills in IT from an early age.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The education programme is planned for with generally suitable activites and resources being provided to help children move on to the next stage in their learning. The childminder quickly gets to know the children and speaks with some knowledge about their stages of development. Appropriate records are maintained to show the progress children make but the planned next steps do not always show an appropriate challenge or clearly show the intended learning outcome. 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 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 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 3 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 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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