Sproates, Simone

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY404715 Inspection date 22/04/2010 Inspector Elaine Douglas

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 2010. She lives with her husband and 15 month old child. They live in a house in Radstock, Bath and North east Somerset, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding and toilet facilities are on both floors. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, a cat, a cockatiel and tropical fish.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two children may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child, part time, in this age group. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder attends a toddler group, the library and local parks on a regular basis. 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 good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder successfully promotes the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and welfare requirements. She builds positive relationships with parents, which enables her to meet children's individual needs effectively. She gets to know the children well and as a result they are happy and secure in her home. This means that children make good progress in their learning and development, considering their starting points, age and abilities. Children are safeguarded through good supervision and procedures, and enjoy exploring their environment. The childminder is developing her use of self-evaluation and has already sought appropriate training, which demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop the assessment systems in order to match the observations of children to the expectations of the learning goals, to identify the learning priorities for each child  record the evacuation drills in a fire log book, and include details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded through the childminder's good awareness of child protection issues. She has clear written procedures in place and appropriate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 documentation for further guidance. She is actively seeking training to further secure her knowledge. The risk of accidents on the premises and on outings are minimised by the childminder assessing risks and taking appropriate action. For example, a large fireguard prevents toddlers from falling on the hearth. Good systems are in place to document all information needed to safeguard children, for example parental and emergency contact details. Other records, such as the attendance register, medication and accidents, are accurately maintained in line with requirements. An extensive range of written policies and procedures are effectively implemented, to ensure children remain safe and secure at all times.

p.4

the early years provision

These are shared with parents to enable them to protect their child's welfare. The childminder has attended paediatric first aid training, and baby and child emergency life support training. She has a good supply of first aid equipment both in the house and in her car. Fire detection equipment is in place and the childminder has practised the emergency evacuation procedures. However, this has not been recorded to show how any problems encountered were resolved.

p.5

the early years provision

The good partnership with parents ensures that relevant information is exchanged; this enables the childminder to meet children's individual needs. Parents provide good information on children's initial routines and abilities. They are kept well informed of their child's care and learning, through daily verbal and written feedback. Good settling in procedures are individual to the child and parents' requirements. This means children are settled and secure in the childminder's home. She organises her premises, resources, documentation and routines very effectively to promote good outcomes for children. The childminder has only recently started minding children and has already begun to evaluate her own provision to identify priorities for improvement. She is seeking training to increase her knowledge and understanding, and has already attended a workshop in making the most of outdoor play. The childminder has a positive attitude to

p.5

the early years provision

inspection as a means of providing best practice. She has implemented advice from the local authority and meets up with other childminders to share good practice. The childminder has not had any need to work in partnership with other agencies or other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she does have a very good awareness of how these partnerships impact positively on children's development.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are confident, happy and settled in the childminder's home. She has a good awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses it effectively to promote good outcomes for children. The childminder provides a comfortable home environment, which enables children to move around safely accessing a range of appropriate toys and resources. She regularly takes children to the library, toy library, park and toddler group, to experience a wider variety of resources and promote their social skills. Good information is sought from parents on children's initial development. The childminder builds on this by making regular observations of the children, using annotated photographs, which provides an individual, lively, account of children's progress. However, these are not currently linked to the learning goals in order to identify learning priorities in all areas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Babies respond with pleasure to the childminder's good interaction. For example, they use positive facial and verbal expressions, as she uses a puppet to sing to them. She promotes their communication skills through talking about their games and daily routines. The childminder uses basic mathematical language and demonstrates with visual aids, such as using the big green cup and smaller yellow cup. Babies enjoy different sounds and explore the environment to experiment. For example, one child bangs their hands on the plastic mat, tears and screws up paper, then rolls a toy car on the wooden floor. The childminder extends this by providing musical instruments. Babies explore their toys using all their senses and are inquisitive. A good range of books are available and they enjoy sharing them with the childminder.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Babies access their own drinks to prevent them getting thirsty. The childminder protects them from illness through good procedures, and by keeping the premises and resources clean. She effectively meets their personal care needs and tired children sleep soundly in a travel cot. Babies build good relationships with the childminder and her family, and are provided with warm, gentle interaction. The childminder demonstrates how some toys work and babies repeat the actions, such as opening and closing the farmhouse door. They display pleasure from their own achievements and are motivated to try new skills, such as kicking and retrieving a ball. Babies have good opportunities to explore creative materials and make their own marks, for example in paint and flour. Children enjoy daily opportunities to be active and be outside. Good resources in the garden promote their physical skills, which impacts on their whole development.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8