Robbins Alison

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 219872 Inspection date 21/04/2010 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and one child aged 13 years in Shefford, Bedfordshire, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The family has one dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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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

A well developed knowledge of each child's needs makes sure that the childminder successfully promotes children's welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and enjoy the childminder's inclusive and individual care and attention. The effective partnership with parents is a key strength and contributes to making sure that the needs of all children are well met. This means that children progress well, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation and this continues to be developed to ensure that well targeted plans for the future are identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for the observation and assessment of the children to clearly show how the snippet and monthly records link with each other to plan the next steps in children's learning and development and monitor the records of observations to ensure a balance across the six areas of learning  obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and keep for reference  continue to develop the system of self-evaluation and quality improvement processes to extend effective practice and help improve outcomes for every child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised written policies and procedures to go alongside the required documentation that is kept up to date and underpins her daily activity with the children. For example, comprehensive risk assessments and procedures for safeguarding contribute to children's safety and welfare. The childminder has a copy of the contact telephone numbers for the Local Safeguarding Children Board. However, although she is aware of the importance of recording and reporting any concerns she does not currently have a copy of the guidelines to follow. Safety is given high priority. The childminder maintains close supervision of the children, she encourages them to help with tidying away when they have finished playing and talks to them about road safety when out walking. Children benefit from the effective use that is made of the available space. Quiet activities such as reading stories take place in the living room while most of the activities are available in the

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the early years provision

play room. Children enjoy using the spacious garden that has plenty of equipment to promote their physical skills.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the positive, inclusive working relationships the childminder has built with their parents. She shares daily information about the child's routine and activities they have enjoyed both verbally when they are collected and through detailed records and photographs in a diary. Parents have regular access to their child's observation and assessment records and the childminder seeks information from parents about the child's interests and achievements at home. The childminder is aware of the importance of developing partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure a smooth transition and a consistent approach for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation to identify areas of strong practice and to ensure that well targeted plans for future development are in place. However, she has identified this as an area she wishes to continue to develop. She has taken appropriate action on the recommendations made at the previous inspection and demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement. She is keen to involve the children's parents in the process and has sought their views about the service she provides through testimonials and a questionnaire.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time at this friendly and welcoming provision. The childminder organises her commitments to ensure that she is able to give each child plenty of individual attention and makes great efforts to meet their individual needs. She knows them well and is able to anticipate their needs effectively. When children arrive they are confident to ask the childminder for the toys they want to play with and this continues during the day as children ask for different items. The childminder provides a range of child-led and free choice activities as well as planned art and craft, walks and outings or baking. Children show that they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 familiar with the daily routines and begin to understand the need to maintain personal hygiene. For example they wash their hands or use anti-bacterial gel before eating their snack. Children are protected from the risk of cross-infection

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and outcomes for children

because the childminder follows effective procedures during nappy changes and food preparation. Children's meals are provided by their parents although the childminder discusses any dietary needs to enable her to offer dinks and snacks to the children. The childminder's gentle and calm approach and her willingness to become involved in children's play reduces any behaviour management issues. However, she has clear boundaries in place and children understand the expectations for behaviour. They begin to learn about safety through discussion with the childminder about helping to tidy away the toys, through taking part in emergency evacuation drills and through discussion about road safety when out walking.

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and outcomes for children

Children are treated as individuals and with respect. The childminder takes time to get to know them and plans activities around their interests. Children begin to learn about the wider world through a range of carefully planned and meaningful activities such as an art and craft activity to make a sparkly crown to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Children's achievements are recorded by the childminder in a scrap book that contains written observations, photographs and samples of their work. The childminder records a detailed observation each month that includes a next step for learning and regular snippet observations on sticky notes. These records are shared with parents and the children show a real ownership of their files. For example, they proudly show their art and craft work and point themselves out in the photographs. However, although the observations are linked to the relevant areas of learning there is not currently a system in place to demonstrate a

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and outcomes for children

balance of observations across each of the six areas, the next steps identified on the monthly observation are not linked to future observations or to the planning of activities and therefore children's progression is not always clearly demonstrated. Children enjoy the childminder's positive interaction and respond to her praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. Lots of talking during the play and looking at books together promotes children's vocabulary. Children play purposefully with resources such as a farm set and Duplo bricks. They build structures and join the tractors and trailers together to transport the animals. The childminder is skilled at engaging children in their chosen activities and they demonstrate that they feel happy and safe in her home. 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 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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