Blair, Vicky Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392463 Inspection date 24/06/2010 Inspector Lucy Showell

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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 2009. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-minder's house in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The co-minder's husband and two children aged 13 and nine years old live at the property. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The majority of the house, excluding the main bedroom, is used for minding and this includes a downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may provide care for six children at any one time, of whom three may be within the early years age group. She currently has three children on roll, both within the early years age range. Whilst working with a co-childminder she may care for seven children, of whom five may be in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level two childcare qualification and 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 cared for in a welcoming, homely environment. The childminder celebrates the uniqueness of each child in her care and works hard to establish valuable relationships with parents. Children’s individual needs are inclusively met and their routines followed with regard to the requirements and preferences discussed with parents. Children make good progress in their learning as they enjoy a variety of well organised and stimulating activities. The childminder demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvement through attending many additional training courses to develop knowledge and skills further.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the complaints policy to include the procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents  review the safeguarding children policy following the guidance set out in the publication 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused'  recognise the value of continuous quality improvement and how these processes can 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 children are well protected by the childminder who has clear knowledge of safeguarding procedures and guidance information is available if she is concerned about a child. However, the written information in place does not reflect this. She maintains most up to date information, such as, a good range of robust policies and procedures although the complaints procedure lacks some detail. Other information, such as, certificates, registration and insurance documents and details of the activities carried out are shared effectively with parents who receive a CD- rom of information and sign in agreement to the terms.

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the early years provision

She has a clear knowledge of her responsibilities with regard to conditions of registration and how to meet the welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. All necessary records are maintained for hours of attendance, medication, accidents and existing injuries and all parental consents are in place. Suitability checks are completed and the childminder shares required information with Ofsted regarding other adults in the house to ensure their suitability can be accessed as necessary. Space and resources are organised well and the childminder checks her co-minders home regularly to ensure hazards are kept to a minimum. For example, the house is secure and equipment is suitable and safe for the ages of children attending. Clear and detailed risk assessments are in place and records of the checks carried out and any actions taken are maintained effectively.

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the early years provision

Preliminary self evaluation and monitoring systems are being developed and the childminder is able to assess her strengths well. However, priorities to improve the outcomes for children have not been fully identified in her written self evaluation document. She holds a recognised childcare qualification and hopes to use the knowledge and skills developed through the additional training attended to develop her practice. She regularly reviews her documentation and checks the quality and suitability of resources to ensure sustainability of her provision. She works well with parents by providing useful information about her services, obtains valuable information from parents before care commences regarding children's health and welfare needs and daily news is shared effectively. Parents are invited to offer their opinions of the childminding services on a regular basis.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled in this warm and welcoming environment. Their sense of belonging is promoted as they are encouraged to self select from the range of toys available which are age appropriate and promote positive images of diversity. The childminder adopts a calm approach to the children encouraging good behaviour through gentle reminders during play. Children learn the importance of keeping safe and show awareness of others through opportunities to share and take turns with favourite resources. They show good awareness of their personal hygiene as some fetch tissues to blow their noses and take care of their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 own toileting needs. Space is organised effectively and provides children with opportunities for messy play, free and physical activities and relaxation or sleep. Children enjoy packed lunches, provided by their parents and served by the

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and outcomes for children

childminder, when required and freely access individual drinks through the day to ensure they are suitably hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children in her care and fosters their individual needs appropriately. A clear system for recording individual progress across the six areas of learning and development is established. She recognises children’s achievements through observations during play and provides stimulating and well-organised experiences to encourage further development. She liaises effectively with parents sharing beautiful examples of their work, photographs of various fun activities and her written observations to gain their opinions. The childminder interacts well with the children asking age appropriate questions and responding positively to their actions. There is a good balance of adult led and freely chosen or child initiated activities. At the setting children select favourite resources set out by the childminder or choose additional items from the playroom.

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and outcomes for children

They enjoy playing games and reading favourite stories with the childminder. They get creative as the make marks in the glupe, use potatoes to print and choose from a large selection of collage materials to make pictures. They thread pasta tubes and cotton reels in patterns and count the butterflies that they catch in the nets whilst playing a game and are engrossed as they pretend to be the shopkeeper and give out the change to the customers. Outdoor opportunities are delivered through good use of the garden and local park where children can enjoy the fresh air whilst using a range of traditional equipment. On the swings children shout ‘higher, lower or faster, slower’, they roll balls down the guttering tubes and enjoy a range of action songs and ring games. Additional experiences, such as, hunting for mini-beasts, caring for next doors guinea pig and planting and watering in the garden provide children with lovely opportunities to explore and

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and outcomes for children

investigate the world around them. 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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