Seddon, Helen Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY404495 Inspection date 19/07/2010 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and two young children aged 6 years and 4 years. Their home is a detached house in the village of Lockeridge near Marlborough in Wiltshire. The whole of the property is available for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are local amenities within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children within the Early Years Register, of these, no more than two may be within the early years age range, in addition the childminder is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Care is provided on a full or part-time basis throughout the year. After school care is available, currently the childminder minds two children on a part time basis within the Early Years Register.

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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 clearly enjoy the time they spend with this dedicated and energetic childminder. The childminder plans a variety of worthwhile activities, which fully supports children's learning in all areas. These activities are flexible and follow children's interests very well. This careful tailoring of activities ensures all children become engaged in the activities and get the most out of them. The childminder understands the importance of reflecting on her practice, she clearly understands the areas to improve to benefit the welfare and education of all children she minds.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider including the next steps of children's learning in their development records  review measures used to safeguard children within the kitchen area

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. Full written risk assessments are undertaken on all areas used by the children, which include the kitchen area. However, an area for improvement is to be considered within the kitchen as children could, if left unsupervised, access cleaning materials. Nevertheless the childminder does work to a low ratio, so the likelihood is minimal. All adults living at the property have been fully vetted. The childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and the procedure to follow should she have any concerns. She takes care to keep the regulator, Ofsted, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informed of significant changes to her provision. The childminder has a full range of policies and procedures that well reflect her practice; she also maintains all required documentation to support the daily management of her provision. As a

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the early years provision

direct result of all of these actions, children are well safeguarded.

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the early years provision

The childminder is consistently reflecting and reviewing her daily practice, she is building up her own system to self reflect on her daily routines, which as a result ensures outcomes for children are good. She makes effective use of this process to identify any areas for possible development, such as further training needs. The childminder promotes equality and diversity, recognising each child as an individual with a particular set of needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established effective relationships with all parents and other settings which children attend. She welcomes all families to her setting, taking time to find out from parents about children’s favourite activities and interests, and to discuss their general levels of development. The childminder makes time each day to share information with the parents and discuss any concerns. Although parents are kept well informed about their children's learning, the childminder does not as yet further encourage next steps in children's learning, which would be a very good way to promote continuous learning with parents. She promotes good partnerships with other early years settings children may attend. The childminder has a good range of resources which are freely accessible to children.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in this setting as the childminder is friendly, very attentive to their needs and familiar with their individual requirements. They have clearly formed close and trusting relationships with the childminder and are confident to go off and explore knowing she is on hand to support them. The childminder tailors activities to ensure they offer each child sufficient challenge to enable them to move on to the next stage. When looking at books the childminder fully engages with the children, encouraging them to make the sounds of the animals and then rotating this to what does the dog say. In addition, role play and probing questions are used to develop children's understanding of making cups of tea and lighting the Barbeque. Through simple activities such as these the childminder is effectively covering all of the areas of learning. The childminder makes good use of the outdoor environment for learning and the children are able

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and outcomes for children

Children's records show that all children are making steady progress in their learning. The childminder plans activities, which are flexible and focus on the emotional needs of the children during the day, which capture children's interests. As a result, children become fully engaged in the activities on offer. The childminder does not maintain details of the next steps of children's learning. She is very aware of each child's stage of development but this information is not easily accessed if a parent was to be reading their children's records away from the childminder's. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's behaviour is sensitively managed. The childminder makes good use of discussion and distraction to consolidate feeling for others. She supports children very well, developing their social skills, through consistently going out within the local community. She achieves this through attending local groups such as those

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and outcomes for children

offering music sessions for children. Children are taught about how to keep themselves safe through simple yet effective activities, such as learning to stop, look and listen before crossing the road.

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and outcomes for children

Children are safeguarded from the spread of infection as the childminder encourages them to follow simple everyday routines, such as hand washing. They learn about healthy eating and how a balanced diet promotes good health, through role play for example. 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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