Hemmings-Elkan, Francesca

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399557 Inspection date 05/07/2010 Inspector Deborah Jane Starr

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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 lives with her partner in Patchway, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The premises is accessible at ground level. The family have three cats, and a rabbit in a hutch in the garden. Minded children may have supervised contact with the pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. Of these, no more than three may be within the early years age group and of these, not more than one may be under one year old. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She also provides overnight care for one child and care for older children on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently cares for one child on a full-time basis within the early years age range and two children on a

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Description of the childminding

part-time basis within the age range of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools, pre-schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She takes children to the local parks, library, local toddler group and local places of interest.

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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

The childminder effectively identifies, plans and meets the individual needs of each child in her care, enabling her to promote their welfare and development effectively. The childminder's good knowledge and understanding of how children learn through a varied range of activities supports children to make good progress in their learning and development. Good partnerships with parents ensures continuity in children's care, learning and development; initial information gained, however, does not focus sufficiently on children's capabilities. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment towards developing her practice and targeting future plans for continuous improvement. Good use of self-evaluation enables the childminder to identify her strengths and areas for development, thus, ensuring the outcomes for children are good.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessment arrangements to ensure that children's starting points and capabilities are clear as to what they know and do  extend resources that reflect diversity and offer regular experiences that promote an awareness of others and the diversity of the wider world. 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 a good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the procedures she should follow if she has a concern about a child. Appropriate arrangements ensure all adults in the household have undergone appropriate vetting procedures. Consequently, children's well-being is safeguarded. Effective risk assessments on all areas of her home and outings, alongside daily visual checks, ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Good documentation is in place to safeguard children and all required records are well maintained, organised and shared with parents. Children easily access an interesting range of toys and resources that support their play and are extended through attendance at a varied range of local community groups and resources such as the library.

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the early years provision

The childminder has thoughtfully evaluated her practice since her recent registration and, as a result, the outcomes for children are good. For example, she has reviewed her environment and adjusted the layout of her home, reorganising space to support children's emerging mobility both within the home and garden. She has purchased additional equipment enabling children to make increased independent choices. She has regular contact with her local lead childminder and acts upon her advice. The childminder has a good understanding of her strengths and weaknesses, clearly identified areas for improvement and accessed training to develop her knowledge and skills. She has sought the advice of other agencies, reflected upon her environment and taken steps to further enhance children's safety and health by minimising further the risk of cross contamination.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds good relationships with parents. They are well informed about her practice through frequent discussion and personal copies of written policies and procedures. She frequently exchanges information about children's progress, with both their parents and significant extended family members. Consequently, each child is highly valued and their individual needs are identified and met. The childminder understands her responsibility to establish partnerships with other early years providers when appropriate. This does not currently apply.

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and outcomes for children

Sensitive settling in procedures and liaison with parents ensure that children new to the setting are content and that the childminder has good knowledge of their care and welfare needs. Young children are secure and confidently explore their environment, approaching unfamiliar adults without hesitation and eagerly interact with others. Children's confidence and self-esteem increases as they respond with beaming smiles to frequent praise and excellent eye contact with the childminder. Children make good progress because the childminder uses her observations of what children know and do to accurately plan for their next steps in learning. Discussion and information gained from parents about their children when they first start gives a good overview. However, this does not sufficiently focus on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's development and, therefore, does not fully contribute to the assessment

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and outcomes for children

process. The childminder's interaction supports children's learning and development ensuring children are intrigued and stimulated by appropriate resources and activities. For example, children's communication skills are supported and promoted through the repetition and mirroring of sounds, alongside the use of basic Makaton signs. Children are very interested in the world around them, they eagerly explore the good quality resources. For example, young children are encouraged to develop their senses and demonstrate emerging problem solving skills as they bang on an inflatable toy to make the contents move and make a variety of sounds. Children begin to show listening skills and concentration alongside recognition of cause and effect as they repeatedly press a button to make a tune play. The childminder shows good knowledge of children's interests and reflects this in the resources set out, such as opportunities to explore

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and outcomes for children

textured household items. Children develop a sense of their local community through visits to local parks and toddler groups. However, opportunities to develop an awareness of the wider world through a varied range of resources and experiences that reflect diversity are few.

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and outcomes for children

Children are supported well to develop an awareness of a safe and healthy lifestyle. They have daily opportunities to be out in the fresh air in the garden and to develop coordination and balance on child-sized equipment in local parks. Equipment within the home supports their emerging physical skills, such as walkers and low-level furniture to support muscle development. They enjoy healthy balanced meals, access drinks from their own beakers and their hands are washed before and after eating. Babies sleep and are fed and changed according to their individual needs. Sleeping children are within view at all times. Regular practise of the emergency evacuation procedures and developing awareness of road safety, promotes children's awareness of how to keep themselves safe. 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 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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