Hawes, Samantha

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY252791 Inspection date 13/09/2010 Inspector Samantha Hunt

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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 assesses 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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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 has been registered since September 2003. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children who are aged 21, 18 and 11years. The family live in the rural village of Piddington, situated between High Wycombe and Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for child minding, with rest facilities upstairs. There is a secure rear garden available for outside play. The family have two cats and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at anyone time. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range, four children outside the early years age range and two children aged over eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder currently takes children to and collects them from Radnidge Church of England School and Stokenchurch, Cadmore End, and Mary Towerton Primary schools. The childminder holds an Introduction to Home based Practice qualification and is just beginning to go on and do her Level Three Diploma in Home based Practice.

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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 clearly happy and settled in the childminder's care. They play and learn in a well maintained environment, where the childminder provides them with a variety of learning opportunities that support their individual needs. Close working relationships between parents and the childminder help to support children's welfare. The childminder keeps up to date with current practice through regular training and has compiled a comprehensive range of documentation to support her. However, there are minor improvements needed to risk assessment documents. The childminder evaluates her provision to help her highlight areas of strength or weakness, and shows a clear desire to do her best for all the children she provides care for.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure the record of all risk assessments, clearly states when each was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 13/09/2010

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  practice the emergency evacuation procedures with all children regularly

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to ensuring children's safety and wellbeing is promoted at all times. Children are supervised well and all adult household members have been vetted to ensure they are suitable. She has attended up-to-date safeguarding children training and is clear about the procedures to follow should she have a concern about any of the children she cares for. The childminder carries out daily safety checks of her home. There are comprehensive risk assessments in place to cover everything the children may come into contact with. However, written records of risk assessment do not show when they where carried out or when they will be reviewed. This is a breach of regulation. The childminder has acted effectively on recommendations made at her last inspection. This includes ensuring her garden is now secure; this further enhances children's safety in the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a clear desire to move her practice forward and has completed further training since her last inspection. This has included food hygiene, Early Years Foundation Stage planning, first aid and Introduction to home-based childcare. The childminder is now about to start her level three diploma in home-based childcare at the end of this month. The childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and regularly seeks the views of parents to ensure she is meeting theirs and their children's needs. Documentation is maintained to support children's well-being. The childminder keeps accurate records of the children's attendance and any accidents they may have.

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the early years provision

There is a good selection of age appropriate toys available for children to self- select from toys chests, low cupboards and shelving around the home. The childminder has effective procedures in place to monitor children's development. She carries out regular observations on the children, and uses these to help her plan future activities to extend children's learning. Developmental observation records are regularly shared with parents and help them to feel involved in their children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder values the uniqueness of each child. She collates information about each child's individual needs prior to them starting, this includes dietary or religious needs. The childminder forms effective partnerships with parents and others. She has regular chats with staff at nursery or school when picking children up and liaises daily with parents. The childminder shares a comprehensive range of policies and procedures with parents when she meets them prior to children starting. This includes introducing them to her back up childminder and policies such as sickness, safeguarding, outings and how to make a complaint. However, the telephone number on the complaints poster is out of date. Letters seen from parent's show that they are clearly happy with the care the childminder gives to their children. They comment on her professionalism and feel she has clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

contributed to the development of their children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are forming close relationships with the childminder and her family. They eagerly greet the childminder's husband as he arrives home and give the childminder impromptu cuddles. Children have regular opportunities to mix with others as they meet up with other childminded children. The childminder sets clear rules and boundaries for all children, which are clearly displayed both in pictures and words to help all the children understand them. The childminder speaks calmly to the children and gives lots of positive praise and encouragement. Children are encouraged to take care of the toys they play with and happily help to tidy away the rockets into a box before going to choose some puzzles. Children develop good concentration skills as they eagerly complete several puzzles. They confidently request support from the childminder when they are not sure where a piece goes and clap with excitement when they have finished. The childminder demonstrates

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and outcomes for children

a good understanding of children's individual needs and stages of development. She involves herself enthusiastically in children's learning, interacting with them at their level and also sitting back to observe them as they achieve. For example, she encourages them to identify the outside pieces first when starting the puzzle and to count the pieces as they spread them out. She asks children questions that make them think and helps to extend their learning. Children show lots of confidence as they develop their physical skills on the trampoline. They bounce up and down, roll over and bounce from their bottom to standing for the first time. The childminder encourages the children to be independent and develop skills for the future. For example, she encourages children to put one shoe on whilst she helps with the other and lets children go off to the toilet by themselves whilst being on hand for support if they want her.

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and outcomes for children

Children become aware of their own safety through discussion and practice. Children know they need to take their shoes off before going onto the trampoline, and the childminder gives good explanation as she secures the net so they don't fall out. The childminder is clear about how to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency, but is unsure if she has practised it with all the children she looks after. Children's good health is promoted. There are regular opportunities to access fresh air and exercise in the garden and use large equipment, such as on ride on toys and a trampoline. The childminder works in partnership with parents and is happy to provide healthy meals for the children or store packed lunches from home in the kitchen. The childminder is registered with environmental health and carries out regular checks of the fridge to ensure it is the correct temperature. Meal times are a social occasion with children and the childminder engaging in

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and outcomes for children

happy conversation about events in their lives and their morning at nursery. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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