Devlin, Tracy Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY339854 Inspection date 28/09/2010 Inspector Anne Nicolson

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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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her two school aged children in a residential area close to Binfield, Bracknell, Winkfield Row and Easthampstead within Berkshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, however, upstairs tends to be used for sleeping younger children and occasionally for older children to play. There is access to outdoor play and also goes to several nearby parks. The family have a pet rabbit and guinea-pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Year register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 seven children, four of whom are in the Early Years age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from several local pre-school, nurseries regularly. She receives support from her Local Authority Early Years Advisors.

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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's welfare, learning and development requirements remain effectively met as the childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to implement it to meet their individual needs. Children build strong relationships with the childminder and display as confident and secure in her care. They settle quickly and build strong bonds with their peers, enjoying their company and interacting in play with them. Their health and safety is effectively supported through the daily routines, policies and procedures in place. Risk assessments are regularly completed and a more through risk assessment is completed each month, these ensure that the premises are free from potential hazards and enables children to play in a safe and secure environment. Children make good progress in their learning and development through her recording observational assessments of their development, and she uses these records to

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

provide activities that promote their identified next steps for learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that parents have free access to developmental records about their child only (for example, the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile) and are able to view these easily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  continue to develop the process of recording observational assessments and next steps of learning ensuring these clearly link into the six areas of learning and identify children's overall progress

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the early years provision

Children remain effectively safeguarded as the childminder ensures that her premises remain free from hazards and she provides clear information on how they can remain safe whilst out or playing within the home. There are a comprehensive range of policies and procedures, promoting what she provides, health and safety, which she reviews regularly and shares with parents. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the signs and symptoms of possible child abuse and the procedures she would follow to ensure children remain safeguarded. She shares this with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her previous experience of working within a nursery setting when planning activities and play opportunities for the children. Children benefit from being able to freely-select a good range of resources that stimulate their play and learning needs. Daily routines enable the children some structure, they are aware that after lunch and play it is time for school. She has effective systems for the systematic observational assessment of children's learning and development and uses these to plan future activities to support their developmental progress. She reviews her provision and sets herself targets to work towards, planning and testing activities before she attempts them with the children was one of these.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents is excellent and there are also good links in place with other professionals who provide care for the children. Feedback from parents reflects how highly they regard and trust her, and how much their children enjoy attending. The childminder involves parents in their children's development and shares information about children's progress and interests in a daily diary. Parents can access their children's achievement records although currently these require reviewing to ensure that parents can only access their own child's and that children's overall progress is identified. This helps parents and the childminder to work cohesively to build on children's experiences and newly acquired skills. Children attend other provisions as well as the childminder's and she establishes a two-way flow of information in order to provide continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shows an excellent awareness of children's individual needs and characters. She has a good understanding of how children learn and develop providing a range of play resources and creative activities that promote their progress through the early learning goals. She seeks information from the parents about their children's likes, dislikes and abilities and builds on these by providing a stimulating environment with a range of appropriately challenging activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children enjoy playing alongside the childminder and demonstrate that they are very happy in her company. The childminder observes children whilst playing with them and records their activities within her observation book, currently all children's observations are recorded within the same book, however, the childminder also records some of this information in the children's daily diaries. She

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and outcomes for children

uses these to identify their next possible steps and mentally plan activities that will support further progress. The childminder reflects on her practice and through this, and parental feedback, she has updated her policies and started to plan ahead by deciding on what opportunities and creative activities she would like to offer and practicing these before doing them with the children to ensure that they have the optimum experience. Older children enjoy making Ants out of clay and younger children are involved by accessing play dough at the same table so they feel involved.

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and outcomes for children

Children show good levels of confidence as they explore their environment and self-select resources for themselves. They enjoy completing puzzles and there are a range of puzzles in differing stages of difficulty to support the individual needs of each child. Children enjoy playing with the shopping trolley and Sylvanian Family Caravan making tea for the adults present and cooking food for the toys. They show independence as they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet independently. Children are encouraged to try to complete tasks for themselves; the childminder provides verbal directions and support. When a child really wants assistance the childminder and other children are there to support each other to enable this. They have time to explore their own activities and are given clear instructions on how long they have left before the school run. During their play they receive praise and encouragement and this boosts their self-esteem

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and outcomes for children

and confidence. Children have their safety and health well supported. They receive clear instructions on how to remain safe whilst playing at home or going out in the car or the park. 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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