Lamb, Fiona Amanda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407051 Inspection date 06/10/2010 Inspector Kate Bryan

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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 2010. She lives with her partner and children aged five and two years in Tollerton in Nottinghamshire. The majority of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There is level access into the premises and there are steps into the rear garden. The family has a dog. The childminder drives or walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent, carer and toddler groups and takes children to the library and local park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early year's age range. There are currently 11 children on roll of which five are in the early year's age range. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder holds an early year's 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 happy and content at the home because the childminder knows them as individuals. She achieves this by working closely with parents so she can respond appropriately to children's changing needs. All children make good progress in their learning and development and they are actively engaged in a range of activities which they enjoy. Partnerships with other professionals and parents are used to promote good quality care to children and all required policies and procedures are in place. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation well to develop her service to children. This is the first inspection since registration.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that a health and safety policy is in place which includes procedures for reporting hazards.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to keep children safe and a clear policy is in place which states that her first responsibility is to the children in her care. Procedures demonstrate the childminder's clear awareness of who to report concerns to. All parents receive a copy of this so they know how their child will be safeguarded. All adults at the home have been vetted and children are never left with people who have not been cleared so their safety is well promoted. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a good range of measures in place to keep children safe and these include, socket covers, protective film for glass and restraints to cupboards in the kitchen. She also ensures she is always in the kitchen and garden with children which further enhances safety measures. The childminder explains to children how to keep themselves safe, for example, not touching the cooker and

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the early years provision

why this is important so they learn to be responsible for their own safety well. A suitable risk assessment is in place which also covers outdoor play and trips. However, a regular health and safety policy is not in place to cover anything with which the child may come into contact, this means safety is not maintained as effectively as possible.

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the early years provision

The childminder has all required policies and procedures in place and parents receive a copy of these so they understand how their child will be cared for. This includes a policy about sick children to ensure all children's health is well maintained. The childminder speaks to the parents daily about their child and each child has a daily diary so parents can share in their achievements. Parents have a good opportunity to comment on the service as they complete questionnaires and the childminder is happy to respond to any suggestions. The childminder also works well with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children as she regularly attends local playgroups and liaises with staff.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the 'Introduction to Childminding Practice' course and a first aid and food hygiene course. She also has a Level 3 childcare qualification and has identified further training, such as, safeguarding, to improve her range of knowledge. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation well to reflect upon her service and identify areas for development, such as, acquiring more resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of allowing children to explore their environment and easy access to the garden provides children with lots of opportunities to follow their own interests. For example, children enjoy being in the play house. Within the home they can ask for favourite stories and toys and these activities are well-balanced with activities which the childminder leads. For example, children are eager and excited to make cakes. The childminder uses activities well to promote children's progress across all areas of learning. For example, whilst children were baking they practised counting, learnt about estimating as they filled cake cases and thought about shapes. The childminder asks children questions about what they are doing and they are delighted when they receive praise for their efforts.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands the Early Years Foundation Stage well and establishes starting points based on where children are within the learning goals. From this, she devises a long term and weekly plan which ensures all six areas of learning are covered equally. Useful observations are in place and these help the childminder to complete an assessment of what children have achieved. This also This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 highlights the next step in children's learning and ensures they are always being challenged.

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and outcomes for children

Children have easy access to good quality resources, such as, a home corner, books, cars, a keyboard and puzzles. They are confident talkers and happily involve the childminder in their activities, for example, as they use play dough and equipment to create hair for figures. The childminder is promoting children's awareness of the wider environment well as they grow tomatoes and strawberries and use these to learn about healthy eating. They are also involved in re-cycling and use junk to make models so they understand how to make good use of a range of resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder explains to children about how to keep healthy and good measures, such as, regular hand washing, the use of liquid soap and paper towels, effectively reduces cross-contamination.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy outings into the local community which includes parks, where they have access to large equipment, such as, climbing frames and swings, which offer them a good range of challenges. They also go to toddler groups and the library which also presents them with good opportunities to socialise. The childminder also helps children to develop an awareness of the wider world, for example, as they complete topic work on different countries and understands how to help children with English as an additional language to settle at her home.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and are beginning to understand how to work together. They understand simple rules, such as, sharing and are beginning to contribute to the life of the home by tidying away toys. 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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