Brotherton, Lucy Claire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405764 Inspection date 13/10/2010 Inspector Sarah Williams

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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 by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Child Care Register in 2010. She lives in a house in Lawford, Essex with her husband and 2 children. All areas of the property are used for childminding. Children share access to a secure enclosed outdoor play area. A maximum of 2 children aged from 1 to under 5 years may attend the setting at any one time. The setting also offers care to children aged up to 8 years. She is currently caring for 4 children on a part time basis. The childminder attends a parent and toddler group and visits the local library, park and playground.

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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 has a very secure understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage which enables her to provide children with a wide and varied range of inclusive play opportunities and activities based on children's interests and developmental stages. All necessary information is gathered from parents and carers, enabling the childminder to provide an individual approach to each child's care. Highly robust systems and effective daily routines result in an environment where children are safe and secure. The childminder has established a system for self-evaluation to enable her to continue to develop her practice in a positive way and secure further improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for parents to feed back and contribute fully to their child's developmental profiles (the learning journeys).

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures children are fully safeguarded at all times. She has a full understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and has developed clearly defined procedures for following up any concerns about children's welfare. Through the completion of all necessary checks, the childminder has confirmed her own suitability and that of other household members, as well as her assistant. All paperwork and documentation is maintained to a high standard to promote the efficient and safe management of the provision and support children's care and learning needs. Robust risk assessments are undertaken regularly, and recorded, to ensure children remain safe and secure in all areas of the home and during outings. A good range of toys and resources, rotated frequently, are available at low level and set out on the floor within easy reach of babies and younger children. Household and natural resources are used to good effect to

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provide a treasure basket for babies to explore and develop all their senses.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes a highly professional approach to every aspect of her practice and she has completed all the required training, including accreditation, enabling her to receive nursery education vouchers. She has completed a self- evaluation form as a tool to review her practice and identify the aspects of her practice she plans to build on. This ensures all aspects of her practice are considered and priorities for improvement are fully focused. There is an effective policy regarding inclusive practice and the childminder clearly recognises that every child is an individual and therefore unique. A good range of resources that reflect diversity are provided and backed up with art and craft activities as appropriate to celebrate festivals and world cultures. The multicultural books and puzzles reinforce positive messages regarding diversity. Although the childminder does not currently care for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities,

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the early years provision

she demonstrates a positive attitude to adapting the provision to meet children's specific needs and linking up with outside professionals for support and advice.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very effective. The childminder fosters professional yet supportive relationships with parents, ensuring they feel at ease in discussing their children's changing needs on a daily basis. Each child's daily diary is used to encourage a meaningful exchange of information between the child's home and the setting. For example, the childminder details the activities children have enjoyed as well as their eating and sleeping routines. Parents responded very positively to a questionnaire, designed and distributed by the childminder, to gather their views about the provision. The completed questionnaires highlighted the desire of parents to be fully included in contributing to the children's developmental records. The childminder meets regularly with other childminders which provides a good supportive network for her and the minded children. The childminder is beginning to develop links with the local pre-school and primary

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the early years provision

school which aids the continuity of care and open communication for the children attending other Early Years settings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered a well thought out range of stimulating and purposeful play opportunities which promotes their progress across all six areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are clearly very secure in their surroundings and content in the childminder's care, they form close, warm bonds with her and her assistant. Babies respond well to the childminder's calm, confident approach, smiling and interacting whilst playing with their toys as well as during routine care. Children have space to move around independently as they play in the homely, child-centred environment. For example, the hallway is turned into a 'school' for role play, whilst the lounge floor has play mats set out for small world play with the popular vehicles and fantasy figures. Children are beginning to show an understanding of sharing, demonstrating their developing social skills and early awareness of taking turns. Children benefit from daily opportunities to play

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and outcomes for children

outside in the childminder's garden which is fully equipped for various types of play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and exploration. Here children can develop and explore their interest in mini beasts and spiders webs. They also visit the zoo for close-up experiences of wild animals and an exciting day out. The childminder's routines include daily walks to and from school, providing good opportunities to develop their observational skills, for example, spotting birds and construction vehicles. Children's designing and making skills are encouraged by sessions of modelling using found and recycled materials, whilst early mark-making is promoted with a range of art and craft resources and tools.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes children as they play and uses her knowledge of how children learn and develop to extend their progress. For example, she offers dressing up clothes which enhances imaginative play and challenges children to manipulate buttons and zips. Outings include taking children to an indoor adventure park to develop their physical skills, such as climbing, in a safe yet exciting environment. The childminder effectively draws her observations together to form a developmental record, or learning journey, for each child. These are clearly linked to the aspects of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage and effectively identifies the next steps in learning. Consequently, children's progress towards the early learning goals is good and is very clearly charted in the learning journeys, which are regularly shared with parents and carers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a very clean and hygienic environment. Snacks and meals comprising healthy options are provided by the childminder, or, when parents supply packed lunches or babies' milk feeds, these are thoughtfully prepared and served appropriately. Children's preferences and home routines are respected and incorporated, meeting their individual needs. Mealtimes are relaxed and social occasions, with help always close at hand, although children are fully encouraged to become proficient in feeding themselves when they are ready to do so. Children understand and follow hand washing routines, helping to prevent the spread of infection. All necessary safety measures are in place, including highchairs and booster seats. The regular emergency evacuation practises, help children learn how to stay safe. The childminder is fully committed to extending her practice to include new and stimulating activities for the children, ensuring that they remain

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and outcomes for children

engaged and continue to benefit from the developmental opportunities and care provided. 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 1 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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