Crosby, Lisa Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407645 Inspection date 15/11/2010 Inspector Diane Turner

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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 April 2010. She lives with her partner and son aged 20 months in a three storey town house in Leeds in West Yorkshire. Her adult son is registered to work as a childminder from her home but does not live on the premises. The whole of the ground floor, one bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor and a bedroom and the bathroom on the second floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the premises for outdoor play and a dog is kept at the home.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for five children under eight years at any one time, two of whom may be within the early years age group. When working with her co- childminder the number of children who may be cared for at any one time can be increased to 11 under eight years, five of whom may be within the early years age group. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for two children and is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently has nine children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age group. They all attend on a part-time basis.

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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 cared for in a welcoming and child-orientated environment where they are offered a good range of learning experiences, including regular opportunities to explore activities on offer within their local community. Documentation is maintained effectively in most cases and systems are in place to track children's progress, however, these are not yet fully developed. Good relationships are fostered with all parents, with good communication ensuring information about children's individual needs is shared very effectively. Good attention is paid to monitoring and evaluating the service through close partnership working with the co-childminder and input from parents. This ensures continuous improvement is promoted and the outcomes for children enhanced.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a written record is kept of all medicines administered to children (Documentation). 15/11/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for assessing children's progress. 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 understanding of safeguarding children. She gives high priority to ensuring they are cared for in a safe environment and is fully aware of her responsibilities in regards to child protection issues. She is able to recognise the possible indicators of abuse and to confidently discuss the procedure she would follow if she had any concerns about a child's welfare. The childminder ensures her home is well organised, enabling children to move about freely. For example, they confidently move between the rooms, choosing their own activities and resources, knowing where items, such as paper and crayons are stored. Well- written policies and procedures are in place to show how the service operates and these are shared effectively with the parents. Documentation is well organised, with each child having an individual file, to ensure confidentiality. The childminder is vigilant in maintaining a record of children's attendance and any accidents, and

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the early years provision

ensures written parental permission is obtained to administer non-prescription medication, such as pain relief. Parents are contacted if the childminder feels this needs to be given and informed verbally of the time it was administered. However, the childminder does not keep a written record of this, which is a welfare requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder enjoys her role and is committed to providing good quality childcare. In conjunction with her co-childminder she constantly strives to improve her service. For example, since registering a lot of improvements have been made to the garden, such as installing an awning over the decked area to provide shelter from the sun and providing an area for the children to use large equipment, such as the trampoline safely. The range of toys and resources has been extended, particularly those to support children's role play, and the childminder has identified further areas for improvement. For example, plans are in place to provide an area where children can plant and grow a wider range of vegetables.

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the early years provision

The childminder pays good attention to promoting equality and diversity. For example, she actively encourages the children to learn about the diverse society in which they live by celebrating festivals from other cultures. She works closely with providers of other settings the children also attend, to promote a shared approach to their care and learning. The childminder values each child highly as an individual. She ensures she is fully informed of their individual needs and care routines through close partnership working with parents, enabling her to provide additional support when needed. Parents are provided with good information when the placement begins and kept fully informed of their child's day through in-depth discussion on collection. On the inspection visit parents were keen to express their confidence in the setting and to stress how much their child enjoys attending. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively promotes and supports the children's learning in all areas, which ensures they make good progress given their age, ability and starting points. For example, she provides activity toys to promote children's understanding of how things work and encourages their understanding of mathematical concepts, such as shape, as they use shape sorters. She encourages them to develop their vocabulary through talking about the animals depicted on resources, such as jigsaws, and she shows them how to write their name and to learn the letters and sounds that make this up. The childminder interacts well with the children as they play and is clearly very proud of their achievements, excitedly sharing her observations of any new skills they master with her co-childminder and their parents. The children clearly feel safe in the childminder's care and this is particularly evident as they settle quickly for their nap.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides many worthwhile opportunities for the children to learn about their own community and areas further afield. For example, they attend the local toddler and childminder groups each week, visit the local library, and shop where they help to find items the childminder needs and learn about using money. Photographs show them thoroughly enjoying a day out at the seaside and taking part in a community play day. The childminder has started to keep a learning journey for each child to monitor their progress, which includes written observations and photographic evidence. However, she has not yet begun to use the information to make regular summative assessments of the children's progress in all areas, to ensure there are no gaps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides lots of opportunities for the children to develop their physical skills and to enjoy the benefits of fresh air. For example, they go for walks to observe nature, and visit the local park and a soft play provision each week. The childminder provides all meals for the children, including a nutritious cooked tea, with items, such as chicken curry and rice, on the menu. The children also grow their own tomatoes and peppers in the garden which are included in the meals. Children are taught the importance of hand washing from an early age and the childminder follows effective hygiene routines, such as wearing disposable gloves when changing nappies. All of which, helps to prevent the spread of infection. The children behave well because they know what is expected of them and are they encouraged to make a positive contribution to the setting. For example, they know not to bring their drinking cups into the lounge and to sit at the table to eat. They

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and outcomes for children

learn about recycling household items and about composting and using rain water from the butt to water the plants. They practise the emergency evacuation procedures for the home each month which ensures they know what to do in the event of a fire and they learn to cross the road safely when out in the community. 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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