Brotherhood, Sarah Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY341597 Inspection date 18/11/2010 Inspector K A 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and eight years in the Broughton Astley area of Leicestershire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is a secure garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to a local school to take and collect children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children under eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age range. Currently there are 11 children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range, the childminder also cares for older children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and also attends carer and toddler groups.

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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 valued as individuals at the home and the childminder works well to ensure she provides a variety of activities which engage and interest them. All relevant details are taken from parents to ensure the childminder can respond quickly to children's changing needs and this ensures they are always fully included in the life of the home. However, systems are not yet in place to work with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children. Mostly all children make good progress in their learning and development and a good range of resources allows children to make choices. All required policies and procedures are in place and the childminder understands how to use self-evaluation well to further her practice. All recommendations made at the last inspection have been implemented.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's awareness of the wider world and other cultures  ensure that children's starting points are linked to the areas of learning  develop systems to work with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children

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the early years provision

The childminder is clear about her responsibility to safeguard children and she has attended training in this area. A written policy is shared with parents so they understand how their children will be protected from harm and the childminder has a good awareness of who to contact in order to report any concerns. All adults at the home have been checked and children are never left with people who have not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 been cleared.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good range of measures in place to keep children safe, for example, socket covers and a stair gate, and regular fire drills are practised so children learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. The childminder talks to children about keeping safe when they are out so they learn about road safety and she explains simple rules within the home, such as no running. The childminder encourages children to think about the consequences of their actions so they can learn about safe risk taking and how to negotiate hazards well. A comprehensive risk assessment is updated regularly and includes procedures for outings and using the garden, and daily equipment checks to ensure resources are safe for children to use.

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the early years provision

Parents receive a good range of information from the childminder, for example all required policies and procedures are in place and parents have read through these so they understand how their children will be cared for. Each child has a comprehensive daily diary, which parents can also comment in and this provides them with a detailed account of their children's time at the home. However, effective systems are not yet in place to work with others who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to children, which means their continuity of care is not promoted as effectively as possible.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a range of training which includes risk assessments, Working Effectively with Parents, food hygiene; health and safety, behaviour management, equal opportunities and the 'Introduction to Childminding Practice' course which demonstrates her good commitment to providing a quality service to children and developing her own practice. The childminder uses self- evaluation well to identify areas for development, such as making children more aware of the wider world. She also uses this as a working document to update her practice and so maintains continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a wide range of outdoor activities as they spend time at a variety of parks which provide a wide range of experiences. For example, a sand park helps children to learn about problem solving as they use pulleys and containers to hoist sand, and a skate park provides children with scooters and the opportunity to negotiate obstacles and ramps. Another park has large equipment, such as swings and climbing frames which helps all children to enjoy physical challenges. The childminder helps children to develop a good awareness of their community as they go on trips, which include the museum, parks, swimming pool and the library. However, children's awareness of the wider world is not promoted as effectively as possible because the childminder has not fully considered introducing children to a range of cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a growing awareness of the natural world as they grow sunflowers and lettuce; the childminder then links this with healthy eating so they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understand how their environment affects them. Children also recycle as they make shakers out of kitchen roll tubes. Children enjoy shape sorting and counting and the childminder has acquired resources for these so children can learn through having fun.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and have devised simple rules to ensure a happy and calm atmosphere at the home, for example, respecting each other. This also helps them to understand what is expected of them. The childminder works well to ensure all children feel included at the home and rewards good behaviour with lots of praise so children's self-esteem is well promoted. She has also thought about how to help children with English as an additional language feel settled by involving all children in using key words and obtaining resources which show the child's home language. Therefore, all children's needs are met well.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has attended training in this area; she can therefore effectively plan activities for children. Good observations and photos clearly show children enjoy a range of activities and the childminder effectively identifies the next steps in children's learning to help them make progress. Each child has a 'Learning Journey'which is shared with parents; however, starting points are not linked to the areas of learning so children's progress is not promoted as effectively as possible.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has made good use of her home to provide children with the freedom to explore their surroundings. A designated play room offers children lots of opportunities to make choices about what they would like to play with. Children's work is displayed around the home which makes them feel valued. The childminder clearly knows the children well and has devised activities which focus on their interests, for example, using sticky notes to identify objects of a certain colour. This also helps children develop mark-making skills. The childminder engages children in lots of talk and they are clearly settled and happy with her.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about being healthy because the childminder explains to them why they wash their hands regularly. Children also use liquid soap and a clean towel daily which helps prevent any cross-contamination well. The childminder provides snacks, such as fruit and vegetables for children, and they have access to drinks at all times so their needs are met well. 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 3 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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