Green, Maria Ann

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY409263 Inspection date 24/11/2010 Inspector Jan White

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and three school aged children in Shepway, Maidstone, Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are stairs to the bathroom on the first floor level. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two guinea pigs.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for four children in this age group on a part time basis. She also offers care to children aged over eight years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare is supported through the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Overall she has some procedures and systems in place to promote children's care and learning. Children play with a range of resources some of which reflects the world around them and most risk assessment procedures are in place. They seek comfort and appear secure, and at ease with the childminder. The childminder has fostered sound partnerships with parents and they are kept informed of the children's daily activities. The contributions from children and parents are valued. This supports each child's individual needs. The childminder has a sound understanding of her capacity for self-evaluation. She is proactive and records areas to expand further in order to build upon her continuous improvements.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure the is a record of the fire evacuation drill carried out with all the children  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for each specific outings or trip  ensure information is gathered from parents regarding children's starting points to make future planning more relevant and develop links with other agencies involved in children's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a sufficient knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children including the signs and symptoms of abuse. The child protection policy complies with Local Safeguarding Children Boards. She describes her understanding of the policy for lost or uncollected children, although, the recorded information does not clearly identify the full procedure to follow. Risk assessments are conducted and recorded within the home environment and for a few of the outings the children have taken part in. However, not all outings or visits to places of interest have been fully risk assessed. As a result, within the risk assessment report there are no details of how children are kept safe on all outings or trips. The fire blanket is fitted in the kitchen and there are smoke alarms on every level. The childminder works in partnership with the parents and they have provided the relevant written permissions. Parents comment about the variety and range of

p.5

the early years provision

different activities and how their child is more confident about separating from them. Older children describe the childminder as 'very nice and good fun'. The childminder describes the procedure for crossing roads safely. As a result, this helps children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe when on outings.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of equal opportunities. She promotes children's understanding of the world around them through the daily activities, and posters displaying positive images of diversity. She describes how each child is valued as an individual and she notes details of their background needs. This means that no child is disadvantaged and she supports each family according to their specific circumstances. The childminder attends relevant child care courses, such as observations, assessment and planning. She has a positive capacity for self-evaluation. The childminder takes a critical look at her practice and has a good action plan to develop her continuous improvement. She evaluates her strengths and assesses what works well or how to make changes to improve the outcomes for children. The childminder describes how she deals with a variety of different situations including behaviour management in a positive manner. She has an up-

p.5

the early years provision

to-date first aid certificate, which makes sure that children receive appropriate first aid treatment. Her first aid box is easily accessible and she takes basic supplies on outings. She has put into practice a sound system to make sure children's essential information is readily available when outside the home.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make some progress in areas of their learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are supported when making decisions. For example, as they choose resources for their role play or the modelling dough. Children are provided with a positive range of resources and activities some of which reflects equal opportunities. The planning system to make sure there is a balance of activities covering all the early learning goals is not yet embedded. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder adapts the activities to make sure that the individual needs of each child are adequately considered. The parents provide information regarding children's individual needs. However, the childminder has not yet devised a system to record details of their starting points and capabilities. In addition, this information is not always used in their initial assessment to make future planning

p.5

and outcomes for children

more relevant. The procedure to build links with other settings is not established. Children have frequent opportunities to enjoy and explore the outdoor environment. For example, they use the garden daily or are taken on local outings. As a result, they have many occasions to be outside in the fresh air and are encouraged to be active, and learn about the benefits of physical activity.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the opportunity to sing and dance. They follow the actions to popular songs. They learn at their own pace. This is supported by the childminder as she encourages children to achieve to their own satisfaction. She reminds them how to use the tools to cut the dough by using recent photos of them preparing a pumpkin for Halloween. Children take part in a number of activities which supports areas of their learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through the planning the childminder makes sure there is a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. She provides opportunities for children to be active and independent learners. The childminder describes how the premises are evacuated in an emergency. However, the emergency escape plan has not been practised with all children she currently cares for. She promotes children's well-being and offers healthy choices at lunch and snack times. She reminds younger children to drink

p.6

and outcomes for children

regularly and older children use the water dispenser to pour their own drinks. Children's understanding of appropriate hygiene practices is reinforced. Children use pump soap and individual coloured towels to dry their hands. They learn about the house rules, because the childminder gently reminds them to tidy the resources away so they are not a trip hazard. Resource boxes are labelled with pictures to encourage younger children's self help skills. The childminder promotes skills for each child's future economic well-being. There are regular opportunities for them to be active or take part in quieter activities. For example, reading books together or using the garden daily. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8