Allmark, Louisa Joy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY385382 Inspection date 04/11/2010 Inspector Karen Prager

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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

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

This newly registered childminder lives with her husband and three school aged children in the Walcot area of Swindon. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children under eight years, of whom, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. There is currently one child aged two years on roll. Care is offered throughout the day until approximately 4.00pm. Access to the property is at street level. The whole of the home is included in the registration. Children generally play downstairs, with the bathroom and sleep facilities provided upstairs. The childminder is in contact with local childminders. She lives within walking distance of community facilities including parks, shops, library and schools. The childminder is also approved by the local authority to provide foster care to young children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are welcomed in to a warm and relaxed environment where they are settled and content. The childminder is supportive of children's individual needs and organises activities so that all are included. Effective relationships with parents ensure that general information is shared. Children are provided with a suitable range of activities both in and outside of the home. The childminding has started to evaluate her provision and has identified a number of areas for improvement, although this evaluation is in its early stages.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop robust systems for regular self assessment which lead to the clear identification of targets for further improvement  extend partnerships with all parents to share information and develop activities that build on the uniqueness of each child  ensure that the next steps identified for children's individual learning are used effectively to inform future planning so that activities build upon what children already know and can do

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are robust and the childminder ensures that children remain safe whilst in her care. Risks have been assessed and steps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 have been taken to make sure that these are minimized and children are closely supervised. The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow, should she have a concern about the welfare of a child in her care. The home is arranged with the needs of children in mind. The living room offers sufficient space for active play and rest. Toys are accessible in a large container within the room, and additional resources are stored where they may access them with support.

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the early years provision

The childminder extends her knowledge about childcare practice by attending training and by sharing good practice with other local childminders. She has started to reflect on the quality of the service she provides by completing a self- evaluation document. This has helped her identify areas for improvement, although the system of self-review is not yet robust enough to ensure that improvement is targeted and ongoing.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes positive relationships with parents and carers. Parents say that they have no concerns about the care their children receive, and that the children look forward to their time with the childminder. Before children start to attend, written policies are shared with parents, and information about the care that is offered is discussed. Initial information about the children is established, and this is built on throughout the time that the child attends through observation, assessment and further discussions when the child arrives or is collected. This dialogue does not currently extend to parents who do not visit the childminder's home. The childminder is aware of the importance of building effective relationships with other early years providers and professionals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and secure in the care of this childminder. They are cared for in a warm, friendly environment where they develop warm relationships with the childminder and her family. Children engage in a broad range of interesting activities, which helps them learn through play, investigation and everyday tasks. For example, cooking involves the children in mixing the ingredients and sharing with each other. They help to care for tomato and lettuce plants during the summer months. Children freely access toys from those accessible in the living room. They confidently move around the home to select what they would like to do. They choose a book to look at and bring this to the childminder, who sits and reads with the children. Visits to the local library build on this enjoyment of books. The childminder supports children appropriately in their play. She has a good understanding of how children learn through play, and

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and outcomes for children

interacts with them positively. Children sing songs at a local organised singing session. The childminder builds on this, when in her home, by playing recorded music. Children demonstrate their enjoyment of music and growing familiarity with the songs when they spontaneously dance and sing along, smiling broadly.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an appropriate system for recording her observations about their play and achievements, which she links to the Early Years Foundation Stage This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 framework. By doing this, she identifies some future development steps, although these are not always used to inform future planning, so that activities build upon what children already know and can do. Children behave very well. Children receive regular praise, which builds their self-esteem. As they sit for a mid-morning snack, the childminder supports children in completing a jigsaw puzzle and they learn to fit the pieces into the trays. The childminder is aware of the importance of healthy eating, and works with parents to meet children's dietary needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children become aware of how to keep themselves safe. They all participate in a fire evacuation practice. This is effectively planned and carried out to ensure that children become aware of the procedures to follow through active engagement. Daily walks around the locality and to collect children from pre-school, offer children opportunities of fresh air. As children grow, they are encouraged to walk short distances and develop an enjoyment of exercise. The children also have access to an enclosed garden. They play with a variety of resources including sand and water. Visits to a local toddler group, and the soft play facility, provide children with opportunities to develop further physical skills and confidence, as they play with children of a similar age. 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 3 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 3

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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

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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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