West, Maxine Amy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407151 Inspection date 26/11/2010 Inspector Tina Kelly

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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 registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged between two and 11 years old. They live in Flitwick in Bedfordshire. The whole of the home is used for childminding, although, children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. There is a secure garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range part-time through the week and short term arrangements around school times. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 provides a warm and interesting home environment for all children where they have their individual needs recognised and met. They are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides an appropriate range of outings, activities and opportunities based on the children's interests. Systems to identify the children's starting points are being established to ensure the next steps in their learning is planned for effectively. Appropriate documents are in place for the smooth running of the setting. Partnership with parents is effective, documents required for the welfare of the children and for the smooth running of the setting are in place. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her practice and is aware of the areas that need to be developed in order for her to maintain continuous improvements that will promote and improve outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure starting points are in place to enable planning to promote and extend children's learning

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. Suitability checks have been carried out on household members. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Information with regards to the Local Safeguarding Children Board is readily available to parents. Children are kept safe through well-managed supervision and effective risk assessments for all areas of the home, use of the car and outings. These identify and minimize hazards for all children. Well-organised policies and procedures underpin the childminder's care routines which ensure children's individual needs are recognised and met in full. Children are comfortable with nappy changes and are beginning to understand what is expected of them when potty training. Hand-washing is fully promoted prior to snacks and around the cloak room routines, the childminder uses disposable gloves to maintain a high

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive setting. Resources, activities and community events are used to promote the young children's understanding of the wider world and different cultures. Children are confident in accessing the good range of toys and resources that are stored at low-level around the home. The childminder knows the children well, she is aware of their different backgrounds and adapts and extends their routines and opportunities in line with their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is strong. Diaries are in place to share daily routines and activities the children have enjoyed. This enables the childminder to share play ideas that can be promoted at home. A questionnaire shows that parents are very pleased with the play, learning and care that the childminder provides. The childminder has established an effective self-evaluation process having identified the strengths and areas of her practice for development. She is aware of the training opportunities available through the early years development team and the local childminding support groups. The childminder is aware of the importance of establishing links with other early years settings to enable her to promote the children's social skills and learning opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a warm and interesting environment. They develop a warm and trusting relationship with their carer and the other children in the household. This greatly contributes to them feeling safe and secure. Children are very familiar with the day to day routines. They anticipate snack time and sit at the table with great delight. They clearly enjoy the varied range of fruit offered. A sample menu shows parents how the childminder provides healthy meals and snacks. Children have regular opportunities to develop an understanding of their own safety within the home. They are gently reminded not to tread on toys and to put them away before starting on other activities. Children's social skills are highly developed. Good manners and kindness is praised. They are beginning to understand how to play alongside each other, to share and to take turns.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn. She provides a wide range of free play resources to promote their independence. At the same times she offers adult led activities to give the children new experiences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They clearly enjoy sticking with leaves and glitter. The play dough is popular and develops the children's fine motor skills. The childminder gives consistent verbal support, explaining what is happening as the dough is mixed and squashed with the various implements provided. Regular outings to pre-school groups, activity sessions and children's farms are an important aspect of the children's routines throughout the year. This gives them many opportunities to learn about both their local community and the wider natural world.

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and outcomes for children

The children's portfolios record observations and assessments alongside many photographs that show the children take part in a wide variety of play and learning experiences. The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage is used effectively to identify the children's stages of learning and to plan for their future learning. However, their starting points and previous care experiences are not taken into account. This means that the planning and learning opportunities are not effectively based on their current achievements and experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children's language is fully supported as the childminder continually interacts and supports their play by repeating phrases and introducing new words as they explore and extend their play ideas. The childminder provides interesting activities and outings to ensure children's learning is developed as they make good progress towards the early learning goals. 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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