Widdicks, Katrina

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY410824 Inspection date 04/01/2011 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 June 2010. She lives with her husband and two year old daughter. The property is situated in Marston Mortainne, Bedfordfordshire and is close to shops, parks and schools. The ground floor of the premises and sleep facilities on the first floor are included in the registration and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time with no more than two children in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age range and one child in the later years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Overnight care is included in the registration. The family have no pets except for a small tank of fish. The childminder is a member of a local childminding group and 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

An inclusive and welcoming environment is provided and the childminder works in close partnership with parents to ensure children's individual needs are fully met. Children share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and are happy and secure in her care. They are making good progress in their learning as activities and play experiences are tailored to the developmental needs of individual children. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of children and has effective systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded and their welfare is protected. A process of self evaluation, to more closely monitor the quality of the service provided and to ensure continuous improvement, is in the early stages of development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a quality improvement system, such as self-evaluation, to more effectively monitor and extend effective practice to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

Safeguarding procedures are secure and children's welfare is protected. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection and how to protect children from harm as she has attended a safeguarding children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 course. All household members have had relevant background checks completed and an informative safeguarding policy, which details the procedures the childminder would follow if she did have a concern, is in place. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home. The childminder takes positive steps to keep children safe, such as using a safety gate to prevent children accessing the stairs and door safety stops are used to reduce the risk of children accidentally hurting their fingers in door hinges. The childminder ensures children are closely supervised at all times and written risk assessments and on-going visual

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the early years provision

assessments ensure the environment remains safe and children are protected.

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the early years provision

This is the childminders first inspection since registering and she has worked hard to develop a secure knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to promote children's well being is in place and well-organised. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and are informative. The childminder strives to provide a quality service and is, overall, aware of her key strengths and the areas she wishes to develop further. She undertakes some monitoring to ensure the quality of the provision is good, such as, seeking verbal feedback from parents. She also plans to introduce written parental questionnaires. A system of self evaluation, to more closely monitor the childminder's practice, has recently been implemented and the childminder plans to use this as a way of ensuring continuous improvement. The childminder understands the importance of

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the early years provision

professional development. She has attended a varied range of early years courses and workshops since registering as a childminder and has identified further training to increase her knowledge and enhance her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good organisational skills and she uses these to ensure children's care and learning are positively supported. Resources are accessible and developmentally appropriate, with the daily routine planned around the individual needs of children. The childminder values and appreciates the children in her care, and their families, and welcomes them into her home. She shows a strong commitment to inclusive practice and takes great care to find out about and meet children's specific needs. Parents are provided with good quality information and children benefit greatly from a two-way sharing of information between the childminder and parents. Effective settling-in procedures ensure children settle well and quickly develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness of liaising with other early years settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, to ensure continuity in children's care and

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements effective strategies to promote and safeguard the welfare of the children in her care. Their health is protected because there are clear procedures in place regarding sickness and medication and good hygiene practices are followed to minimise the risk of cross infection. Through effective guidance and support from the childminder, children learn about simple hygiene practices through their daily routine. Children participate in a varied range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities, which contribute to their good health and physical fitness. They are learning that exercise can be fun as they enjoy: going for walks; playing in the garden; regular visits to children's parks; and participating in music and movement sessions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a balanced healthy diet. Specific dietary requirements are discussed with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are catered for. Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating, such as, when they talk about fruit being good for their bodies.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is protected and they are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe. When out walking they discuss road safety and, when travelling in the childminder's car, know they must wear seat belts and sit in the correct car seats. At home children learn how to stay safe, such as, when they are reminded by the childminder not to climb on the sofa in case they fall and hurt themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Positive relationships between the childminder and children enable children to feel settled in the childminder's care and, consequently, children feel secure in their surroundings and are confident in their play. Through discussion they learn how to behave and regular praise and encouragement from the childminder develops children's self-esteem. Children are supported effectively and are encouraged to share and to take turns and are beginning to understand how their behaviour can have an impact on others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder effectively uses the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan a varied range of activities and play experiences for children. Planning is flexible, with activities being adapted to cater for individual children's needs and interests. Systems for observing and assessing children are informative and show children's progress and achievements over time. Children experience a varied range of play experiences which broadly cover the six areas of learning. They participate in a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play and are able to make independent decisions and choices with the environment organised so children can easily access most resources. The childminder supports children in their play, asking questions and engaging them in conversation, such as, when they look at books and read stories together. Children's creative skills are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged and they have regular opportunities to experience a variety of art and craft activities including painting, drawing, colouring, cutting and sticking. They enjoy the sensory experience of playing with dough, which they roll and cut into shapes. A varied range of resources are available to increase children's awareness of diversity and children participate in activities where they learn about other countries, cultures and religions. Children learn about the local community through regular outings and visits including regular attendance at local toddler groups. They learn about nature and the environment through regular nature walks. The childminder uses the daily routine and activities to incorporate children's problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. Children confidently count the steps when out walking and, when baking, are encouraged to weigh the ingredients. Children participate in activities and games which incorporate the use of colours, shapes

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and outcomes for children

and numbers, such as playing with shape sorters or jigsaws. They particularly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy playing the butterfly game which involves catching small plastic butterflies in a net and they are able to confidently recognise the colours of the butterflies as they catch them. 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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