Griffin, Joanna

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY224582 Inspection date 01/02/2011 Inspector Anna Davies

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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 2002. She lives with two children aged 10 and 14 years in a village near to Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, the library, toddler groups, shops and parks. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years register as well as the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. This number increases to eight children under eight years, of whom no more that five may be in the early years age range, when working with her assistant. She is currently minding a total of eight children in the early years age group, all on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for two children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is working towards the Early Years and Childcare Quality Framework.

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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 make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder deploys her resources well and provides a wide range of stimulating learning opportunities for each child. She recognises each child's individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice so that all children feel secure, confident and valued. Positive relationships have formed with parents and a good range of policies and procedures are used effectively to safeguard children's health, safety and welfare.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement, she clearly understands her own strengths and has identified areas that she wishes to further develop in the future. She has a positive attitude towards self-evaluation, continuing to review her practice and plan for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider ways of incorporating on-going information from parents and other providers also caring for a child, to help build a complete picture and assessment of children's learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  record details of practised evacuation drills in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures. She regularly refreshes her training in child protection to ensure that her knowledge and understanding is kept up-to-date and relevant. She has a written policy in place and this is shared with parents so that they are aware of her duty to protect children. Thorough risk assessments are conducted and records maintained. Risk assessments show the childminder has a clear understanding of minimising risks to children and how she constantly reappraises the environment to ensure children's safety. For example, toys and equipment are regularly checked for safety and disposed of or replaced if they are unsafe. This ensures that children play in a very safe environment where hazards and risks are identified and minimised both on the premises and when on outings. The childminder is well organised. Clear documentation and good record keeping

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the early years provision

promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. However, although regular fire evacuation drills are practised with the children, these are not recorded so that they can be evaluated to help inform the effectiveness of future drills. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant that has undergone the required checks to ensure her suitability. The childminder further ensures her suitability with a clear induction process and by ensuring that she has a valid first aid certificate. Well maintained records are kept of the times when the assistant has sole charge of young children, which safeguards their welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly happy, settled and comfortable in her care. She gives all children equal levels of attention and interaction whilst ensuring that their individual needs are well met. The learning environment is very stimulating. The designated playroom is well-resourced with toys of good quality and condition. Displays of children's work and photographs on the walls give children a strong sense of belonging and make the environment bright and welcoming. Toys and resources are all stored at low level so that children can make independent choices in their play. Regular trips out to local toddler groups and places of interest offer children an extended range of activities as well as good opportunities to socialise with others.

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the early years provision

The childminder works positively in partnership with parents to ensure children's individual needs are fully met. A range of information is discussed and recorded when children start so that the childminder knows children's individual needs and backgrounds. Detailed daily diaries give parents clear information about their child's day and regular discussions between the childminder and parents contribute to positive partnership working. Parents share information on a regular basis with the childminder about what their children can do. However, this information is not yet used effectively to support and enhance assessment arrangements for each child to provide a complete picture of their learning and development. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder seeks parent's views about her service. Feedback from questionnaires issued is very positive, commenting that the childminder offers a 'homely' and

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the early years provision

'comfortable' environment. They also comment that they are 'very lucky we have such as great childminder'. The childminder has a positive attitude towards working with other providers when children attend more than one setting. Diaries travel between settings every few weeks which gives the childminder information about how the child has been, activities they have taken part in and significant achievements. However, no information is shared about children's next steps so that these can be fully supported between settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a firm commitment towards continuing to provide a good quality service for both children and parents. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help her formally evaluate her practice and demonstrates a good understanding of both her strengths and aspects she wishes to further develop. She also uses the Early years Quality Framework to consider her practice and create action plans for further development. This demonstrates her good capacity to improve.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of children's learning needs, interests, the stage of development they are at and the areas of development she wishes to promote next. She supports children's play and extends their learning effectively so that they make good progress. For example, she encourages them to solve simple problems as they learn how to construct a sturdy toy brick wall, asking them where they should fit the next brick so that the wall stands secure. She uses her skill, judgement and good knowledge of individual children to know when and how much support to offer. For example, when a child asks for her help to complete an inset puzzle she offers verbal prompts when necessary but sits back to allow the child to complete the puzzle by herself, an achievement the child takes pride in. Spontaneous learning opportunities are used well. For example, as children eat their raisins the childminder asks 'How many have you got left now?' which

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and outcomes for children

encourages their calculation skills. The childminder listens well to children as they discuss subjects important to them, such as, their family and how they feel today, this helps them build trust and good relationships with her.

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and outcomes for children

Planning is based on topics each month which incorporate a good range of art and craft activities, baking, traditional and multicultural festivals, books and songs and rhymes. Each child has an assessment file which contains a good range of information relating to individual children's learning and development. The childminder records regular observations across all areas of learning and identifies children's next steps. This information is then used to inform the delivery and support of the planned activities and activities that are child initiated.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy her company and some chat constantly to her which demonstrates this. Children behave well, enjoying good levels of adult attention and activities that interest This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them. They learn consideration for others as they are encouraged to share resources and reminded, for example, to ask politely if they wish another child to do something. Children are familiar with discussing their emotions and how they feel and a visual display also gives them opportunities to think about how others may be feeling too. Children have good opportunities to make marks with a variety of media which helps their early writing skills. They develop a love of books and the childminder encourages them to further interests such as 'dinosaurs' by using books to find out more. Children are beginning to recognise familiar letters, for

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and outcomes for children

example, in their name. The childminder filters number language and counting into everyday play situations and as a result, children independently demonstrate their increasing knowledge of numbers. For example, they talk about different people's ages, count out lollipop sticks and then calculate how many they have left when they have given their friend some. Children are developing an awareness of size as they declare 'I'm so big' against the height chart and reveal that they plan to use a 'tiny ladder' to get down from their chair to pick up dropped items. Children demonstrate curiosity as they notice that moving paper creates a breeze that blows pieces of cellophane that they are using, onto the floor. They show an increasing awareness about their natural environment, talking about the snow in the winter and why it has now melted. A good range of resources, activities and displays of positive images and different languages, enables children to begin to

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and outcomes for children

appreciate the diverse society in which they live. All of these simple activities lay secure foundations to support the children's future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical development is supported well. They enjoy daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the garden using a good range of play equipment as well as trips to the local parks and the participation in a range of physical activities at local toddler groups. They have good opportunities to develop their creativity through a wide range of art and craft, role play, imaginative play and music activities. Sensory activities such as play with jelly, spaghetti and cornflour and water mix, all help children to explore different textures and materials.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is effectively promoted. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. They follow good hygiene routines and child friendly posters remind them of the importance of hand washing. All meals and snacks are healthy, nutritious and balanced. The childminder gives careful consideration to ensuring that children have their 'five-a-day' and that all food groups are incorporated during the day. Children have free access to their drinks throughout their time at the childminders house which ensures that they remain well hydrated. Children begin to learn about healthy living through discussions about food such as those that make them 'big and strong'. Children feel safe and secure and this is demonstrated through their very contented and happy disposition. They begin to learn about their own safety through activities, such as, taking part in regular fire drills, planned activities about road safety as well as actively learning to cross

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and outcomes for children

roads safely when out and trips to the local fire station to learn more about the firefighters role in helping people to stay safe. Clear documentation is in place for the recording of any medication needing to be administered. Accident records are maintained effectively to ensure that all relevant information can be shared with parents. Both the childminder and her assistant hold valid first aid qualifications which ensures that they are both able to deal effectively with minor injuries. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of behaviour management. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 offers children praise for their efforts and achievements which boosts their self- esteem and confidence in their own abilities. 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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