Livermore Tania Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY221627 Inspection date 02/02/2011 Inspector Sarah Williams

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 2002. She is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Child Care Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

She lives with her husband and two children in a house in Chelmsford, Essex. The whole of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children may be cared for. There are currently fourteen children on roll of whom three are in the early years age range.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder visits various local carer and toddler groups, the library and nearby park and playground.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make exceptionally good progress towards their early learning goals and have all their care and welfare needs extremely well met by the childminder. She has established highly effective partnerships with parents and other agencies to ensure children are safe and secure and their individual, unique needs are well known and acknowledged. The childminder is ambitious and visionary and demonstrates her capacity for continuous improvement in her professional attention to every aspect of her work. The self evaluation is detailed and realistic, with worthwhile, achievable aims and goals.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 continue with plans to achieve accredited status to be able to offer funded nursery care and education.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are well protected from any harm or neglect as all measures taken to safeguard them are rigorous and highly effective. The childminder is very well informed and her policies are reviewed in line with any new requirements and consistently applied. The home and garden are constantly assessed and maintained to a high standard. Children know what to do to keep themselves safe whether in the home as they negotiate stairs or when out and about by walking safely and observing simple rules. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The partnership with parents and others involved are seen as key to children's well being. The childminder has established excellent communications systems to ensure all information is shared where this is of benefit to children and maintaining confidentiality. A newsletter details significant events and daily diaries note personal care and routine matters, whilst children's developmental progress is

p.4

the early years provision

recorded in meticulous detail and shared regularly with parents and other family members. Transitions to pre-school or school are well thought out to remove anxieties and made as seamless as possible to serve children's best interests.

p.5

the early years provision

Equality and diversity are embedded in every aspect of the care and promoted explicitly through celebration of festivals and with books and craft activities. The childminder has researched extensively and has a wealth of knowledge regarding cultural and ethnic differences whether in food, customs or religious observance, and successfully integrates all children from a wide variety of heritages.

p.5

the early years provision

Children engage with an excellent range of resources presented in an accessible form for them to self-select. They have a dedicated playroom with superb visual ambiance created by displays, posters, lettering and stimulating toys and play materials to delight and inspire them.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder constantly and diligently reflects on her practice and has completed a self evaluation which realistically shows her strengths and areas for future development. She is able to talk about what changes she will make in the future to update and improve her service, taking into account the views and opinions of the children and parents. A questionnaire is used to glean parents' views and responses submitted in these are unfailingly positive, with parents stressing their satisfaction about the flexibility of approach and loving care extended to their children.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment which is designed to be child friendly and offer a 'home from home'. They have space to move about freely and make decisions about what to play with and how to structure their games and activities. They have healthy, nutritious food at snack and meal times, and all their dietary needs are well known, ensuring they only receive suitable food and drinks. Fresh air and exercise are a daily part of routine and children are challenged when they visit playgrounds and adventure centres with exciting, large equipment to explore. Children can relax or nap as they wish, so taking a break from activities is possible to recharge their batteries. Children learn about personal hygiene and wash their hands after using the bathroom, or use wipes at other times, to help prevent the spread of infection.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure and demonstrate this in their confident approach, as well as their obviously warm and friendly relationships with the childminder. They can communicate their needs and wishes and respond well to the simple rules of behaviour. Frequent outings to play centres, places of interest and activity parks allow children to engage with others and develop their social skills, so they begin This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to learn to share and take turns, whilst enjoying a vast range of innovative and stimulating activities, many of which are recorded in pictures allowing them to enthusiastically recall and share their experiences.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make exemplary progress in their learning and development. The childminder plans a full programme of theme based activities which flow together and cover all areas of learning. Photographs provide an excellent basis for the profiles which are skilfully annotated and include not only descriptions but also the context and how children responded. These also inform the next steps in learning, completing the planning cycle.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are active and inquisitive, their attitudes towards learning are very positive. A two year old decides to become a monkey so chooses the costume and, with help, is transformed. She studied herself in a mirror and, happy with the effect has her photograph taken. This leads her to want to take some pictures herself so she competently uses the camera to take a few snaps. Her assertive and confident approach suggests very high self-esteem and the ability to structure her own learning. The childminder sensitively balances children's initiatives with ideas and suggestions, providing challenges as well as reinforcing existing skills and knowledge.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children fully engage with technology and play with 'office' style equipment, emulating adults' use of mobile phones, keyboards and a computer mouse. They have a vast array of books and a wealth of printed material on display to promote literacy and recognition of numbers. Play with shopping trolleys and role play food promotes the development of problem solving whilst cooking brings concepts of weight and capacity into the play. By the high quality provision, children's skills for the future are nurtured.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Every aspect of children's welfare and development is expertly catered for in this outstanding setting and parents are reassured when leaving their children that they are safe, secure and exceptionally well looked after. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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